Opinion ID: 181487
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Human Disturbance

Text: Bighorn sheep tend to use the highest, most rugged areas within their home ranges for lambing. Id. at 16. Signal Peak and Castle Dome Peak are two of the most distinctive features of the refuge and as such are popular destinations for hikers. Id. Most use of these areas occurs in the cool winter months (November-March), which strongly overlaps the peak lambing season of January-March. Id. The report cited documentation of strong reactions (immediate running, left area and did not return) from Kofa sheep in response to 1 or 2 people. Id. at 17. Frequent human disturbance of ewes may cause them to abandon these areas for less optimal habitat, which could in turn affect lamb survival. Id. The report recommended [r]educ[ing] the negative impacts of human recreational activities on bighorn sheep by monitoring sheep usage during lambing season and, if necessary, closing popular hiking trails during lambing season. Id.