With the many boots expected to be on the ground this hunting season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists are looking to hunters and other recreationists to report bighorn sheep seen in sheep hunting district (HD) 622.

Earlier this spring, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission closed bighorn sheep hunting in HD 622 during an emergency meeting. The closure was proposed by FWP after biologists conducted a spring survey and counted only five sheep.

Although Department staff are trying to learn more, test results from two rams in hunting district 622 tested positive for a microorganism that can cause pneumonia. One of the sheep tested was harvested by a hunter this past fall. The second ram died during spring survey efforts by FWP and had visible evidence of pneumonia in his lungs. Both rams tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumonia or M. ovi.

M. ovi can facilitate infections by other bacteria, leading to pneumonia outbreaks in bighorn sheep herds. FWP has documented such outbreaks, and subsequent population declines, in other bighorn sheep herds in Montana.

Sheep HD 622 is located on the north side of the Missouri River Breaks in northeast Montana in southern Valley and Phillips counties and includes portions of deer and elk HD 622 and portions of 630. Thankfully, bighorn sheep in HDs 620 and 680 to the west appear healthy, with biologists observing improved numbers of sheep during this summer’s aerial survey.

FWP biologists are seeking the public’s help to get a better sense of what sheep are left in the 622 area. If you see a sheep, make a note of the geographic area and ideally get a GPS point of the exact location. Folks can report sheep sightings to Glasgow-area biologist Aaron O’Harra at 406-808-7080 or Malta-area biologist Jake Barnes at 406-417-1270. We thank you for your help!