Bighorn Sheep Monitoring Underway Along Snake and Salmon Rivers

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Idaho Fish and Game is conducting bighorn sheep capture operations along the Snake and Salmon rivers in several game management units. The purpose is to safely capture and radio-collar the animals to monitor their movement patterns and survival, which helps biologists better understand bighorn sheep ecology and inform future management decisions.

Why it matters

Bighorn sheep are an iconic species in Idaho, and understanding their behavior and habitat needs is crucial for effective conservation efforts. The data collected from this monitoring program will provide valuable insights to help protect bighorn sheep populations along the Snake and Salmon rivers.

The details

The capture operations will take place from February 20th through February 24th, with low-flying helicopters being used to locate and safely capture the bighorn sheep. Once collared, the sheep will be released back into the wild, and the data collected will be analyzed by Fish and Game biologists.

• The capture operations will run from February 20th through February 24th, 2026.
• Residents and recreationists may notice low-flying helicopters over portions of the Snake and Salmon rivers during this time period.

What’s next

After the capture operations are complete, Idaho Fish and Game biologists will analyze the data collected from the radio-collared bighorn sheep to inform future management decisions and conservation efforts.