The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) concluded its 49th annual convention, The Sheep Show®, on January 24th in Reno, NV, raising a record amount of funding and optimism for wild sheep conservation in North America and internationally.
"We're still tallying the results, but by all indicators, we broke every measurable metric in attendance and funds raised," said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. "This good news gets better. Yes, millions of dollars raised for wild sheep conservation is a significant achievement, but as we allocate these dollars back out to our wildlife agency, Chapter and Affiliate, and other partners who do the good work, it's the measurable impact these dollars will have that we're focused on next."
The Sheep Show® is the premier event for raising dedicated funding for state, provincial, territorial, and tribal wildlife agencies for their wild sheep and other big game management programs, as well as other WSF Mission programs. Money raised goes toward wild sheep management and enhancement programs to maintain and grow wild sheep populations. These include trap and translocations to establish new populations in new ranges or augment existing ones, habitat improvements, including water developments and controlled burns, and herd health surveillance, testing, and research.
Conservation permits sold at the Sheep Show® also provide a significant, durable source of funding for wildlife agency budgets. One conservation permit sold for $1 Million, the second-highest amount ever for a big game permit. A record $1.3 Million was raised at the Sheep Show last year for the same permit, the New Mexico bighorn tag.
"States issuing these permits can then leverage these auction proceeds with a 3:1 match in federal dollars through the Pittman-Robertson Act, Thornton explained. "In this case, New Mexico can turn $1 million into four million. Other states that trust us to sell their tags for them will do the same. This is just one piece of the economy that fuels wild sheep conservation efforts that put more sheep on the mountain."
In fiscal year 2024-25, WSF directed $11.5+ million to mission program funding, primarily through funds raised at its Convention. Since 1983, the Foundation has raised and delivered over $156 Million to its Mission programs for wild sheep, hunting advocacy, and education.
"These funds are the catalyst for the hands-on, on-the-groundwork done by our Chapters and Affiliates alongside our wildlife agency partners," Thornton concluded. "It looks like we will be able to exceed last year's record amount allocated. All our conservation supporters showed up big time. This includes WSF members and guests, our exhibitors, sponsors, donors, bidders, and buyers. Thank you all."
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Mont., was founded in 1977 by sportsmen and other wild sheep conservationists. WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, having raised and expended more than $156 million, positively impacting these species through population and habitat enhancements, research and education, and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe, and Asia to "Put and Keep Wild Sheep On the Mountain"®. In North America, these and other efforts have increased bighorn sheep populations from historic lows in the 1950s-60s of 25,000 to more than 85,000 today. WSF has a membership of more than 11,000 worldwide. www.wildsheepfoundation.org.