AT, ESSF, MS, IDF, PP, BG Summer range Many California bighorn herds do not have available alpine habitat and remain in one general location year-round. Some herds in the Ashnola River system spend their summers in subalpine forested areas or open forests below the subalpine, while others move into typical bighorn sheep alpine habitat each summer. Suitable forested areas, such as dense thickets of brush and young conifers or dense stands of spruce, pine or fir frequently provide escape habitat for summering California bighorns. Some herds in the Rocky Mountains remain in alpine habitats all year round. The Spences Bridge herd does not have access to any alpine habitats.
Winter ranges The limiting habitat for bighorn sheep is winter range.
There are two types - normal winter range and severe winter range. In the occasional severe winter, the priority for sheep is relief from the energy drain of pushing through snow. Large canopied trees may provide this relief. In normal winters, the priority for sheep is access to food in areas that provide predator escape terrain. These are often below 600 m elevation but range to 1800 m.