On the wintering range

[Stid2677]

Very cool to be in the company of a ram like that. Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[Muleyhunter92]

Awesome pictures!

 

[Muledeernv]

Awesome pics thanks for sharing

 

[Maah Daah Hey]

Great pictures!

 

[Stew]

Nice looking ram. Any cat sign on your hike.

 

[Buster]

No cat tracks either. Top snow layer was about 24 hours old, and I didn't see any older stuff that looked like dog or cat. More critters will be on that range as the winter progresses. I'm sure the predators will follow.

The wife and I plan to check out another range next days off.

 

[justin davis]

That's a beast

 

[Buster]

Finally heard back from the biologist today. First, he wants to consult with other biologists over the pictures before he infers on a cause. He seems pretty excited and interested in researching this issue more. Second, since I sent him pictures of the radium ram (one horned ram in the "ram porn" thread), the conservation officers and biologists have not seem him. Unfortunately they have not been able to determine his fate. I'll keep you guys posted as I find out more.

 

[Stew]

Finally heard back from the biologist today. First, he wants to consult with other biologists over the pictures before he infers on a cause. He seems pretty excited and interested in researching this issue more. Second, since I sent him pictures of the radium ram (one horned ram in the "ram porn" thread), the conservation officers and biologists have not seem him. Unfortunately they have not been able to determine his fate. I'll keep you guys posted as I find out more.

To my knowledge the radium ram is dead we watched him for years when he still had both horns. What bios are you talking to about him, the ones that live there or the wardens should no. I will try and ask a few that no on the weekend.

 

[Bughalli]

Great pics and more so, thanks for doing wolf patrol

 

[Buster]

To my knowledge the radium ram is dead we watched him for years when he still had both horns. What bios are you talking to about him, the ones that live there or the wardens should no. I will try and ask a few that no on the weekend.

I remember you mentioning that in the ram porn thread. I've been in contact with Laurence Umsonst, in Invermere. The Fernie office had referred me to him regarding that ram. If you can shed any official light on his death, it would be great. I'm still trying to get a solid answer on how this horn rot affects the rams health.

 

[Stew]

I remember you mentioning that in the ram porn thread. I've been in contact with Laurence Umsonst, in Invermere. The Fernie office had referred me to him regarding that ram. If you can shed any official light on his death, it would be great. I'm still trying to get a solid answer on how this horn rot affects the rams health.

I just called a friend that was watching him and he hasn't been seen since spring I think he means last spring he was well photographed and watched so they figure dead I had heard hit by a car storys but the park wardens usally pick them up. There is a group that is shooting these rams though as well as picking up some of the road kills. One horn hasn't shown up as one of theres yet though.
He always looked healthy but sometimes seemed to be a loaner.

 

[Buster]

Heard back from the biologist today. He has circulated my pictures to a few of his colleagues to get a discussion going on the possible cause of this horn issue. So far, the general consensus is that it all starts with chipping damage (from butting heads) that ends up exposing the core. Once the core is exposed, apparently it does not hold up well to the elements. It is a part of their skeletal structure, and must deteriorate in a similar fashion that old animal bones would if they were just left to the elements. Incidentally, I'm guessing that other infections may occur due to the lack of a protective shell, but core deterioration is likely the main contributing factor. You can see the rough, uneven bone in the pictures of the radium ram (in the ram porn thread).

As for Buster, he likely preferred to impact with his left horn. Several years of massive force took their toll, and once the chip reached the core, the problem amplified quickly. If he makes the winter, his left core will likely look similar to the radium rams.

Stew, thanks for looking into the radium ram, it's too bad that he was never recovered. The biologists admit that they know very little about this, and are inferring on a lot of it. His carcass would have shed a lot of light on the issue.

 

[Buster]

I forgot to mention, for the guys that haven't seen horns come off, there is a membrane that connects the horn to the core. With it being exposed, it likely dies off.

 

[Buster]

He's still a 2 horned ram, and 3 others have joined up, totalling 5 rams. Still no wolf tracks, which is a good thing.

 

[Akshphntr]

Wow, amazing sheep. The biggest rams I have seen have eluded me to this point and seeing that monarch makes me glad they are out there breeding.....

 

[Buster]

Been back out there on wolf patrol a couple of times. Still no sightings yet, but I had them howling before first light yesterday. Went out today with my better half today for a great day in the powder trails. Saw several bands of sheep, tonnes of elk, a couple mule deer and a moose. Avalanche conditions kept us away from any of the slopes, but we did set up for a couple squealing sits down lower. No dogs or cats came in, but the tracks we cut were all probably 2 days old. Great day never the less.

 

[Buster]

And Buster still has 2 horns.

 

[WonkyWapiti]

Thanks for sharing these pics, I love that area. My buddy and I have been going up there for an annual fly fishing trip. He is headed up in the next couple of weeks for a cougar hunt that he's been wanting to go on for years.

 

[Buster]

Thanks for sharing these pics, I love that area. My buddy and I have been going up there for an annual fly fishing trip. He is headed up in the next couple of weeks for a cougar hunt that he's been wanting to go on for years.

Who is the cat hunt with? The funny thing is, even though I live here, I've never done a true cat hunt. We always have a tag in case, but it's still on the "to do" list.