sheep on the Oquirrh range

foundation · Apr 15, 2008

I'm curious if there are or was at one time Bighorn sheep on the Oquirrh range in Utah . This past week I saw what looked like a bighorn sheep skull over by Mercur Canyon . The skull looks very old , and most of the front part is gone . There is only one side of the horn , and that is very weathered . I didn't have a camera with me , but next time I ride out there I will try to get a picture .
I spend some time out there , and have never seen or heard about sheep . Seems like I read about the fish and game transplanting some sheep on the Stansbury range , is it possible a sheep wandered over to the Oquirrh range .
Just wondering if any body has any information about the possiblity of sheep being on that range .
Thanks

foundation · Apr 15, 2008

I forgot to mention there was no other bones in the area . The part of the skull cap that remained was very brittle , and was falling apart . Just a guess but I would think it has been there for a very long time .

nochawk · Apr 15, 2008

Last year they transported 20 sheep from Antelope Island to the Stansbury Range so I guess they could have drifted over, I believe it was the 3rd time they stocked the area with fresh genetics.

nochawk · Apr 15, 2008

Take your GPS and get the coordinates and report it to the DWR, they may want to take a look.

foundation · Apr 15, 2008

I need to figure out the gps thing . Its a couple hour horse ride up the mountain , in a out of the way place .

proutdoors · Apr 18, 2008

If that is a skull of an actual big horn sheep, it is NOT one from the herd transplanted on the Stansbury Range. They are several miles away from Mercur. I would guess it was somebody's pet that was dumped.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

littlebighorn · Apr 21, 2008

I have to agree with PRO. The Stansbury sheep have only been there for three years and they mostly hang out on the very north end. If it's a very old skull it most likely belongs to something other than the Stansbury herd.