Officials estimate 40 percent loss of bighorn herd




JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - The population of bighorn sheep in herd near Jackson dropped about 40 percent over the winter, according to recent surveys.




State researchers aren't sure what caused the high death rate, but veterinarians speculate that stress from drought and poor forage led to a pneumonia outbreak.




"It's a lot higher than we wanted," Game and Fish biologist Doug Brimeyer said of the death rate. He added that a pneumonia outbreak can claim up to 60 percent of a herd.




Last fall, there were about 500 animals in the Jackson herd, which ranges from south of Hoback Junction through the Gros Ventre drainage and to the upper Green River area.




In response to the population decline, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to voluntarily give up their permits this year.




Game officials had already reduced the number of permits issued in the Jackson area to 16, down from 28 last year.




Preference points will be reinstated for hunters who turn in their permits, which increases their odds of drawing a license in the future, Brimeyer said.




Because of last winter's die-off in the Jackson herd, Game and Fish may issue fewer hunting permits for at least the next five years while the population recovers, Brimeyer said. If sheep continue to be stressed by poor habitat and forage, the limits may last longer.




Despite the high death rate in the Jackson herd, surveys of other herds show that the overall sheep population survived the winter.




Meanwhile, the number of lambs born this year varied by location, with some areas showing low numbers and others fairly high, Brimeyer said.




Hunters who want to turn in their permits for the year can contact the Wyoming Game and Fish License Review Board at 800-842-1934.