2025Vol42No3NBUJournal

NDOW & PARTNERS CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH A $1.3 MILLION DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP PROJECT

By Joe Bennett, NDOW Wildlife Staff Specialist

The Nevada Department of Wildlife and partners recently completed one of the largest and most urgent desert bighorn sheep conservation projects in the state’s history. The exhaustive effort to protect and manage sheep populations in Southern Nevada was made necessary by one of the driest years on record in Southern Nevada. Drought conditions have continued in portions of southern Nevada through the summer of 2025. Water hauls in the Last Chance and McCoullough Ranges were completed as recent as late August. Approximately $1.3 million was raised for the project and the funding generated, along with Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid funds, will be used if drought conditions persist to conduct aerial water hauls and potential bighorn sheep captures.

The project consisted of emergency water hauls, installation of remote water monitoring devices on multiple guzzlers, disease sampling, and clearances and agreements for establishment of a new bighorn herd, all followed by a remarkable two-week aerial capture and relocation effort. With critical water sources dried up or nearly so, emergency water hauls began in December 2024. In all, NDOW personnel and dedicated volunteers delivered over 148,000 gallons to 32 guzzlers across 17 mountain ranges, (122,000 gallons, 27 remote guzzlers by helicopter). At the same time, remote monitoring systems (Ranchbots) were installed to enable real time tracking of guzzler water levels. The final phase of the project was completed during the month of June with 139 sheep being captured and translocated from the Muddy and Black Mountains to Nevada’s Cortez Range, Tobin Range and Utah’s Promontory Point bighorn nursery. Over the six capture days, 57 sheep were translocated to the Cortez Range, 43 sheep were translocated to the Tobin Range and 38 sheep were translocated to Utah. To date the captures have been a success for Nevada. Of the 43 sheep that were translocated into the Tobin Range, there have been three mortalities. Of the 57 sheep translocated to the Cortez, there have been two mortalities. This project and all of its collective pieces and efforts have not only sustained crucial water resources but also reduced herd numbers and relieved pressure on drought-stressed vegetation and habitats. NDOW will continue to monitor habitat conditions and water levels, being prepared to respond should extreme drought conditions return. NDOW would like to thank all our conservation partners who pitched in and volunteered or provided funding for this monumental project. A huge thank to the following local and State of Nevada organizations and agencies: Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (Reno, Elko & Fallon), Wildlife Habitat Improvement of Nevada (WHIN), Meadow Valley Wildlife Unlimited, Nevada Dream Tag, Nevada Wildlife Record Book, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners Heritage Account, Valley of Fire State Park, various private landowners and NDOW staff from all of its Divisions and Regions along with national organizations and agencies including KUIU Conservation Direct, Grand Slam Club - OVIS, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Bureau of Land Management, Huntin’ Fool, GOHUNT, Wild Sheep Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah Partners; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Utah Wild Sheep Foundation.

Together, we’re keeping Nevada’s desert bighorn sheep on the landscape. It doesn’t happen without all of us!

16

NBU Journal . Volume 42 . Number 3