The second super tag drawing!

Second Super Tag Drawing

A big congratulations goes out to the latest Idaho Super Tag winners.  Have a wonderful year!

Super Combo –

Larry Lansdowne – Boise

Deer -

Richard Ruth – Boise

Carl Rey – Meridian

Elk -

Ramon Lizaso – Boise

John Silva – Anderson, CA

Pronghorn -

Donald Colter – Boise

Doug Howard – Castleford

Moose -

Robert Downing – Hayden Lake

Thanks, to my little busy bees down at the Fish and Game.  You are great help!

Idahoans not happy with the wolf Quotas

By Roger Phillips

Idaho Statesman.com

Some hunters say the harvest limit set by Idaho Fish and Game commissioners Monday isn’t high enough. Environmental groups, meanwhile, think the limit is too high and may ask a judge to block hunting.

In addition to the sport harvest of 220, the Nez Perce Tribe could take 35 of Idaho’s estimated 1,000 wolves.

The group Defenders of Wildlife said in a news release Monday that it plans to seek an injunction to stop the hunt.

Wolf hunting in some parts of the state will start Sept. 1 unless Defenders of Wildlife and other environmental groups can stop it. Tags are scheduled to go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday.

The Fish and Game Commission voted 4-3, with the minority favoring a larger harvest limit that would have allowed hunters to kill almost 50 percent of Idaho’s wolves.

Some commissioners were concerned that the higher limit would provoke a judge to stop the hunt, which happened last year.

“An injunction did play a role. It was a tough decision,” commission chairman Wayne Wright of Twin Falls said.

Wright was in the minority that favored the higher harvest limit of 430 wolves.

Another Fish and Game commissioner said Idaho hunters probably won’t reach the 220 limit anyway, and setting it higher would invite more outrage and legal opposition.

“We will be lucky to hit probably half the hunter harvest limits,” Commissioner Tony McDermott of Sagle said.

Fish and Game officials predict very low success rates for wolf hunters despite expecting to sell 70,000 tags. Resident tags will cost $11.75.

That’s too many dead wolves for the environmental groups that filed a lawsuit to put them back on the endangered species list.

“We believe that any level of hunting an imperiled wolf population is inappropriate,” said Jenny Harbine, attorney for Earthjustice, which represents the environmental groups that filed the lawsuit.

Harbine cited the 2008 federal court ruling that genetic exchange between individual populations of wolves throughout the region wasn’t adequate. Increased mortality under state management would limit genetic exchange, she said.

Montana already has set its quota at 75 wolves, or about 15 percent of that state’s population.

Fish and Game officials say Idaho’s wolf population is growing at about 15 to 20 percent annually. The department wants to reduce the population to about 520.

Nate Helm, Idaho president of the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, favors reducing wolf numbers nearer to the 150-animal minimum outlined in the state’s federally approved wolf management plan.

Tell O’Neal, an Idaho elk hunter who started the Web site www.huntwolves.com, said it’s time to maintain a balance between wolves, elk and hunters.

“People are ready to start hunting wolves,” O’Neal said.

“I think it (wolf hunting) is inevitable, and this is the year they need to set a precedent.”

WOLF ZONE LIMITS

Idaho intends to manage wolf populations in 12 different zones. Each zone has its own harvest limit. When a zone limit is met, wolf hunting will stop in that zone. When the statewide harvest limit of 220 is met, all wolf hunting will stop.

• Panhandle    30
• Palouse-Hells Canyon   5
• Lolo    27
• Dworshak-Elk City    31
• Selway   17
• Middle Fork   17
• Salmon   16
• McCall-Weiser   15
• Sawtooth   55
• Southern Mountains   10
• Upper Snake   5
• South Idaho   5

Idaho sets Quota for Wolves

Idaho Fish & Game Commission Sets Wolf Hunt Limits
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, Monday, August 17, set harvest limits for Idaho’s first public wolf hunting season this fall.

Fish and Game models indicate Idaho now has at least 1,000 wolves. The population increases at a rate of about 20 percent a year, without hunting.

The commissioners adopted a strategy that would help meet the state’s wolf population objective, as outlined in the 2008 Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan.

Hunters will be allowed to take up to 220 wolves this fall and winter. Wolf tags go on sale at 10 a.m. August 24, at all license vendors. A resident tag costs $11.75, and a nonresident tag costs $186.

One of the commission’s top considerations is retaining state management of Idaho’s growing wolf population. Idaho has an approved wolf management plan, developed with public involvement. The plan was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and found acceptable by a federal judge.

The commissioners’ decision is consistent with the population goals set out in the plan.

In 1995 and 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced 35 wolves to central Idaho. Since then they have increased in numbers and expanded their distribution.

Fish and Game has a responsibility to manage those wolves in balance with their prey and their habitat – just as the agency manages other fish and wildlife species. As with other species, hunting seasons on wolves would be part of managing the population.

A wolf hunting season gives Idaho Fish and Game an opportunity to learn how public hunting fits into managing wolves. As Fish and Game learns how effective regulated hunting is, seasons can be adjusted in areas where wolves are causing unacceptable problems for big game herds or domestic livestock.

Wolf managers will use the harvest limits the same way already used effectively with other species that Fish and Game manages. When limits are reached, the season ends.

The commissioners set harvest limits for each of the state’s 12 wolf management zones. When the limit is reached in a zone, the season would close in that zone.

Commissioners want to manage the wolf population toward the 2005 level of 520 wolves through regulated hunting (five-times higher than the federal recovery goal). The 2005 wolf population figure was used as a target number because wolf conflicts both with wildlife and livestock increased significantly that year.

Wolves in Idaho and Montana were removed from the endangered species list in May and have been managed under state law since then. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rule delisting wolves, however, faces challenges in federal court. The outcome of those challenges could affect Idaho wolf hunting season.

BROADHEADS

Trophy Takers Shuttle T-lock

The most important part of all archery equipment is arguably the broadhead. Achieving success while archery hunting requires a fast, strong, accurate, quiet broadhead that cuts a big wound channel.   The Shuttle T-Lock by Trophy Taker is my broadhead of choice.

Over the last four years my archery equipment has gone through many changes.  However two things have stayed constant with my gear, my Hoyt bows and the Shuttle T-Lock broadheads.  When you find something that works, stick with it.  I have never had a T-lock broadhead fail me. From their thick non-vented, stainless steal blades to their patented T- Locking blades, they are guaranteed not to fail. These broadheads are bullet proof and fly as true as field points.

From the smallest of big game to the largest, these blades cut wide wound channels and get 4 to 6 inches deeper penetration than expandable broadheads.  When it comes to the fast bows of today, the shuttle T-lock is the perfect fit.  They have a smaller over all blade diameter with thicker shuttle cut blades and they slice thought the air with ease when shot through the high speed bows of today.

Like I said earlier, I have shot Shuttle T’s for a number of years and have been blessed to harvest some quality animals.  Even when the shot was a marginal hit, the blade did its job and the game was recovered.  My 2006 elk was quartering to me as I shot at 20 yards.  The bull ran 40 yards and fell over dead.  When I approached the elk, I was shocked to see a five inch wide cut into the front shoulder.

Idaho Archery elk 325 inches, 20 yard quartering to shot

My Alberta mule deer was my first mule deer with a bow.  It was a sixty yard shot.  The broadhead went clean through the front shoulder and stuck in the off side shoulder.  The buck ran 70 yards and expired in the cattails.   When we open the deer, I found myself shocked to see that the shuttle T  went through the shoulder blade and both sides of the rib cage before lodging in the offside shoulder and that was at sixty yards!  My arrow should have been 6 inches further back, but the broadhead still did its job.  Pretty impressive for a marginal shot!

The Alberta #2 Pope and Young mule deer,  195 4/8 net inches. (hard horned).

Trophy Takers Shuttle T-lock broadheads

• Pro’s- Toughest, quietest, most accurate broadhead I have shot.  The proof is in the pictures.
• Con’s- Shooting the vanes off of my arrows at 80 yards.  Who would have thought a broadhead could be this accurate.
• Company- Great people.  I have spoken with Jerrod Lile on the phone on a number of occasions.  We got along like two old college buddies.

A cool Texas double dropper white tailed deer harvested with the Hoyt and A Shuttle T-Lock.

A Pope and Young black bear from forty yards with the Hoyt and a Shuttle T-lock broad head

Good Friend, Dan Morrow, with his #2 Oregon Non-Typical Elk.  Harvested w/ a Hoyt and the Shuttle T broadhead.

I can’t wait to try out the new Terminal T-lock broadheads by Trophy Taker, due out this summer!  They look like one wicked little broadhead.

Steve Alderman

Founder, Muledeercountry.com

Muzzleloaders

Thompson Center Arms

Endeavor 50 Cal. Muzzleloader

When I started this web site, it was for the easy money. Why not be techie?  How hard could it be to make millions on-line? Well, after several months my focus has changed from the millions of dollars, which never showed up, to just plain old enjoying writing about what we experience in the great outdoors. Pretty cool job, huh? I think so! However, I am still waiting for the Wells Fargo truck to show up at the front door with a pile of money, but I’m not holding my breath.

When Thompson Center Arms sent me their new Endeavor to put through the ringer, I was shocked.  So I won’t make millions, but I get to try out some pretty neat gear!  I’m all for that.  Who wouldn’t be?

Right out of the box this gun has all the bells and whistles with a  Flex tech Stock, Speed Breach XT, Energy Burners, Power Rod, and the QLA Quick Load Accurizor.  But can it shoot?  It sure looks pretty but I had my doubts. I’m a simple guy  who likes simple things.  The more simple the better when it comes to muzzleloaders has always been my motto.  However, the older I get it seems that easier  just might be better. Easier, like the Speed Breech XT.  It doesn’t get any easier than this.  No need for tools, just a 90 degree turn with your fingers and your breech plug is out.  The QLA eliminates the need for a ball starter because the bullet starts with ease.  The  new ergonomic power rod provides a more comfortable and less painful grip when seating the bullet.  No more sore palms at the range.  The Flex Tech Stock with Energy Burners is a shoulder saver.  It takes over 50 percent of the felt recoil away from your shoulder and dampens the sound by up to 20 percent.  We all know muzzleloaders kick harder then modern rifles and the new technology in this stock keeps us at the range longer and helps dramatically with shooters pull (flinch). But, can it shoot?

AT THE RANGE

Right off the UPS truck I headed to Cabelas to purchase the recommended shooting supplies.  TC recommends a sabot through their fast twist barrel.  So I went with the TC Shock Waves in the 300 grain weight and triple seven FFG loose powder. I drove out to the property and began to shoot.  Initially I set the target at 100 yards for the first three shots to gauge the guns accuracy.  To my amazement the first shot hit 2 1/2 inches high of the bulls eye.  Beginners luck, I mean right out of the box and the gun is sighted in? Second shot 1 inch high of bulls eye and the third shot touched the first shot.  Ok maybe this gun with all this fancy new stuff can shoot and right out of the box. Needless to say, I stuck around till dark shooting my new Endeavor just enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells that come with hunting and shooting a front stuffer. This gun is a shooter!!!!

So there might not be millions of dollars in the web-site business, but the fringe benefits are worth a million dollars to me. Now, if only I could turn this into a full time gig!

Making the TC Endeavor Legal in Idaho’s muzzleloader hunts

What a challenge this turned out to be.  In Idaho you can only use a muzzleloader in a muzzleloader hunt that meets the following requirements;

• Loaded with loose powder.  The Endeavor can be loaded with loose powder.
• Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 inch of bore diameter.  The Endeavor will accept this projectile.
• Must use round ball or lead conical.  100% lead, non-jacketed.  Can the Endeavor handle shooting a conical?
• Equipped only with a musket or percussion cap! The Endeavor does not use either.
• The cap must be exposed or visible to the elements when cocked.  The Endeavors breech is not exposed.
• Open or Peep sights only. The Endeavor has open sights.

Off to the gun smith

“ The Thompson Center Arms alteration I am posting is purely experimental with INSUFFICIENT TESTING data to determine “no risk of injury” to the end user. Therefore in the interest of SAFETY and liability, please be informed that if you construct and use any altered guns or parts,  you do so at your own risk and responsibility, and I assume no liability or responsibility should injury or death occur in their use.”

To get the Endeavor to shoot a number 11 percussion caps, the Endeavors breech plug will have to be drilled, tapped and re-milled.  Drilled and tapped to accept the number 11 nipple, then re-milled so the cap is exposed to the elements.  In the picture below, the left breech plug is an original and the right breech plug is after the gun smith worked it. (NOTE….  Thompson Center Arms does not recommend altering their breech plugs or firing pins.)  I just wish that Thompson Center Arms would offer this breech and firing pin as an option to the Endeavor.  The gun would then be legal to use in Idaho, Oregon and Washington right out of the box.

After drilling, tapping, and re-milling it was time to focus on the firing pin.  It need to be altered so that it would fire number 11 percussion caps.  The firing pin needed to have a 1/4 inch flat striking surface instead of a normal firing pin that comes with the Endeavor.  Again the gun smith got to work on the Endeavor.  A couple of days and a number of firing pins (strikers) later and the gun smith had my new and now legal in Idaho Endeavor firing 100% of the time. The cost for this procedure is around $200.00 to $250.00 dollars.  After all of this time and money would my new gun even shoot a lead conical consistently?

The new breech shown in place, the cap is now exposed!

Back to the Range!

The big question now was is this gun going to shoot lead through it?  For me patch and round ball is out of the question.   I want a muzzleloader that will preform out to 100 yards and beyond.  Round balls lose way to much kinetic energy and their foot pounds of impact down range and are not, in my opinion, sufficient enough to ethically harvest an animal out to 100 yards.  Most patch and round balls should never be shot at  large game animals any farther than 50 – 70 yards, so my choice was going to be a conical.  Power belt lead conical to be exact.  Powerbelt Bullets are a local company here in Idaho that I have had great luck with in the past.  Before I new it, I was off to the range with some 348 grain all lead power belt conicals, my triple seven FFG, and some CCI number  11 percussion caps.

The excitement was in the air and I was eager to see if my new gun would perform.  All the  muzzleloader forums on the net said that it was very unlikely that the Thompson would shoot a conical with consistency.  This time I set the target out at 75 yards to see if I could punch the target with the Power Belt.  For the load, I dropped the powder charge from 120 grains down to 90 grains.  I knew I was going to have to slow the bullet down to get consistent flight out of a fast twist barrel.

The first time I pulled the trigger it was a misfire. I guess when I last cleaned the gun I didn’t clean the breech plug very thoroughly.  Thank goodness it’s the Speed Breech XT and with one quick turn the breech plug was out to be picked and cleaned.  The gun fired on the next shot.  Now was the moment of truth.  Where did my conical hit?  It was 3 inches high of center which is not too bad, but I wasn’t out off the woods yet.  I’m looking for consistency out of my new gun.  My second shot went off without a hitch,  but were did I hit?  As I looked through the spotting scope my heart sank.  I couldn’t have missed but the paper showed no sign of being punched.  I was now coming to the realization that I had just spent a ton of money making a gun legal in Idaho that wasn’t going to work for me.  I should have listened to the naysayers.  Reluctantly, I reloaded the gun for what could have been my last shot with a conical through the bore of the TC.  I sat at the bench, squeezed the trigger and the smoke flew.  Looking through the spotting scope I could see the hit was 1 inch low of the first shot.  Ok, now where did that second shot hit?  I walked down to the target for a further inspection.   To my amazement, my second bullet punched the paper right through the same hole as the first conical. It looked like I was back in the saddle.  I fired four more shots though the TC and walked away with a pretty good group.  See, the Thompson Endeavor can shoot lead conicals just fine!  Try it and see for yourself.  For all you naysayers out there, with a little tweak of the powder and the right bullet combination it is possible.  The proof is on the paper.

With a new front site on this gun I should be able to make this group twice a tight as it is here.  Currently, the front site is the stock fiber optic one that comes on the TC and at 75 yards it covers up the whole target.  Come on admit it, thats a pretty good group for not even seeing the target while shooting at it.  I believe that the only thing wrong with this gun is the sites because they are very beginner.  I can’t wait for the day when I bust out my scope to really fine tune the load.  I don’t think I am too far off with the load I am using now!  Only time will tell and of course a couple more trips to the range.So if I never get rich, monetarily, at least I’m having fun trying.  Until next time, shoot straight and just remember your in Mule Deer Country!

This is an experiment and is for you’re reading entertainment only…..Do not try this at home.  We accept no liability when altering any gun!

Steve Alderman

Founder, Mule Deer Country

IDAHO SUPER TAG

Super Tag

by; Mark Drake

As I listened to the man on the telephone, my mind was racing. I was reeling with excitement, but at the same time I tried to contain myself, just in case this was some kind of practical joke. I asked myself, “Who did I tell that I had bought those Access Yes lottery tickets and who would now play such a mean joke on me by calling me and telling me that I had just been drawn for a Super Deer Tag?” It had to be my friend Perry Bronson. After finishing my conversation with the man from the “supposed” Idaho Fish and Game Office, I called Perry and he acted genuinely surprised…maybe this wasn’t a joke.

Well, the tag finally came and it was time for the research to begin. Through Perry, I wound up getting in touch with a great guy by the name of Ron Hulse. With my good friends Mike Sperry and Andy Williams along, we met Ron at a restaurant near his home and wow I was impressed! Ron was quick to note that he was not a guide and could not be paid anything, even gas money or food if he helped me. Idaho apparently has very strict rules for guides and outfitters. But he did say that he would like to video the hunt and offered to take me to one of his secret places if I would let him tag along. How could I resist that?

Opening morning came for me on October 25^th. As Ron and I made our way into the area, the first buck I spotted was a nice 24-inch, typical that was unbelievably high. We glassed deer all day long, probably looking over 50 different bucks, but found nothing better than the high horned four point. Did you realize that I just said that I had looked at over 50 different bucks? That was not an exaggeration, there were deer everywhere. What an amazing unit….this was deer heaven!

Day two found us in a different area looking for a buck that Ron and his friends had named J-Hook. Again we glassed bucks all morning long and around 2 p.m. we spotted a group of four bucks with one nice one in it. After a two hour stalk we found ourselves within 385 yards. The buck was a 30 to 32 inch wide, four by five and although he would not score as high as my goal I had never shot a 30-inch buck so I decided to take him. We belly crawled through the sagebrush narrowing the distance to about 200 yards, when suddenly, the deer got nervous. To sum it up, the plan didn’t work, and after a long, cold night on the mountain, (never trust a GPS with low batteries), day three found ourselves looking for the buck again in the early morning. Unfortunately, it started to rain on us, and the deer found cover quick. At that point we made the decision to work our way back to camp for breakfast. As we neared camp, the rain let up a bit and deer started moving again. Suddenly, Ron spotted some deer in a horseshoe cove not far from camp. As we made our way closer to glass, Ron spotted a buck 400 yards out that he wanted to put the spotting scope on. After confirming he was a decent looking buck, we belly crawled for 200 yards to close the distance. But upon reaching our destination, I decided to pass on the buck. As he stood from his bed, he really looked good, but I just couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger. Back at camp, I remembered a buck that a friend of mine had passed on that was only 24 inches wide but that also had unbelievable forks. He still kicks himself for not shooting it. After some much needed nourishment I told Ron that I wanted to see if we could get on that buck again. He thought that it was a good possibility, and we quickly made our way back to the next valley to see if the deer were still there. We quickly found some does and the big buck under the rim rock. We closed the distance to 200 yards and I settled in for a shot. With no hesitation this time, I placed the crosshairs on him and the 270 Weatherby Magnum with a 150 grain Nosler Partition did the damage!

As I lifted his horns out of the sagebrush I didn’t care what he scored, he was a beautiful buck. But as Ron taped his 18-inch G-2’s and 15 inch G-4’s we knew the buck was going to go over 200. I was beside myself; I had met my goal of a 200-inch buck! I had so much help on this hunt it was unbelievable. I want to thank Perry Bronson and Ron Hulse. I also was to thank friends Hank Lohmeier, Randy Pollard, Nate Jacobsen, Curtis Marsh, Mike Sperry, and Andy Williams who were all looking for a buck for me. It was an unbelievable hunt and you can bet that I’ll buy more of those lottery tickets next year!

Idaho Archery Mule Deer

Idaho Archery Buck

By Jeremiah Pate

After seeing only one buck on opening day of a late season archery hunt I knew I had to wait on the weather. The following week a cold front came in so I headed to the hills. Right away I spotted a nice buck off in the distance. Twenty minutes later I was close enough to see his drop-tine as he walked away and I knew this was a really nice buck. I attempted a sneak but was so intent on the buck that I didn’t notice the deer below him. I heard their alarm and my heart sank as he bounded from sight.

A couple days later I was back in pursuit. I was greeted with just enough rain to get me wet and irritated. I pushed on and found some little bucks but the buck I was after wasn’t there. After searching all day I was headed back when off to my left I saw him in a canyon. However, he saw me too. Again I could only watch as his massive antlers dropped out of sight. My brother Ivan was flying into town for Thanksgiving and I knew he would be excited with the news of a big buck found. A couple days later, we set out in search of this buck. All day passed and nothing. It was the day before Thanksgiving and I knew tomorrow we would be at moms. I decided I would go up in the morning and if still nothing, I could be back in time for dinner.

As I set out I saw the buck off in the distance. I watched him drop into a pocket and I slipped into stealth mode. Thirty minutes later of walking in the rain and snow I reached the crest and crawled over. There he was! My rangefinder told me 96 yards, too far for a shot. I crawled back and hoped he would push his does to me so I moved around the bend and set up. I waited forever and finally snuck over the top and all that was there was a doe. I thought they winded me and had bounded off, so I stood up and a doe bounded away. Suddenly I heard a snort! Patchy fog had rolled so I took off my pack and scooted to the top. He was 85 yards out and I knew I had to get closer. I waited for the fog to roll in again and then crawled to 70 yards. The deer sensed something was wrong and were getting nervous. If I was going to do anything it had to be now.

I scooted two yards closer and all eyes pegged me. As the buck put his head down I drew my bow. At the release he jumped up, headed right for me, and laid down thirty yards away! I was excited as I knew all I had to do was wait. Suddenly voices echoed down the canyon. The buck heard the ruckus and instantly bounded down the canyon. With the snow and rain it was not easy tracking. I searched all day and into the night before finally deciding to come back the next morning. My brother and I found the buck 100 yards from where I left the trail the day before! I didn’t realize how big he was until I got next to him. It was awesome! My six by ten was 32 inches wide and not bad for my first archery buck. In fact the only thing I had shot prior to this was a paper plate!

Editors note: 9 months before Jeremiah shot this buck I purchased the sheds, from the previous year, from a shed hunter here in Boise.  As I set here and look at the sheds compared to the photos of the buck on the ground there is very little difference except that he went down hill a little from the year before.  We had high hopes this buck would come in considerably bigger then the sheds I have, but he didn’t.  By looking at the sheds we thought he was a young buck with great potential.  By looking at the photos of Jeremiah’s buck it seems just the opposite, he is an old buck starting to regress.  It was the perfect time to harvest this buck!  Congrats to Jeremiah on a great trophy!

Steve Alderman

Founder, Mule Deer Country

Idaho Fish and Game to allow Kill Permits?

Fish & Game approves plans that include kill permits

By Eric Barker

Plans for managing wild and domestic sheep herds are certified as required by law passed last year

Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen approved 11 plans Thursday aimed at keeping domestic and bighorn sheep from coming into contact with one another.

Some of the plans, known as best management practices, include kill permits that allow ranchers and sheep herders to kill bighorns if the wild sheep are seen mixing with domestic sheep. The kill permits were included so ranchers can help ensure wild bighorn sheep that come in contact with domestics do not have a chance to carry disease back to their herds and infect other wild sheep.

Jim Unsworth, deputy director of Fish and Game, said in several cases the department also has permission to kill and remove domestic sheep that wander into areas where they could come in contact with bighorns.

“We have allowed kill permits for bighorn sheep, and the opposite of that is permission is given to Fish and Game to kill domestic sheep if they are in the wrong places,” he said.

In May, a bighorn ram was seen in close proximity of domestic sheep near Riggins. Afterward the ram showed signs of pneumonia, and the department decided to kill it to prevent it from spreading disease to other bighorns. But the ram eluded the department’s efforts for about three weeks while it ran with a group of bighorn rams.

A law passed by the Idaho Legislature last winter mandated the department to seek out the agreements with all domestic sheep ranchers who run their animals in areas where they could come in contact with bighorns. According to the law, those plans were to be certified by Groen by Thursday.

Most wildlife managers and biologists believe bighorn sheep are highly susceptible to contacting pneumonia when they mix with domestic sheep that carry the disease. Cases of die-offs and chronic pneumonia have been documented in wild sheep herds throughout the West after they have had contact with domestic sheep.

Groen said the department determined 18 sheep ranchers in the state operate in areas where contact with bighorns is possible. The plans range from simple to complex, and a range of measures are outlined depending on the threat of contact on each of the allotments. Participation by the ranchers is voluntary, and Groen said four declined to work with the department to craft the plans. Another four did opt to participate but the department and ranchers have not yet been able to craft plans acceptable to both sides.

“We will move forward on the ones we are still working on and hope to get something accomplished on them,” Unsworth said. “We may or may not. This is a voluntary deal on the producers’ side. They may decide the (best management practices) we suggest are not appropriate.”

In certifying the plans, Groen said the department is saying the plans “provide for the separation that reduces the risk of disease transmission between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep to a level that is acceptable to bighorn sheep viability.”

The law, written by Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, who is also a sheep rancher, was prompted by a process on the Payette National Forest that could reduce domestic sheep grazing in Hells Canyon and the Salmon River canyon by about 60 percent. Bighorn herds in both areas have been documented with pneumonia and the Salmon River herds have declined by more than 70 percent in the past 20 years.

Officials on the forest are in the process of finalizing that plan, and in passing the law legislators hoped to influence their final decision. But the agency could decide to disregard the plans and reduce or end domestic sheep grazing in areas occupied by bighorn sheep.

Last week, Region Four of the U.S. Forest Service, which includes the Payette National Forest, added bighorn sheep to its list of sensitive species. The designation means the agency will work to preclude bighorns from advancing to threatened or endangered status under the Endangered Species Act, and all forests in the region will have to consider what effects proposed actions have on wild sheep.

Keith Lawrence, director of the Nez Perce Tribe’s wildlife department, said the sensitive species designation is both appropriate and important.

“I think the recognition says that the trends are not headed in the right direction and that it needs to change,” he said. “When you are talking about the population being 10 percent of what it historically was, I think that is a huge recognition that we are in trouble and we need to fix this.”

The tribe is opposed to the law calling for the best management practices and instead believes domestic sheep should be kept out of areas where bighorns roam.

“We have not had a chance to review the plans that have been developed. We hope that they do not advocate continued domestic sheep grazing in or adjacent to occupied bighorn sheep habitat, as it has been shown that the (best management practices) approach is ineffective when applied to occupied bighorn sheep range,” said Samuel N. Penney, chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee.

Lawrence said similar plans to those envisioned by the law were in place along the Salmon River in May, when the bighorn ram came in contact with domestic sheep.

“There was still contact and after the contact the provisions in place in the (best management practices) agreement to contain the risk of disease transmission failed.”

Lawrence went on to say agreements with kill permits might well stem the spread of disease after contact occurs, but the end result is still dead bighorns.

“The root problem is you still have domestic sheep too close to bighorn sheep. If you have to have a kill permit to make separation then you are probably way too close.”