Whiskey Basin Collaborative Project
WHISKEY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP
UNDERSTANDING AND SOLUTIONS THROUGH COLLABORATION
In early 2019, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) in partnership with the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center and the University of Wyoming’s Ruckelshaus Institute engaged in a public involvement process to explore management concerns, issues, and opportunities for the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep herd. The Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd was once one of the largest and most nationally recognized herds in the nation and it has been declining since an all age die-off in the early 1990’s. The herd continues to stay below the desired population size primarily because lamb survival is very low. At one time there were an estimated 2,500 sheep in this population; today there are about 750.
WHY DO THIS?
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department simply doesn’t have all the answers to turn this important bighorn sheep population around. There is much to be learned about how to best address this decline and perhaps implement new or different management strategies and projects to attempt to arrest and reverse this trend. To do this, we must consider a different approach that includes all who are interested and passionate about this herd.
Additionally, in 2019, NBSC began exploring Citizen Science Data Collection as one way for the public to get involved and help with the observations of bighorn sheep in the Whiskey Basin area. The University of Wyoming has provided the basic data collection form in the bottom link below, and the public is encouraged to help provide observational data through this form to the University.
LINKS BELOW:
For a link to the full Situational Assessment, released on December 19, 2018, please click the first link below.
For a link to the full notes from the first February 2019 meeting, please click the second link below.
For links to the April 2019 workshop agenda, professionals input and issues summary from the February meeting see the third-fifth sets of links below.
For a link to the Citizen Science Observation Form, please see the sixth link below.
Read the DRAFT Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Plan in the final link below.
The updated management plan as of July 17, 2019. Read it Here:
Special Events and Outreach
See the schedule of upcoming special events on the Events Page
LOCATION
10 Bighorn Lane, just off the main street in beautiful Dubois, Wyoming next to the Dubois Historical Museum. Look for our big bronze ram “Ram Country”.
SEASONAL HOURS
Winter Hours
December 22, 2019 – March 31, 2020
Open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday – Saturday
Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Spring Hours
April 1, 2020 – May 22, 2020
Open 10am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday
Closed on Sundays
Summer Hours
May 23, 2020 – September 7, 2020
Open 9am – 5pm, Open Every Day!
Autumn Hours
September 8, 2020 – December 19, 2020
Open 10am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday
Closed on Sundays
Special Closure Dates
Currently CLOSED until further notice: to protect people from coronavirus spread
Closed October 12: Indigenous People’s Day
Closed November 11: Veterans Day
Closed November 25: Thanksgiving Day
Closed December 24 & 25: Christmas
Closed December 31 & January 1: New Year’s Eve & Day
ADMISSION
Adults age 18 and over: $6
Youth ages 8 – 17: $3
Children ages 7 and under: FREE
Adult Group (8 or more), Seniors (age 60 and over) and Military: $5
Youth Group (8 or more): $2
Current Members and VIPs: FREE
School Groups: $2 per student, but sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact us to set up your tour by calling 307-455-3429
Find out more about us and our work
The National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which is dedicated to educating people about the bighorn sheep and the conservation of wildlife and wild lands. We accomplish this mission through exhibits which inspire our visitors, programs which educate youth and adults alike and special events, outreach and partnerships which help conserve bighorn sheep and other wildlife and wildlife habitat.
The Association operates the National Bighorn Sheep Center in beautiful Dubois, Wyoming. The National Bighorn Sheep Center features dioramas with full-scale taxidermy mounts that recreate bighorn habitat, interactive exhibits about wildlife management and special adaptations of wild sheep, and wildlife films the whole family will enjoy.
photo: Bill Sincavage
Plan Your Visit To Bighorn Sheep Center
Education Program: LAMBS (Lessons, Activities & Materials about Bighorn Sheep)
The National Bighorn Sheep Center is proud of our growing LAMBS education program. We welcome teachers, youth or adult program leaders, or other organizations to schedule a field trip to visit the Center or arrange a tour with our Traveling Education Trunks. These popular options are described in more detail on our education page, but we also have many other activities and lessons to offer and can customize a program for a specific group.
Group Tours
We can offer special programs and rates for bus tours and small and large groups of all sizes. Please contact us for more information.
Warning: Use of undefined constant right - assumed 'right' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/bighorn9/public_html/wp-content/themes/enfold-child/footer.php on line 81