Bighorn sheep winter closures are in effect

Starting on December 1st, crucial bighorn sheep winter ranges in Grand Teton National Park were closed to human entry in order to provide secure winter habitat for bighorn sheep. These areas are closed until April 1st. Areas encompass Prospector's Mountain and Mt. Hunt, including Peaks 10,988, 10,905, and 10,495, south-facing slopes on Mt. Hunt above 8,580 ft. and slopes of Static Peak above 10,890 ft. For maps of the closures, please visit:

http://www.jhalliance.org/dontpoach.pdf

Photo: Mark Gocke

Assignment Earth features Teton Sheep Project

A new video featuring the project has been featured on Assignment Earth, and will be released to PBS stations and Yahoo! News. You can watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/assignearth#p/u/1/sCpt51PRMAQ

Thanks to local reporter Rebecca Huntington and videographer Melinda Binks for producing this, and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for their cooperation with filming.

Above: Field technician, Walter Scherer, listens for collared sheep using radio-telemetry from the top of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Sheep Project Focus of Jackson Hole News & Guide Article

The Jackson Hole News & Guide published an article this week covering the backcountry recreation component of the Teton Bighorn Sheep Project. Read it here:

http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=5647

Winter Backcountry Recreation Component of Bighorn Sheep Study Continues

There is ample evidence that winter is the most difficult time of year for ungulates to survive. Deep snow, low forage availability, and increased caloric expenditure to maintain body heat, as well as energy demands of gestation in females, all contribute to the real risk of starvation. Bighorn sheep in the Teton Range have lost their historical migratory routes into the Jackson Hole and Teton valleys due to human development, and now winter on a limited number of wind-swept slopes and ridges at high elevation. Wildlife biologists are concerned that this small and genetically isolated bighorn sheep herd could experience significant mortality during winter. Therefore, we want to gain the most information possible about how these bighorn sheep use winter habitat in the Tetons, and which areas are most important to their survival.

We are continuing to collect backcountry recreation data in winter 2010, along with location data from GPS-collared bighorn sheep. In order to collect the most accurate and up-to-date data possible on backcountry recreation use patterns, we are randomly contacting backcountry users at 11 trailheads throughout the Teton Range and asking them to carry handheld GPS tracking units for the day. These GPS units provide detailed route information, which will be coupled with trail counter data to map patterns and intensity of use of various recreation routes.

This objective approach to measuring backcountry recreation will enable us to directly compare backcountry recreation with bighorn sheep movements. Since we will also have detailed location information of bighorn sheep movements during winters 2009 and 2010, we will be able to determine if and how bighorn sheep respond to various levels of human use in the backcountry. We appreciate the continued cooperation from local backcountry users in collecting this valuable information, and recognizing the value in developing effective ways to share the backcountry with bighorn sheep. Please contact the project lead, Aly Courtemanch (acourtem@uwyo.edu) with any questions.

Photos: Doug Brimeyer, Aly Courtemanch