Kill bighorn sheep so that DISEASED domestic sheep can remain on YOUR public lands.

INTERIM POLICY
FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF
BIGHORN SHEEP AND DOMESTIC SHEEP
IN IDAHO
Introduction

In November 2007, Governor CL “Butch” Otter directed the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (“IDFG”) and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (“ISDA”) to assemble and co-chair a working group to develop a state-wide strategy for managing the interaction between bighorn sheep herds and domestic sheep in Idaho. The working group was directed to develop this state-wide strategy in two phases. First, develop an interim-policy focused on the managed separation of bighorn and domestic sheep. This interim-policy is targeted for implementation on or before February 15, 2008. Second, develop a long-term policy that will integrate disease transmission issues between the species.

The Idaho Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Working Group understands its role to be advisory and presented this Interim Policy to the IDFG for consideration for adoption and implementation pursuant to its statutory mandate to manage wildlife, including bighorn sheep, in Idaho. The Idaho Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Working Group further understands the constraints of state and federal laws and various Tribal Treaty requirements and recommends the implementation of this Interim Policy and any policy hereafter conform to such requirements.

Recitals

Whereas, bighorn sheep are native to Idaho and have been restored on public lands in partnership with federal land management agencies;

Whereas, as indigenous wildlife, bighorn sheep are historically, culturally and economically valuable to the citizens of the State of Idaho;

Whereas, the domestic sheep industry is historically, culturally and economically valuable to the citizens of the State of Idaho;

Whereas, it is in the public interest to maintain and restore bighorn populations, where appropriate;

Whereas, it is in the public interest to maintain and restore access to public lands for grazing by domestic sheep, where appropriate;

Now therefore, it shall be the interim policy of the State of Idaho to manage the interaction between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep that will provide, to the extent practicable, physical separation between bighorn and domestic sheep according to the following provisions:

Bighorn sheep populations on public lands shall be managed to avoid contact with domestic sheep under guidelines developed and approved by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to reduce potential risk of disease transmission between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep.

Bighorn sheep populations on public lands shall be identified by IDFG, in consultation with ISDA, and mapped to identify potential conflict areas with respect to current grazing allotment areas.

Potential conflict areas between bighorn sheep populations and domestic sheep shall be managed by IDFG, in consultation with the ISDA, and with the cooperation of the permitee(s) to achieve physical separation during the season of use of the grazing allotment by the following methods:

i. Identify and define sheep-free areas where bighorn sheep and domestic sheep will be immediately removed upon entry;
ii. The size of the sheep-free area will be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration natural barriers, existing and proposed artificial barriers, and the risk of disease transmission.

IDFG, in consultation with ISDA, and in cooperation with permittee(s) shall develop a procedure, on a case-by-case basis for the removal of bighorn sheep straying into defined sheep free areas. Actions may include hazing, capture, or lethal removal. Bighorn sheep that stray into and inter-mingle with domestic sheep shall be immediately removed.

IDFG, in consultation with ISDA, and in cooperation with permittee(s) shall develop a procedure, on a case-by-case basis for the removal of domestic sheep straying into defined sheep free areas. Actions may include capture or lethal removal.

In areas where the potential for interaction is high, IDFG in cooperation with permittee(s) and federal land management agencies will work at the allotment level to develop specific domestic and wild sheep management plans that will reduce risk to agreeable levels.