Bighorn Sheep

January 24 Bighorn Sheep Project Update

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Previous closure orders and maps relied heavily on descriptions using township, range, and sections or portions of sections for boundaries. Wilderness visitors often found these confusing and difficult to determine exactly where the boundaries are”, said Deputy District Ranger Shalonda Guy. “The new map makes those boundaries much easier to identify”.
Of particular note is the inclusion of the Ventana Canyon Trail in this order – previously excluded until it’s junction with the Esperero Trail.

State Wildlife Official Delay Bighorn Information Release

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Ariz. wildlife agency delays information on bighorns – “State wildlife officials declined Friday to provide current information on a controversial bighorn sheep reintroduction in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. They said news reporters and the public will have to wait for biweekly updates to learn if more bighorn sheep have died in addition to the five deaths previously reported.” – disappointing access to information from a government agency when people are interested in a project. Another interesting quote from the article – Randy Serraglio from the Center for Biological Diversity “You’re sensationalizing this story so you can sell papers. You’re obsessed with this lions versus sheep issue.”