Page 6
Spilyqy Tymoo
Pecembei- 8, 2005
Bighorns:
weather has
been helpful
(Continued from page 1)
The monitoring increases in
April, when just after the lambs
are born.
Besides the ram that was
killed at Wapanitia Creek, an
other fatality was discovered
three weeks ago, Luther said.
"X'c found a ewe. Wc don't
know why it died," he said.
More recently, Luther said a
report from early last week in
dicated a sighting of 16 sheep
in the area where the animals
were dropped off last Decem
ber. "There was one ram with
horns of a three-quarter curl,
and ewes and lambs for a total
of 16," Luther said. "Wc had
almost a 100-pcrccnt survival
on our lamb crop."
That seven lambs were born
and are still alive heading into
the winter is encouraging.
"It indicates to me that the
habitat is suitable," he said.
"That they're staying in same
area indicates we picked a good
spot to place them."
"And there hasn't been the
predation, which is another fac
tor. That usually happens in first
months after they're born."
Of the 15 sheep transported
last December, at least 10 were
ewes, and some were pregnant
at the time.
"When you capture sheep
when they're pregnant, there's
always a potential they lose lambs
from stress, but we didn't have
much of that," he said.
The bighorns benefited from
a mild winter last year that al
lowed them to freely move. The
lack of snow left forage plants
uncovered, then a wet spring
produced more available food
for the sheep.
"1 talked to the wildlife biolo
gist at The Dalles, and they're
, ...;;vf"-
J
A'
-1
The animals wear radio collars, so Natural Resources can
track their location.
seeing high (lamb) production as
well," Luther said. The wet
spring produced lots of good
feed, and a good year for lamb
production."
This winter could present
more of a challenge for the
sheep, he said. "X'hcrc the sheep
are, you get snow, but it dissi
pates quickly because you have
southern exposure and fairly low
elevations," Luther said. "If you
have a winter like wo years ago,
when we had a deep snow that
persisted for a month or so, that
can be pretty stressful"
The sheep know where to go
to stay protected from elements
and to find food, "but long pe
riods of snow and cold are go
ing to have an impact," said
Luther.
The bighorn sheep typically
have lambs in late April. This
constant provides a set guideline
for Fish and Wildlife personnel
to inventory lambs. "We saw
lambs when they were only days
old," he said.
Such early observation can
reveal interesting information.
"We saw three ewes with three
lambs. The ewes led them down
a steep embankment. They de
liberately chose this rough, rocky
area to have the lambs go
through. I'm convinced they
were exercising the lambs. The
lambs were only a wee k old, and
they were exercising that way so
they can escape."
Luther said the department
will do inventory surveys a
couple times a year, the main
ones being lamb surveys.
The herd began in 2002,
when sheep were captured in
the John Day River canyon for
transport to the reservation.
In the 2002 planting the
sheep were released at Antoken
Creek from the back of a live
stock trailer. Last December the
sheep were hauled in a trailer to
Criterion Peak and flown into
Eagle Creek Canyon in the
Mutton Mountains.
by Brian Mortensen
p7
Towing
24 Hours
Automotive
and
Towing
Gorulno ttarn Gd? Inoc and nadroc
If you're not a member of AM we have applications
(24 Hour a day Road Service)
Now is the time to
winterize your vehicle!
1 2-month 1 2,000 mile nation wide warranty
All work by certified technicians
All manufacture warranty maintenance available here
with electronic record keeping
What this means to you... We can take care of all your Automotive
Repair and Maintenance needs! NEW or OLD Vehicles.
am 1
f VISA
CALL
475-6663
Or stop by for an appointment
Office
now open
through Lunch
755 S.W. Hwy 97, Madras, OR 97741
First-team selection for Alvarez
Madras High School se
nior Jose Alvarez Jr. was
named as a first-team selec
tion in the Tri-Valley League
2006 all-league football
team. He was a player on
the Madras White Buffalo
team.
Alvarez is the son of
Lois Estimo and Jose
Alvarez Sr.
MMfflt 21
JA A ! In f n 475-7560
Till Your Christmas List Here!
Antiques, furniture, collectibles,
candles & gifts.
Authorized dealer for Beyer Horses, Fenton
Glassware, Anheuser Busch Steins.
15,000 square feet of great treasures!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Laya way, credit card welcome.
Ft":..'"
6
Tit h
Stop by, there's more
to see!
Deals starting at $495!
475-2279
475-2333
'r r 'i
T7iL ,,. n-i , ,tt mar n Mt
97 Thundorblrd
Nice, nice car!
Stk 35644A
$4,005
96 Dulck Century
90,500 miles!
Stk 35460B
NOW $2,305
I int. .
85 GMC Jimmy Stk34960B
Economy 4x4!
$1,681
1993 Dodge Dakota, 4x4 Club Cab...$3,585 Low book price! 34960B
1988 Ford Ranger 4x4 Club Cab $2,795 Great deal, good runner! 35484C
1984 GMC Jimmy 4x4 Diesel $1,150 Runs and drives! 34351B
1998 Mazda Protege, cute! $4,838 Loaded, wheels, automatic 35387A
1998 Camaro, very nice car $7,995 automatic-black! 35307B
1988 Dodge Colt, runs and drivers!..$495... good tires, automatic, heater 351 93A
Financing available
on approved credit
O.A.C.
Free
balloons
for the
kids!