Big Horn Ewe / Lamb LEH

[chinook150]

Is this a new draw?

6016 Fraser River 3-17 A Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 29.0:1
6017 Kamloops Lake 3-29 A Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 79.0:1
6018 Kamloops Lake 3-29 C Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 98.0:1
6019 Kamloops Lake 3-29 D Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 41.0:1
6020 Fraser River 3-31 B Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 12.0:1
6021 Fraser River 3-31 C Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 37.0:1
6022 Fraser River 3-32 C** Nov 1-Nov 15 Ewe or lamb 1 48.0:1

[dodge456]

I'm not familiar with what sheep draws are or were available but seeing how those ones have draw odds attached they are not new. The odds are based on the previous year's results.

[264mag]

Have never heard of anyone shooting a ewe or lamb, doesn’t tickle my fancy. Am I missing something ?

[dmuth]

Sheep are excellent eating, so if the range is over populated in that area this is a great thing.

[chinook150]

nor have I. weird to see that its only 1 per draw. i feel like female, or immature hunts are for strong populations and usually have if pop is strong there is more than 1 tag awarded.

[DStewart]

Majority of these draws have been in place since I have been applying (last few years). These areas would not necessarily be deemed “over populated”, but are seen as healthy enough by biologists to support a hunt with no detrimental effect on population sizes.

My best guess on the single tag allotments would be to allow/increase more interest in sheep, while minimizing impact on the herds.

Generally any new draws in the LEH synopsis will be highlighted in color (orange I believe).

[warnniklz]

Not a new draw. Have seen "trophy" rooms of ewes and/or lambs. Have one buddy that applies every year. If they happen to get the draw... well...

[jac]

Apply for the draw and if you get it burn the tag, what a joke if you ask me.

[boxhitch]

Tag numbers used to be higher, reducing to 1 leaves the hunt on the list without killing it, Region can adjust as needed.
If an LEH goes to 0, it is off the books and has to be reestablished, rejustified, renegotiated, etc in Victoria

Stare at sheep long enough, and the thought of a lamb BBQ is mouth watering

[albravo2]

Stare at sheep long enough, and the thought of a lamb BBQ is mouth watering

I'm with you. If the herd is healthy I see no reason why not. I would hazard a guess that it might be the tastiest prey in the entire hunting synopsis.

[emerson]

Also, how many successful draws vs animals taken? I can see hunting for weeks and not taking one, if I had the time and $$.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

As mentioned, they have been in place for a long time.
Historically, sheep populations have die-offs every so many years...and most of the die-offs have occurred during high populations. It’s preferred to move sheep to supplement struggling existing populations but not always practical. The receiving range and sheep must be in good shape. Eg. moving sheep to the diseased Crater mtn area now would be a waste of time and effort as they are still battling psoroptes.

SSS

[Walking Buffalo]

Have never heard of anyone shooting a ewe or lamb, doesn’t tickle my fancy. Am I missing something ?

Yes, you are.

They are great eating! Though some individual animals might not be so great if they are into the sagebrush.
Many can appreciate the hunting experience and even a "trophy" value without the big horns.
Heck, many ewes have bigger, thus unquestionably "better" trophy horns than mountain goats....


Being redundant here....
Ewe harvest where appropriate is Important.
Maintaining sheep herds BELOW carrying capacity is vital for their health.

Not only does this help reduce disease issues, having a Young (age class of ewes) breeding population at below carrying capacity produces MUCH more vigorous and healthy sheep, with much Higher reproduction rates.

In this case where only a single tag is being issued, the reasoning typically is to maintain a legislated hunt.
It is much easier to maintain and expand when possible an open season compared to re-opening a closed season.

[BlacktailStalker]

Us hunters sure are a funny bunch... in the form of opportunity, complain about what we don’t have, used to have but also what we do have.
Boxhitch is right ! Usually about day 6 lambs make the mouth start watering.