Overview
Two rams, one on the right has a collar and eartag. Photo by Steve Yaeger.
Early spring leaves windblown areas where bighorn can find snow-free forage.
The Taboose Creek herd unit was recently naturally recolonized by Sierra bighorn. The first sighting of a ram group there was in 2009. In 2012 CDFW started getting reports of ram sightings in this herd unit, and in 2014 we confirmed sightings of not only rams, but ewes as well, and officially recognized the herd as occupied. Two ewes were collared in 2015, in addition to the three rams that had already been collared. We have learned that many animals in Taboose travel back and forth from the Sawmill Canyon herd. In 2017 we observed the first lamb born in Taboose Creek.
Taboose Creek Herd Movement Data
Events
- 2/1/2023 All collared ewes are believed to be dead from heavy snows this winter.
- 8/11/2021 7 ewes, 4 lambs, and 1 ram were observed on Birch Mountain. A Sawmill ewe, S543, was in the group with her lamb. She may be moving into the Taboose herd unit.
- 10/20/2020 One female was collared during fall capture. There is still relatively little known about the Taboose herd, so having one more collared animal will give CDFW more information on the population size and range.
- 10/21/2018 New collars were deployed in this herd unit to learn more about the Taboose Creek population. It is one population where we currently have minimal information.
- 7/26/2018 Field staff recently spotted a group of 10 sheep being chased by a bobcat on the North side of Mt. Kidd! This kind of observation rarely happens.
- 5/15/2017 Field staff recently spotted S412 with a newborn lamb in Red Mountain Creek. This is the first lamb to be seen in the Taboose Creek herd unit!