ALASKA/YUKON DALL’S SHEEP UPDATE

During the January 2023 Sheep Show® in Reno, information was shared and discussed about recent above-normal snowpacks in both Alaska (AK) and the Yukon Territory (YT), and how current (and past) winter conditions have impacted Dall’s sheep populations. Of particular note was the “missing” ram cohorts in Alaska presumably as a result of poor survival of 2012, 2013, and 2014 lamb crops.

For the summer 2023 issue of Wild Sheep® magazine, on May 30, 2023, I interviewed AK-WSF President Kevin Kehoe, YK-WSF President

Spencer Wallace, YK-WSF Treasurer Joe Humphries, and WSF Board Member Logan Young, to get their sense of recent status, developments, and activity on behalf of Dall’s sheep in AK and YT. By no means does this article try to capture all the conversations, issues, topics, and concerns; rather, this is an effort to keep the WSF members (and other interested parties) up-to-speed on Dall’s sheep, up North.

AK: It is well known that Alaska experienced another hard winter, and ram numbers are certainly down in many places. While no formal

Dall’s sheep surveys have yet been flown this summer by ADF&G, it is expected that June/July survey flights will occur, and funding is available to cover those flights. Conversations continue between AK-WSF and ADF&G, as well as Alaska Professional Hunter’s Association (APHA), to identify and implement tangible actions to benefit Dall’s sheep. The AK Board of Game (BOG) recently closed Unit 19C to Dall’s sheep hunting by non-residents; the need for, and importance of, a comprehensive Dall’s sheep management plan for

19C has been discussed, at length. The next BOG hunting season proposal cycle will no doubt generate many suggested strategies.

During the 2023 Sheep Show® AK meeting in Reno in January 2023, a number of suggested management options/strategies (e.g., Intensive Management designation for Dall’s sheep) were identified, but no implementation of any of those has occurred to date. Ongoing Dall’s sheep research projects continue, with over $2.3M committed, thus far. WSF, AK-WSF, and other WSF chapters and affiliates have offered to assist the State of Alaska with Dall’s sheep projects, if and when ADF&G is ready for that assistance. WSF and AK-WSF submitted a detailed letter to Governor Mike Dunleavy, and conversations continue with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, ADF&G Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, (Interim) Wildlife Director Ryan Scott, and other highranking officials, advising them of our willingness to assist when called upon.

YT: Another tough winter was experienced during 2022-2023, and while there is no crisis, there has been a slight decline in the availability of mature rams, not across-the-board, but rather, spotty across YT. It appears that many Yukon Outfitters Association (YOA) members are voluntarily cutting back slightly on the number of sheephunting clients they normally book out of an abundance of caution. With the recent reduction/closure of Dall’s sheep hunting on Kluane First Nation (KFN) lands, there may be a domino effect with some pressure to close or reduce Dall ram hunting in adjacent units.

In late spring 2023, WSF provided another $25,000 Grant-In-Aid (GIA) to assist YOA and the Yukon Trappers Association (YTA) with their ongoing wolf control efforts, to assist with Dall’s sheep, moose, and caribou herd resilience. Lamb crops appear strong, and expectations are high that Dall’s sheep numbers will increase over the next several years if weather conditions allow. Conversations continue on how to incentivize YT resident sheep hunters to assist with wolf control in/near occupied Dall’s sheep range. Discussion continues about which large or mid-sized carnivores (e.g., wolverine) have the most impact on Dall’s sheep in YT.

Based on continuing conversations between Yukon WSF and Yukon government, it is anticipated that a cross-border Dall’s sheep project will be initiated to collect additional information on Dall’s sheep seasonal movements, survival, and habitat use along the shared Yukon/British Columbia border.

Based on recent discussions among the WSF Canadian Conservation Committee chaired by former WSF Board member and current Wild Sheep Society of BC Vice-Chair Chris Barker, WSF anticipates a GIA funding request for this crossborder Dall’s sheep project will be submitted during WSF’s July 2023 GIA application window. We stand ready to help.

Closing Comments

While no one individual, agency, or organization can “fix” the effects of changing climates on Dall’s sheep and their habitats, it is clear that it will take time and patience on the part of hunters to help Dall’s sheep populations recover.

Let’s do the best we can to protect and enhance habitats, minimize or eliminate any chance of contact with domestic sheep or goats resulting in potential pathogen transfer, manage large predators where/when we can, and all stay vigilant and focused on Dall’s sheep management and hoped-for rebound of Dall’s sheep numbers in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. One good way to help is to get actively engaged with our WSF chapters in both jurisdictions; the wild sheep need all the help and funding we can muster. Together, we can do so much more. Stay tuned!

WS

The Marco Polo Society® (MPS) is the Wild Sheep Foundation’s premier major giving “society” whose members have given and/or pledged a minimum of $100,000 to the Foundation. Gifts are donor-directed, tax-deductible and can be made to the WSLF Endowment Fund, WSF Conservation Fund, or Area of Greatest Need. Additionally, funds may be allocated to specific grant-inaid, education or advocacy initiatives and programs. The $100,000 pledge can be contributed in annual installments up to a maximum of 10 years.

Since its inception in 2008, more than $9.1 million in MPS gifts/ pledges have been directed to WSF and mission programs. WSF’s objective is 100 Marco Polo Society members resulting in a $10 million major gift campaign.

WSF SALUTES OUR MARCO POLO SOCIETY® MEMBERS TO DATE - Alphabetical Order

Alain Smith (WA)

Mike Snider (MI)

Jeff Sorg (MT)

Daryll & Shauna Southwick (CO)

Brandon & Kristi Stokes (OR)

Jelindo & Sandee Tiberti (NV)

Matt Tomseth (OR)

Mark Watkins (MN)

Tim & Ruth Van Der Weide (IA)

Ken & Anna Vorisek (AK)

Mark Watkins (MN)

Jay & Martha Webster (TX)

Craig West (NC)

Steven & Ardyce Whisler (MT)

Clayton & Modesta Williams (TX)

Lyle & Jennifer Wood (AB)

Russ & Debi Young (TX)

Gary & Penny Young (WV) Alan Young (YT)