Big Horn Sheep in the Western United States once numbered one million and was an important food source as well as being hunted for their skins. The Shoshone “Sheepeaters” Indian tribe lived in Yellowstone until 1880 and their principle food was the Big Horn Sheep and they also made their bows from the sheep’s horns. By the 1900’s the sheep’s population was decreased to a few hundred in the U.S. Annual surveys done in Yellowstone suggest that there are only 250 to 275 Big Horn Sheep in the park. Since hunting is no longer permitted, you can find the sheep roaming the steep ledges, rugged terrain and open meadows in Yellowstone at Mammoth Hot Springs, Gardiner River Canyon, Dunraven Pass, Mount Washburn and in rocky outcrops like this one in Lamar Valley. |
