| (Ovis dalli stonei) |
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Stone's sheep are 36 to 42 inches in height. Rams and ewes both grow horns
throughout their lives, but those of the ewe are less curved, more slender and shorter
(about ten inches long) than the ram's. The horns of a ram stop growing each fall,
resulting in a grooved rest line which, like tree rings, can be used to determine the age
of the ram. Stone's sheep are identifiable by their dark, blue-black coloring and stubby
white tail. Their underneath is a gray fleece, contrasting to brownish gray on back, while
the color on their face and legs is darker.
AVERAGE WEIGHT RANGE
Mature Stone’s sheep weigh between 125 and 200 pounds.
REPRODUCTION
Stone’s sheep mature slowly and have low reproductive rates. Females normally reach
breeding age at three years of age and produce only one lamb per year. Males breed
when their horns are large enough for them to establish a dominant position in the ram
hierarchy, usually at seven to nine years.
With the approach of the breeding season in October and early November, head
butting and clashing among rams increases. In a clash, two rams several yards apart
rise up on their hind legs and slam forward and downward into each other. Such
contests are usually won by the largest rams, which will have the advantage when the
ewes are in estrus and ready for breeding.
A dominant ram will guard an estrus ewe for 2 to 3 days until she indicates her
willingness to mate. After breeding, the ram will seek out additional estrus ewes.
The rut extends from mid-November to mid-December followed by a gestation period of
about 180 days. For protection from predators, ewes seek out steep terrain to give
birth. About a week after the lambs are born, ewes and lambs group together in nursery
bands, which remain in the lambing area for 3 to 4 weeks before moving on to the
summer range.
FOOD USAGE / SELECTION
Stone’s sheep eat grasses, sedges, broad-leaved plants and dwarf willows. In winter,
when these foods are scarce, the sheep add lichens to their diet. The distribution and
availability of forage requires the sheep to move seasonally between traditional summer
and winter ranges. The animals supplement their diet with regular visits to mineral licks.
RANGE
The Stone’s sheep are found in British Columbia and the Yukon.
HABITAT
Mountain slopes with sparse growth of trees, rugged terrain and meadows. Stone’s
sheep live mostly above timberline on ridges, dry meadows, and steep mountain slopes.
There usually are rocky outcrops and cliffs nearby. They are generally high country
animals but sometimes occur in rocky gorges below timberline. In the mountains, snow
may accumulate in some places and be almost completely swept off by winds in other
places, such as low plateaus and ridges. It is these latter areas that are important as
Stone’s sheep winter range from October to May, especially if they are adjacent to
precipitous escape terrain. The total size of the winter range used by Stone’s sheep is
usually much smaller than the summer range. In early summer, as the snow melts,
sheep expand their movements to incorporate recently exposed, greening vegetation,
generally at higher elevations.
COMMON HUNTING METHODS
Spot and stalk is the common method for hunting Stone’s sheep. Stalking of the sheep
occurs only after extensive glassing of the slopes. Because sheep are continuously
surveying lower terrain, the objective is to approach sheep from above. Most hunters
utilize high-powered rifles, as long-range shots are the norm.
HUNTING CHALLENGES / VALUES
Rough and rocky conditions at high altitudes can be very dangerous for hunters.
Hunters must carry a heavy pack through rugged alpine terrain while braving nasty
weather conditions. If a sheep is harvested, 40 to 80 pounds of meat plus the cape and
horns will have to be packed out. This sheep’s keen eyesight, smell, and hearing
quickly alert them to predators, or hunters adding to the challenge of the hunt. The size
of their horns and their majestic mounts make them an extremely sought after
possession.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
The Stone's Sheep is named after Andrew Jackson Stone, who discovered this sheep in
1896. It is also known as White Sheep or Dall Sheep.
Among these sheep, rank order among males is determined by horn size. Only rams
with horns of the same estimated size will fight each other. Males that are defeated in
battle, as well as of lower ranking, are treated like females. The high-ranking rams
disregard the actual females, except for during the “rut”. This permits weaker and
younger males to remain in the herd without being chased off.
Stone's sheep are 36 to 42 inches in height. Rams and ewes both grow horns
throughout their lives, but those of the ewe are less curved, more slender and shorter
(about ten inches long) than the ram's. The horns of a ram stop growing each fall,
resulting in a grooved rest line which, like tree rings, can be used to determine the age
of the ram. Stone's sheep are identifiable by their dark, blue-black coloring and stubby
white tail. Their underneath is a gray fleece, contrasting to brownish gray on back, while
the color on their face and legs is darker.
AVERAGE WEIGHT RANGE
Mature Stone’s sheep weigh between 125 and 200 pounds.
REPRODUCTION
Stone’s sheep mature slowly and have low reproductive rates. Females normally reach
breeding age at three years of age and produce only one lamb per year. Males breed
when their horns are large enough for them to establish a dominant position in the ram
hierarchy, usually at seven to nine years.
With the approach of the breeding season in October and early November, head
butting and clashing among rams increases. In a clash, two rams several yards apart
rise up on their hind legs and slam forward and downward into each other. Such
contests are usually won by the largest rams, which will have the advantage when the
ewes are in estrus and ready for breeding.
A dominant ram will guard an estrus ewe for 2 to 3 days until she indicates her
willingness to mate. After breeding, the ram will seek out additional estrus ewes.
The rut extends from mid-November to mid-December followed by a gestation period of
about 180 days. For protection from predators, ewes seek out steep terrain to give
birth. About a week after the lambs are born, ewes and lambs group together in nursery
bands, which remain in the lambing area for 3 to 4 weeks before moving on to the
summer range.
FOOD USAGE / SELECTION
Stone’s sheep eat grasses, sedges, broad-leaved plants and dwarf willows. In winter,
when these foods are scarce, the sheep add lichens to their diet. The distribution and
availability of forage requires the sheep to move seasonally between traditional summer
and winter ranges. The animals supplement their diet with regular visits to mineral licks.
RANGE
The Stone’s sheep are found in British Columbia and the Yukon.
HABITAT
Mountain slopes with sparse growth of trees, rugged terrain and meadows. Stone’s
sheep live mostly above timberline on ridges, dry meadows, and steep mountain slopes.
There usually are rocky outcrops and cliffs nearby. They are generally high country
animals but sometimes occur in rocky gorges below timberline. In the mountains, snow
may accumulate in some places and be almost completely swept off by winds in other
places, such as low plateaus and ridges. It is these latter areas that are important as
Stone’s sheep winter range from October to May, especially if they are adjacent to
precipitous escape terrain. The total size of the winter range used by Stone’s sheep is
usually much smaller than the summer range. In early summer, as the snow melts,
sheep expand their movements to incorporate recently exposed, greening vegetation,
generally at higher elevations.
COMMON HUNTING METHODS
Spot and stalk is the common method for hunting Stone’s sheep. Stalking of the sheep
occurs only after extensive glassing of the slopes. Because sheep are continuously
surveying lower terrain, the objective is to approach sheep from above. Most hunters
utilize high-powered rifles, as long-range shots are the norm.
HUNTING CHALLENGES / VALUES
Rough and rocky conditions at high altitudes can be very dangerous for hunters.
Hunters must carry a heavy pack through rugged alpine terrain while braving nasty
weather conditions. If a sheep is harvested, 40 to 80 pounds of meat plus the cape and
horns will have to be packed out. This sheep’s keen eyesight, smell, and hearing
quickly alert them to predators, or hunters adding to the challenge of the hunt. The size
of their horns and their majestic mounts make them an extremely sought after
possession.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
The Stone's Sheep is named after Andrew Jackson Stone, who discovered this sheep in
1896. It is also known as White Sheep or Dall Sheep.
Among these sheep, rank order among males is determined by horn size. Only rams
with horns of the same estimated size will fight each other. Males that are defeated in
battle, as well as of lower ranking, are treated like females. The high-ranking rams
disregard the actual females, except for during the “rut”. This permits weaker and
younger males to remain in the herd without being chased off.
