Montana Public Comment Sought on Bighorn Sheep Release Proposal
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 09.19.13
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment for the proposed reintroduction of bighorn sheep to Indian or Wolf Creek in the Madison mountain range.
Specifically, FWP proposes to trap up to 50 bighorn sheep – preferably from another Madison range herd in the Quake Lake area – and release them into one of the aforementioned locations in the winter of 2013 – 2014. The goal of the proposed action is to establish a viable and huntable long-term population of bighorn sheep.
FWP Area Biologist Julie Cunningham identified the release areas as potentially ideal for sheep reintroduction. “There is evidence showing bighorn sheep once occupied these areas decades ago,” Cunningham said. “Our models show this will make a great wintering habitat.”
The draft environmental assessment is available in print in Bozeman at the FWP Region 3 office (1400 S. 19th Ave.) or FWP’s headquarters in Helena (1420 E. 6th Ave.). The digital version can be downloaded from FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov under Recent Public Notices.
Comments on the environmental assessment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on October 16, 2013, and may be emailed to juliecunningham@mt.gov or mailed to Julie Cunningham, Bozeman Area Biologist, 1400 S. 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718.
