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California Bighorn Sheep Lamb count- 7 day Conservation Experience

Currency:USD Category:Hunting / Trips Start Price:2,500.00 USD
California Bighorn Sheep Lamb count- 7 day Conservation Experience
California Bighorn Sheep Lamb count- 7 day Conservation Experience for 2 people (all proceeds benefit the Chilotin Ark Institute and its conservation initiatives)


50% of lambs and 20% of yearlings die from starvation, predation (particularly from cougar, wolf and coyote), accident and disease each year. Bighorn sheep frequently contract pneumonia from domestic sheep disease. While its relatively harmless for domestic sheep, it can be fatal to California Bighorn sheep, mostly lambs and older sheep. Together with the Chilcotin Ark Institute, BCTMO Conservation Club organizes lamb counts. On each lamb count, we carefully record the location, age and sex of all sheep that we see. This allows us to build up detailed records of the sheep herds to assess annual herd recruitment and assess if lamb death is more likely a cause of predation, disease or due to other reasons. From this, we shape our conservation management practices to help maintain Bighorn sheep populations at a sustainable herd size.

Donation: Two people can participate on a 7 day California Bighorn Sheep Lamb Count Conservation Experience. Spend your days riding on horseback across the tops of sandy shale mountains and glassing the slopes for California Bighorn Sheep. Spend the night in a cabin, wall tent or spike camp near the Bighorn sheep, allowing you to make the most of every opportunity.

You will be given the option of several dates to pick from.

Itinerary:
Day 1
On our California Bighorn Sheep Lamb Count Conservation Experience, arrive at the ranch and enjoy lunch in our historic lodge. Then meet your horse, learn how to saddle, take a short ride to prepare for the next day.

Day 2
Early next morning bring in your horses, saddle your riding horse, learn to pack the pack horses then ride out to camp. Scout for sheep at prime spots along the way. Set up camp and ride out again to scout for sheep in the evening. Unsaddle and stake your horses in the wildflower meadows, cook dinner over the campfire and enjoy the night in a cabin, wall tent or spike camp, allowing you to stay close to nature throughout the trip.

Day 3-5
The next morning ride out at sunrise to check for tracks and scout for sheep in their prime locations. Learn about where to find the sheep and their behaviours and carefully record the location, age and sex of all sheep that we see. Return to camp for breakfast, or make a fire and cook on the trail. Enjoy a day ride to the mountain tops to keep scouting for sheep and learn more about the flora and fauna. Record every animal you see in our wildlife sightings form to contribute to habitat and population management. Some of the other species you might see include moose, mountain goat, grizzly and black bears, mule deer, cougar, wolves and eagles. Remove invasive species and collect data along the way such as grizzly hair from rub trees for DNA analysis. Return to camp for dinner, then ride out at sunset for one last check for California Bighorn sheep.

Day 6
The next day, ride out in the morning for one last scout. Return to camp and pack up. Ride back to the ranch, looking for sheep and tracks along the way. Arrival at the ranch. Enjoy a Wild Harvest Dinner to celebrate your accomplishments.

Day 7
On your final morning, review the trip and data collected. Farewell lunch at the ranch.

Included: Meal, Lodging, Horses and Tack, Guides

Not-included: Airfare, Transportation to and from Airport.