Recovery Program
- Sierra Bighorn Facts
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Sierra Nevada Bighorn
Sheep Program
407 West Line St.
Bishop CA 93514
(760) 872-1171
asksnbs@wildlife.ca.gov
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program Literature
Recent Publications
on Sierra Bighorn
A Decade in Review (5 Mb) DFW (2012)
Evaluating apparent competition
Oecologica (2012)
Population Genetic Effects
Con. Biology (2011)
Disease Risk &
Population Viability
J. Wildl Manage (2011)
Domestic sheep, bighorn sheep, and respiratory disease DFW (2011)
Population Dynamics
J. Applied Ecology (2010)
Demographic Rates
Ecological Appl. (2010)
Key: P - Peer Reviewed Publication, D - Dissertation, T - Thesis, R - Other Reports
The following links will open PDF files of requested documents.
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program Quarterly and Semi-Annual Reports (2007 - present)
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Annual Population Monitoring Reports (1979 - present)
- May 2010-April 2011 (5 Mb)
- May 2009-April 2010
- May 2008-April 2009
- May 2007-April 2008
- May 2006-April 2007
- May 2005-April 2006
- May 2004-April 2005
- Jan 2003-December 2003
- Jan 2002-December 2002
- Jan 2001-December 2001
- Jan 2000-December 2000
- Jan 1999-December 1999
- 1998 Survey Results
- 1995-97 Status
- 1995 Status
- 1994 Mount Baxter herd census
- 1993 Lee Vining Status
- Population dynamics and movement patterns of bighorn sheep reintroduced in the Sierra Nevada, California
- 1991 Wheeler Ridge Survey
- Results of the 1990 census of the Mt. Langley bighorn sheep
- 1989 Status of bighorn sheep in California
- Historical Demographics
- 1987 Status Mount Baxter
- Mountain sheep in California: A historical perspective
- 1986 Wheeler Ridge and Mt. Langley Survey Results
- 1982 Mount Baxter herd census
- Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep: History and population ecology
- The Relocation of Bighorn Sheep in the Sierra Nevada of California
- The Mount Baxter herd: Past and future census
- Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep: An analaysis of management alternatives
Demography and Management
- P - Johnson, H. E., Mills, L. S., Wehausen, J. D. , Stephenson, T. R. and Luikart, G. Translating Effects of Inbreeding Depression on Component Vital Rates to Overall Population Growth in Endangered Bighorn Sheep. Conservation Biology, Volume 25, No. 6, 1240–1249. Blackwell Publishing, Ltd.; 2011.
- P - Johnson, H. E., Mills, L. S., Wehausen, J. D. and Stephenson, T. R. Combining ground count, telemetry, and markresight data to infer population dynamics in an endangered species. Journal of Applied Ecology 47:1083-1093. Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.
- P - Johnson, H. E., Mills, L. S., Stephenson, T. R and . Wehausen, J. D. Population-specific vital rate contributions influence management of an endangered ungulate. Ecological Applications pp. 1753-1765. Ecological Society of America.; 2010.
- P - Williams, R. D. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) and Taxonomic Revision. US Federal Register. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2008.
- P - Thompson, S. Recovery plan for the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. United States Fish and Wildlife Services; 2007.
- R - Ernest H. B. Captive breeding Contingency plan: A Guide for Captive Breeding of Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep. Report for Interagency Agreement # P9980059 between California Department of Fish and Game and Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis CA. 12/15/2001.
- R - Wehausen, J.D.An Analysis of Translocation Options for the Recovery of Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep. California Department of Fish and Game; 6/1998.
- R - Sierra Nevada Interagency Advisory Group. A Conservation Strategy of Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep. California Department of Fish and Game; 5/1997.
- P - Bleich, V. C., Wehausen, J.D., K. R. Jones and R. A. Weaver. Status of bighorn sheep in California, 1989 and translocations from 1971 through 1989. Desert Bighorn Council 1990 Transactions. Desert Bighorn Council; 1990.
- R - Wehausen, J. D. A history of bighorn sheep management in the Sierra Nevada. Preceedings of the State of the Sierra Symposium. State of the Sierra Symposium; 1988.
- R - Sierra Nevada Interagency Advisory Group. Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery and Conservation Plan. California Department of Fish and Game; 9/1984.
Habitat Use and Modelling
- P - Schroeder, C. A., Bowyer, R.T., Bleich, V.C. and Stephenson, T.R. Sexual segregation in Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis sierrae: Ramifications for conservation . Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 476-489. Regents of the University of Colorado; 2010.
- T - Greene, L. Short-term effects of wildfire on Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep habitat ecology. Thesis, University of Montana. University of Montana; 2010.
- T - Latham, E. L. S. Changes in bighorn sheep habitat of the Sierra Nevada. Thesis, University of Calgary. University of Calgary; 9/1/2010.
- T - Schoeder, C. Sexual segregation and foraging ecology of sierra nevada bighorn sheep during winter. Thesis, Idaho State University. Idaho State University; 6/1/2007.
- R - Johnson, H. E., Bleich, V. C.. and Stephenson, T. R. Habitat selection by mountain sheep and mule deer: A step toward understanding ecosystem health from the desert to the alpine. Department of fish and game resource assessment program: Final report. University of California Davis Wildlife Health Center; 5/15/2005.
- R - Wehausen, J. D. The role of precipitation and temperature in the winter range diet quality of mountain sheep of the Mount Baxter herd, Sierra Nevada. Biennial Symposium of North American Wild Sheep and Goat Council 8:279:292. North American Wild Sheep and Goat Council; 1992.
- P - Wehausen, J. D., Bleich, V. C. and Weaver, R.A. Mountain sheep in California: A historical perspective. Transactions Western Section The Wildlife Society 23:65:74. The Wildlife Society; 1987.
Disease Transmission
- R - Wild Sheep Working Group. Recommendations for Domestic Sheep and Goat Management in Wild Sheep Habitat. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 2012.
- P - Kelley, S. T., Ramey II.. R. R. and Wehausen, J. D. Domestic sheep, bighorn sheep, and respiratory disease: a review of the experimental evidence. California Fish and Game 97(1). California Department of Fish and Game; 2011.
- P - Cahn, M. L., Connor, M. M., Schmitz, O. J., Stephenson, T. R. Wehausen, J. D. and Johnson, H. E. Disease, Population Viability, and Recovery of Endangered Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep. The Journal of Wildlife Management 75(8):1753–1766; 2011; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.232. The Wildlife Society; 11/2011.
- R - Gonzales, B. J. High Risk Behavior for Wild Sheep: Contact with Domestic Sheep and Goats. Wild Sheep Foundation. Winter 2010.
- R - Croft, B., Haworth, M., Hennessy, M.B., Mazur, R., Nelson, S., Perloff, R., Robson, J. and Stephenson, T.R. Application of the document entitled a process for identifying and managing risk of contact between Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and domestic sheep. U.S. Forest Service. U.S. Forest Service; 2010.
- R - Baumer, A. East, N., Echenique, J., Hayworth, M., Leinassar, M. F., Papouchis, C., Stephenson, T., Weaver, D., Wilson, G. A process for identifying and managing risk of contact between Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and domestic sheep. U.S. Forest Service. U.S. Forest Service; 2009.
- P - Clifford, D. L, Schumaker, B. A., Stephenson, T. R., Bleich, V. C., Cahn, M. L., Gonzales, B. J., Boyce, W. M. and Mazet, J. A. K. Assessing disease risk at the wildlife-livestock interface: A study of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. Biological Conservation. 2009, 42: 2559-2568.. Elsevier; 2009.
- R - Clifford, D.L, Schumaker, B.A., Stephenson, T.R., Bleich, V.C., Leonard-Cahn, M., Gonzales, B.J., Boyce, W.M. and Mazet, J.A.K. Modeling risks of disease transmission from domestic sheep to bighorn sheep: Implications for the persistence and restoration of an endangered endemic ungulate. Department of fish and game resource assessment program: Final report. University of California Davis Wildlife Health Center; 2/9/2007.
- R - Leonard-Cahn, M. and Stephenson, T.R. The efficacy of measures to minimize contact between domestic sheep and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Mono County, California. California Fish and Game 94(4): 155-168. California Department of Fish and Game; 2008.
Predation
- R - Davis, J. L., S. W. Carlson, C. C. Coolahan and D. L. Orthmeyer. Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program: The role of USDA Wildlife Services, 1999-2011. USDA Wildlife Services Report. 12/2012.
- P - Johnson, H. E., Hebblewhite, M.H. , Stephenson, T.R. , German, D.W. Pierce, B.M. and Bleich,V. B. Evaluating apparent competition in limiting the recovery of an endangered ungulate. Oecologica. DOI 10.1007/s00442-012-2397-6. 2012.
- P - Villepique, J.T., B. M. Pierce,V. C. Bleich,and R. T. Bowyer. Diet of cougars (Puma conolor) following a decline in a population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus): lack of evidence for switching prey. Southwestern Naturalist 56(2):187-192. 2011.
- R - Bleich, V. C. and B. M. Pierce. Cougar management guidelines. Records of North American Big Game, 12th Edition. Conservation Connection; 2007.
- R - Pierce, B. M. and Bleich, V.C. Mountain lion. Wild Mammals of North America. The Johns Hopkins University Press; 10/21/2003.
- R - Stevens, E. H. Predator damage management to protect the federally endangered bighorn sheep, California. USWS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 12/1/1999. ( 7 Mb PDF)
- P - Wehausen, J. D. Effects of mountain lion predation on bighorn sheep in the Sierra Nevada and Granite Mountains of California. Wildlife Society Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 3: pp. 471-279. The Wildlife Society; 1996.
Species Designation
- P - Wehausen, J. D., Bleich, V. C. and Ramey, R.R. II. Correct nomenclature for Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. California Fish and Game 91(1) 000:000. California Department of Fish and Game; 2005.
- P - Wehausen, J. D. and Ramey, R.R. II. Cranial morphometric and evolutionary relationships in the northern range of Ovis canadensis. Journal of Mammology, 81(1):145-151, 2000. American Society of Mammologists; 2000.
Endangered Species Listing and Environmental Assessment
- R - Notice of Determination(NOD): US Forest Service Environmental Assessment for Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (CDFW, Sept 2012)
- R - Notice of Intent (NOI): Inyo National Forest Environmental Assessment - Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (CDFW, Sept 2012)
- R - Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI): Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (USFS, June 2012)
- R - Environmental Assessment (EA): Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (USFS, May 2012)
- R - Environmental Assessment (EA) - Appendix A: Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (USFS, May 2012)
- R - Environmental Assessment (EA) - Appendix B: Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (USFS, May 2012)
- R - Environmental Assessment (EA) - Appendix C: Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (USFS, May 2012)
- R - Environmental Assessment (EA) - Appendix D: Capturing Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Within Portions of the Ansel Adams, Hoover, John Muir, Golden Trout, and South Sierra Wilderness Areas (USFS, May 2012)
- R - Notice of Determination: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks EA (CDFW, Oct 2011)
- R - Notice of Intent: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park EA (CDFW, Oct 2011)
- R - Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Environmental Assessment: Research and Recovery Actions (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, June 2011)
- R - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Minimum Tool Analysis (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, June 2011)
- R - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Finding of No Significant Impact (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, August 2011)
- R - 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation (USFWS, 09/30/2008)
- R - Designation of Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) and Taxonomic Revision; Final Rule. (Federal Register: 73 FR 45534 45604, 08/05/2008)
- R - Final Recovery Plan for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) (USFWS, 02/13/2008)
- R - Recovery Plan for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana). (Federal Register: 73 FR 8345 8346, 02/13/2008)
- R - ETWP; Final Rule To List the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment of the California Bighorn Sheep as Endangered. (Federal Register: 65 FR 20 30, 01/03/2000)
- R - Environmental Assessment (EA) For the Management of Mountain Lions to Protect Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep: Finding of No Signinificant Impact. (USFWS, 01/03/2000)
- R - ETWP; Emergency Rule To List the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment of California Bighorn Sheep as Endangered. (Federal Register: 64 FR 19300 19309, 04/20/1999)
Outdoor California
- R - Outdoor California (PDF) (CDFW, 2006)
- R - Outdoor California (PDF) (CDFW, 2004)