Pneumonia in important SW Montana herd spreads-
FWP biologists, volunteers cull sick bighorns in East Fork of Bitterroot. By Perry Backus. Ravalli Republic.
Damn those domestic sheep!
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This story earlier on this blog. Bighorn sheep near Darby, MT dying of pneumonia.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
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I’m wondering if we could talk a UM student or gradschooler into preparing a GIS map of wild Bighorn sheep populations and the domestic sheep presence on both public and private lands in this conflict zone ? Surely some combination of agencies can be squeezed for that data. AUM’s and grazing leases, allotments, etc on the public lands, and something from the Montana woolgrowers on the private stock.
This Missoulian article has very little to say about the domestic sheep; very nonspecific. I’d like to see this info mapped graphically, in bright white light.
Getting the data is always the hardest part.
I just had to switch my project proposal for a GIS class because I could not get ahold of the data I needed.
Once you have the data it is a fairly simple and quick process to get a map like you describe up and running. I am not a UM student (I go to ISU) but would assist in the map making project if we can find the relative data. I have all the software needed at my disposal.
You might get in touch with the Western Watersheds Project office in Missoula and see if they have the time to help.