DUBOIS - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is pleading for information about several bighorn sheep shot and abandoned in the Trail Lake/Whiskey Mountain area southeast of Dubois in November.

Late Nov. 19 or early Nov. 20, an 8-year-old, three-quarter curl ram was shot within sight of the Torrey Creek Road at the head of Trail Lake. From Nov. 3-6 two dead ewes, or adult female bighorn sheep, were found on Torrey Rim. One was confirmed shot and the other is strongly suspected to have been shot. Also on Nov. 20, another ewe, which had been dead several days but could also of been shot, was discovered near the Torrey Creek trailhead.

Dubois Game Warden Cole Thompson is investigating the poachings of these members of the well-known and revered Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Herd. There are only 12 hunting licenses issued for the herd (eight in area 10, four in area 9) and the season in both areas closed Oct. 15. The herd is one of Wyoming’s most popular wildlife viewing attractions.

For killing a bighorn ram out of season and leaving it to waste, the violator could face up to a $10,000 fine, one year in jail and a 10-year suspension of hunting/fishing license privileges.

"If the violators come forward the judge may take that into account when handing down the sentence," Thompson said.

He adds callers will be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction and you can remain anonymous. Report information to the Stop Poaching Hotline at (800) 442-4331.

"So even close acquaintances to the violator who are disturbed about the crime can call without being revealed," he said. "We ask citizens to keep their ears open about these crimes, especially during the holiday party season when the violators or their accomplices may be more forthcoming than usual."
(contact: Cole Thompson (307) 455-2424 or Ken Schmidlin (307) 331-2688)