Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Identification
Overall color is greyish brown with a small brown tail set in a large white rump patch. In size sheep are comparable to deer but present a more compact appearance. Both rams and ewes have horns. Initially horns are slender, curved brown spikes, sweeping back from the head.
Development of ewes horns are restricted, producing horns approximately 12 inches in length and resembling horns of domestic female goats. Rams horns grow into massive spirals expanding in both breadth and length. These spirals curl backward, downward forward and upward at either side of the head. Horns are never shed and are marked with conspicuous annual growth rings.
Range
Bighorns are limited to the Rocky Mountains and adjacent foothills in Alberta. They prefer alpine meadow and precipitous areas above tree line. Some herds wander to the foothills and valley during Fall while other remain on high wing swept ridges throughout the winter.
Mating
Breeding occurs in November and December. Lambing occurs in May and June with singe birth being the rule. Ram bighorns are polygamous.
Food
Food consists primarily of grasses, sedges and forbs. Shrubby vegetation is eaten to a lesser degree.
Remarks
The bighorn is the most highly prized trophy animal in North America, not only is this monarch of the mountains a beautiful trophy, but hunting him places the sheep hunter in some of the world’s most scenic country.
