G&F PROPOSING BIGHORN SHEEP TRANSPLANT TO LARAMIE PEAK AREA

WHEATLAND – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is proposing to transplant 45 bighorn sheep from Montana to the Laramie Peak area west of Wheatland.

          A public meeting discussing to proposal will be held Nov. 13, 7 p.m., at the Platte County Library in Wheatland.

          The proposed release site is the Laramie Peak Wildlife Habitat Management Area approximately 35 miles west of Wheatland. “This site was chosen due to topography, recent fire activity in the area that has enhanced bighorn sheep habitat, and public access to the area,” said Martin Hicks, Game and Fish district wildlife biologist.

            He adds the transplant will hopefully bolster population status, improve genetic diversity and enhance long-term viability of the Laramie Peak Bighorn Sheep Herd, hunt area 19. Currently, the Laramie Peak herd is estimated at 200 head, only 40 percent of the herd objective of 500 bighorns. The sheep would be trapped in the Thompson Falls area of northwest Montana.

          If unable to attend the meeting, written comments about the proposal will be accepted through Nov. 13 my mailing: Bob Lanka, Wildlife Management Coordinator, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 528 S. Adams, Laramie, WY 82070.

(contact: Martin Hicks (307) 322-1984 or Jeff Obrecht)

-WGFD-