Archeological evidence indicates that Big Horn Sheep were well known to the prehistoric inhabitants of Utah. And if you look at a lot of pictographs and petroglyphs you notice bighorns are depicted more than any other form of wildlife.
Native populations of both species of sheep were nearly extirpated following pioneer
settlement. A few scattered sightings of bighorns persisted in northern Utah as late as the 1960’s and only a small population of desert bighorns remained along remote portions of the Colorado River.
Since then, Extensive efforts have been made by the DWR and conservation organizations to reintroduce and augment populations of both species.
Rocky Mountain bighorns were first translocated into the state near Brigham
City in 1966, whereas desert bighorns were first translocated into Utah in 1973 near Zion National
Park. Since restoration efforts began, over 1,200 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and over 1,000
desert bighorns have been released in areas of historical habitat.
If you want a chance to take the family out to view wild sheep, the DWR is having a viewing event next Saturday, northwest of Beaver on the Mineral Mountains. DWR staff will be on-site with spotting scopes to offer an up-close view of the sheep. For more information and to sign up, check out our calendar page on our website at ksloutdoors.com.
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