The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-03-21
No Increase
In Mi. Sheep
Is Mystery
Several Explanations Are
Advanced, But Most Are
Merely Guesses.
STATE GAME MEN
MAY STUDY PROBLEM

The daily newspapers OF the past
week have carried stories to. the ef-
feet that the state fish and game
commission intends to set aside m
area. in Lincoln county for the pro-
lection and study of mountain
sheep. It was said the forest serv-
ice would. cooperate in this work.
When asked about the matter the
first of the week, c. ]. Lillevig, as
sistant supervisor in charge Of game
matters, said he had received Moth
ing from the commission regard
ing the proposed project He ex-
pected to get in touch with the de-
partment at once and see what the
game men had in mind.
When white men first visited this
district, they found mountain sheep
ranging in the mountains. Their
number has gradually dwindled UNI
til now it is estimated there are
about a hundred head in Lincoln
county. They range in the district
extending from Ural northward in
to the Eureka section. For some UNI
known reason, their number does
not increase.
Several explanations are adj
vanced for this lack of increase.
Some think it is because the young
are preyed upon by coyotes. cou-
CARS and eagles, probably most Of
the lambs being taken by coyotes
Game men say the young lambs are
born at a time when food for the
coyotes is scarce, throughout the
month of March. Squirrels and
gophers have not yet come out OF
their winter dens, fawns have not
been born, and the result is that
the young lambs arrive at time
when they are choice bits Of food
for hungry coyotes. Undoubtedly
cougars get some Of Them. although
some say the cougar does not a. I
rule range as high as do the wild
sheep. Eagles also pick off GER
tain number 81 the little lambs,
think those who have made game
matters study
There are others who lay some
of the blame on the great hordes of
ticks found in the mountainous dis
tricts in the early spring. It is be-
lieved they mass on the sheep and
are responsible for the death of
some Of them.
Mr. Lillevig has a further ex-
PLANTATION for the lack OF increase.
He says it has been clearly demon
strated that mountain sheep, goats
and deer are very susceptible to
pneumonia. Carcasses of dead deer
have frequently been cut open, he
reports, and the lungs found to be
badly congested from pneumonia.
He also says blood stains are often
found on the snow where the breath
of the animal while lying down,
blown out in the breathing, had col
ored the white snow; another proof
that the lungs were badly affected.
This ailment seems to hit the ami
mails much worse, Mr.. Lillevig says,
in mild, wet winter than when
the weather is cold and dry.
1t is admitted that probably a
number of sheep are killed by
poachers who are after heads, but
it is thought not many are taken
that way. The weakening of the
stock through years of inbreeding
lis also advanced Some have won
dered If that condition could not be
improved by catching and trans
planting some of the best rams from
one flock to another The mountain
sheep seem to range in flocks, in
various districts Of the state. The
blood stream might be improved by
an exchange Of rams between these
districts.
Whatever may be the cause, there
is no doubt as to the lack of in
crease among the mountain sheep.
1t is a subject worthy of study and
/ correction, If possible.