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NDOW seeks depopulation hunts and split seasons for diseased bighorn herds; CAB agrees to three-season approach
Summary
NDOW described a depopulation strategy for diseased bighorn herds—targeting rams in a three-month split-season structure—to remove infected animals, test and relocate clean ewes, and restore healthy populations; the CAB supported adding a three-season structure for targeted herds.
NDOW staff described ongoing disease problems in bighorn sheep herds and proposed management steps to reduce infection and restore healthy populations. Matt Jeffress said the department has observed recurring mycoplasma outbreaks (linked to Santa Rosas and other herds) and recommended a depopulation approach that would initially target rams and later trap, test and relocate clean ewes while euthanizing those still shedding disease.
Jeffress characterized the proposed structure as a targeted depopulation hunt: "This is a depopulation hunt." He and other staff recommended three one-month hunts (September, October, November) to spread hunting pressure and increase the chance of removing infected animals. The CAB agreed to include a 0.333 season (three seasons) for the affected hunt unit and asked staff to work out implementation and quota details for future action.
