For centuries, bighorn sheep thrived in Wyoming’s Gros Ventre Wilderness. Today, shrinking habitat and the threat of deadly disease put that legacy at risk. In the Ferris – Seminoe Mountains of central Wyoming, a reintroduced bighorn sheep herd remains largely disease - free, but continued population growth increases the risk of exposure to catastrophic pathogens.
To prevent population collapse, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department ha s implemented targeted ewe hunts to maintain herds within ecological carrying capacity. While firmly grounded in science, this approach has sparked debate among hunters and non - hunters alike.
This film explores a pivotal moment in bighorn sheep management, where long - term herd health, hard decisions, and the role of hunters converge to determine the future of an iconic species. Q&A with: Katie Cheesbrough, Wyoming WSF
Film Runtime: 13 minutes