20 Mile Point Project (1999 - 2003): To verify a believed chronic debilitating winter-tick problem on Stone's sheep that winter at low elevations on 20 Mile Point, to determine the cause of the problem and the extent to which it affects herd health and productivity, and to investigate potential solutions to interrupt the tick cycle if found to be affecting herd health.

Peace Arm Demographics Project (2003 - 2005): To determine differences in lamb survival rates and causes of mortality between sub-populations of Stone's sheep that winter at low and high elevations along the Peace Arm, to determine rates and causes of mortality for adult sheep along the Peace Arm, and to address mortality issues and/or develop management prescriptions based on study findings.

Nabesche River to Butler Ridge, north side of Peace Arm (Williston Reservoir).

Adult Stone's sheep (n = 49) were captured and examined between 1999 and 2004 for winter tick loads and hair loss, with several sheep being captured and examined multiple times. Thirty-six sheep were fitted with VHF radio-collars and monitored once per month by fixed-wing telemetry. Flight frequency was increased during 2 important stages in the life cycle of the tick: when ticks drop-off (spring) and attach (fall) to their host. These data were used to correlate the seasonal movements and habitat use of sheep with the degree of hair loss caused by ticks. Remote weather stations were used to monitor annual spring and fall weather patterns. Eleven newborn lambs were captured and fitted with expandable VHF radio-collars in June 2003 and June 2004, and monitored along with collared adult sheep. Sheep mortalities were detected during fixed-wing monitoring flights and investigated to determine cause of death. Population inventories were conducted by Bell 206 helicopter using radio-collared animals to correct for sightability.

March 1999 to June 2005

• Ecology and Health of Stone's Sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) in the Dunlevy/Schooler Area, North Eastern, British Columbia [PDF, 3.3 Mb]
• Project Working Plan 1999 [PDF, 164 Kb]
• Sheep and Goat Summer Survey 1998 [PDF, 997 Kb]