Utah is home to three sub-species of Big horn sheep. The Rocky Mountain, the desert and the California Big horn sheep. Rock art evidence suggests that all three sub species were thought to have at one time been native to Utah and surrounding states.
A great deal of effort has gone into re-establishing bighorn sheep, and the three species can now be found in a number of mountain ranges.
Big horn sheep predation primarily occurs with lambs, which are hunted by coyotes, bobcats, lynxes and golden eagles. Bighorn sheep of all ages are threatened by bears, wolves and especially cougars, which are perhaps best equipped with the agility to prey on them in uneven, rocky habitats.
On June 15th, the Utah DWR will hold a free big horn sheep watch near the southeastern town of Sunnyside.
DWR biologists will be on-hand to help locate animals and answer questions. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available for public use. For more information on big horn sheep, be sure to check out our Utah Field Guide at KSLTV.com.
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