The Gros Ventre Range bighorn sheep herd was hit hard by winter weather and mountain lion predation. Following the helicopter surveys in 2023 and 2024, biologists say the herd is currently at about 400 sheep, which is the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) desired objective, according to the Laramie Boomerang.

However, that is a steady drop compared to the 2021 and 2022 surveys, which tallied about 500 bighorn sheep. As a result, WGFD plans to issue a third fewer tags for ewes and lambs for the upcoming season. 

“Now that the herd is right at objective, we would like to continue that type six season — not have so many licenses that we’re reducing numbers but just enough licenses to hold the population stable and prevent it from increasing again,” said Aly Courtemanch, WGFD’s Jackson-based wildlife biologist.

Once numbers reach more than 500, WGFD said it’s not sustainable. There’s competition for food and, with that, a higher susceptibility to disease, which is why the type 6 licenses will still be available in the Gros Ventre even if offered at a lower number since WGFD uses it as a management tool to keep the herd in check. 

For 2024, there will be 10 tags available. This is a decrease compared to 16 tags issued for ewes and lambs in 2022 and 30 issued in 2023. However, hunters didn’t fill all of the available tags. In 2022, hunters only killed six ewes and, in 2023, nine, which is why there will be two ewe and lamb hunts for the 2024 season: one that runs from Sept. 10 to Oct. 15 and another from Nov. 1 to 15.   

This way, according to Courtemanch, there’s more time for bighorn sheep to “come down from high elevations” so they’re easier for hunters to find. 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will meet this month to make final decisions on hunting seasons and regulations.