AK Sheep, Population Observations

[Mykolaivka887]

it's been a couple of months since the last post, any updates? has AK F&G started any survey work yet?

Thanks!

No survey work, but just completed 3 weeks of collaring and aerial radio telemetry work. As someone else mentioned, we do aerial surveys in July. During winter and spring months, we perform collaring and biological tasks and telemetry studies.

 

[mtwarden]

No survey work, but just completed 3 weeks of collaring and aerial radio telemetry work. As someone else mentioned, we do aerial surveys in July. During winter and spring months, we perform collaring and biological tasks and telemetry studies.

any general sense on how things look as far as winter kill?

 

[Mykolaivka887]

any general sense on how things look as far as winter kill?

Hard to say until the last week of July when the numbers are tabulated, but probably about the same as the winters of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021.

 

[schmalzy]

I know it might be early for survey results but curious to hear how everything’s panning out thus far?


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[AlaskaMark]

I know it might be early for survey results but curious to hear how everything’s panning out thus far?


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This below is cut & paste from Advisory Committee newsletter:
ADF&G is gearing up to conduct the surveys in July. Once they are complete and the information analyzed, a presentation to the board will be scheduled. Boards Support will notify the public when the presentation is expected to occur.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I know it might be early for survey results but curious to hear how everything’s panning out thus far?


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Sheep numbers continue to decline across Alaska.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I know it might be early for survey results but curious to hear how everything’s panning out thus far?


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I could be wrong, but I believe it was Schmalzy that's headed toward the White River country this coming fall. I flew over all that a couple days ago. Helluva lot of snow still in that country. Still looking pretty white in there.

 

[schmalzy]

I could be wrong, but I believe it was Schmalzy that's headed toward the White River country this coming fall. I flew over all that a couple days ago. Helluva lot of snow still in that country. Still looking pretty white in there.

Wrangells for me with Mont Mahoney.


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[Mykolaivka887]

Wrangells for me with Mont Mahoney.


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Yep, that's what I thought.

 

[mtwarden]

any "official" word yet?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Wrangells for me with Mont Mahoney.


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I know another guy who left yesterday to go hunt with Mont

 

[Mykolaivka887]

any "official" word yet?

The official word after all the flying last week, is that sheep numbers continue to plummet and the cohorts - age classes and ram:ewe and lamb:ewe - are severely imbalanced.

 

[mtwarden]

^ that's no welcome news

I see the USFS shut a section of the Brooks down due to poor numbers

 

[ColeyG]

What does this imbalance look like?

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I see the USFS shut a section of the Brooks down due to poor numbers

The Dept of Agriculture (US Forest Service) didn't reduce sheep hunting opportunities in the Central Brooks Range Mountains, it was the Dept of Interior (US Fish & Wildlife Service).

 

[mtwarden]

ahhhh

 

[VernAK]

Feds have now shutdown the sheep hunt near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. Unit 7 IIRC.

 

[VernAK]

ADFG yesterday did more survey work in DCUA Johnson River country. I have no official results but preliminary numbers are not good.

 

[WalterH]

The Dept of Agriculture (US Forest Service) didn't reduce sheep hunting opportunities in the Central Brooks Range Mountains, it was the Dept of Interior (US Fish & Wildlife Service).

I think it was the fed subsistence board, right, not an agency?

I've heard a few reports from some youth hunts so far. None have been encouraging, which is no surprise.

 

[WalterH]

Feds have now shutdown the sheep hunt near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. Unit 7 IIRC.

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/wsa-unit-7-dall-sheep-2022-emergency-action.pdf