Kamloops Sheep Transplant

[David Heitsman]

Just returned from assisting in netting and medicating and loading 20 plus
sheep for the Fraser River area west of Williams Lake.

The sheep had been coming to the bait (hay) under the net for over a week and then of course when all of us are there not a one at the appointed time. We were biting them at the Sun Rivers Golf course.

We waited for about an hour and then some of us slowly eased around them and gently 'herded' them a couple kilometres to the waiting net.
I wouldn't have believed that you could do that.

At the drop of the net we ran and held them still as they were bouncing like popcorn in a skillet. Once the blindolf was on and the knees and hocks restrained with hobbles, many became quite docile.

They were then ear tagged, biopsied, innoculated, boosted and proctologised by a vet and his assistants from the TRU. Thompson Rivers University.

They were then sacked up and carried to a waiting trailer for transport
to their new home on the Fraser.

There will be pics on the Wild Sheep Society webpages in the next week or so.

Special thanx to Susan Lemke, Darryl Stepaniuk both with the Province
and Chris Barker pres. of the Wild Sheep Society for the truck and trailer and also Bill Pifer , VP of the Wild Sheep Society for co-ordinating the arrival of the volunteers.

A huge thank you to the KIB for making these sheep available to transplant. Darryl, Barry etc thank-you!

There was around 60 volunteers initially and it was much appreciated.
I'm looking forward to the next one where we can assist in placing "More Sheep on the Mountain".

[Mtn Wonderer]

I too, was there. Once we managed to get the sheep on the bait. Net down. All seemed to go quite well.
A first for me but defintely not the last.

Fun voly work I like it!!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I hear mark thought he was in the Super Bowl and made a game saving tackle8).

Had to stay home sick today. Wish I could have been there.

Good work!!

SSS

[Gateholio]

Sounds like a better thing to do on a Sunday than watch a football game...:cool:

[Poguebilt]

good job guys!

[ruttinbuck]

I wish I would have known earlier than friday.Probably could have got the day off and volunteered to help.An experience I hope to take in some time.Does the sheep society usually post when and where these captures are taking place?

[David Heitsman]

I saw a lot of cameras there, maybe a HBC member with better technical ability that myself could post some pics?

[Caveman]

They popped the net prematurely because Mark was trying to bring the whole herd in. I told him to let a band of fifteen fall behind so we had a plan "B". Mark jumped on a 2-3yr old ram missed by the net and I ran in to assist him and everyone else jumped on to grab ones trapped under the net. We blindfolded and hobbled it and the I grabbed another while Mark kept his under control. A very cool experience and as Mtn Wonderer it won't be that last time I'm there either. :p

David, Alex and I both have pictures to post.

Doug, talk is Tranquille herd next year.

[ruttinbuck]

thanks Greg.
Can't wait to see the pics,did anyone get any of the rodeo?

[Caveman]

Couldn't tell you Doug, our hands were full, something may come out of the woodwork, there were a lot a cameras around. A mix of rams and ewes were captured, nothing of any real size though.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0244.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0245.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0246.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0247.jpg

[Caveman]

Here's a few more.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0249.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0250.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0251.jpg

[Caveman]

Alex, that about the only time I saw that sheep sit still for you.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0252.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c247/cavemn94/000_0253.jpg

[Lil Buck]

Looks good .
I too wish I knew about it before thurseday..
Oh well someday
Just A word of advice for the sheep agm auction dinner and good time .
the hotel is almost booked for Friday .Sat still has 32 rooms so dont wait too long ,getem early.
See ya there


:cool:lb

[bruin]

Very cool experience, I hope to get in on a few of those when the schedule allows. Good work everyone that helped

[bighornbob]

The pics are too big, I will make them smaller tommorrow and post some then. It was a great day.

BHB

[calvin L]

I am very happy to see you are still up big horn bob as I thought you would have been a sleep by know after riding that poor little sheep all afternoon.


calvin L

[bighornbob]

Well as stated by David the day was great even though it did not start well. Unfortunatly half the volunteers went home too early as the bios said it probably would not happen that day. Well a few guys went up the hill and started herding the sheep toward the bait.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/herding.jpg

As the guys pushed the sheep toward the bait the rest of the people walked the road below to keep them heading in the right direction. We got the call that the sheep were under the net and the horse trailer that was going to transport the sheep picked us up and took us to the net. When it stopped the net was already down and the sheep going crazy. We all ran out and grabbed a sheep and held them down to make sure they did not injure themselves. It took awhile before the sheep were hobbled and blinded folded so the net could start to be removed.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/group_1.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/group_2.jpg

Here is Caveman with his pretty lady.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/caveman.jpg

[bighornbob]

Mark with one of the two rams that was caught.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/mark.jpg


CalinL and David Heitsman (on the right holding down a few sheep)

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/calvin.jpg

As already stated some of the sheep mellowed right out while others (like the one I was holding) would rest for a bit then kick and try and get up. You would be surprised the strength they have.

Once the sheep were processed (blood samples, ear tags, some got radio collars) they were loaded into a horse trailer.

Here are the sheep waiting for their ride to their new home.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/trailer.jpg

Like I said it was a great day. There were quite a few HBC members ,as most are also Wild Sheep Society members. CalvinL, Mark, Caveman, Boxhitch, David Heitsman, Ramshot and Mtn Wonderer as well as myself were there. Those were the ones I knew about, I am sure there were a few more too. looking forward to next years roundup:razz:

BHB

[BCrams]

Certainly looks like a trailer load of cat food :-)

Lets hope it is successful in the long run.

[Ramshot]

Better they take a chance with a feline than a vehicle on the Yellowhead highway!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

BHB always talked about "mounting" another ram. Didn't think he meant that way:grin:!

SSS

[bighornbob]

I was mounting ewe, thanks:eek:

Mark was the one mounting a ram.

BHB

[Caveman]

I was mounting ewe, thanks:eek:

Mark was the one mounting a ram.

BHB

Was that meant to be: I was mounting you, thanks:eek: .....:shock:!!!

[bighornbob]

Was that meant to be: I was mounting you, thanks:eek: .....:shock:!!!


Good thing SSS was not there, he would have passed a new strain of Pneumonia or Lungworm to the sheep:biggrin:

BHB

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Good thing SSS was not there, he would have passed a new strain of Pneumonia or Lungworm to the sheep:biggrin:

BHB

I guess I should have gone and got a shot in the arse like the sheep:|.

SSS

[mark]

BHB always talked about "mounting" another ram. Didn't think he meant that way:grin:!

SSS

It was a great day for sure, and ya, as usual, every sheep joke or comment ever invented was passed around as we held our sheep! Them velcro gloves sure work great! :smile:

[Will]

Good for those involved !
Looks like alot of Hunters were involved in this......where were all the Do-gooder animal rights folks ? too Busy to help I guess :wink:

Well done Folks ! :smile:

[Caveman]

Good for those involved !
Looks like alot of Hunters were involved in this......where were all the Do-gooder animal rights folks ? too Busy to help I guess :wink:

Well done Folks ! :smile:

Honestly Rick, there may have been a few, but when they announced that the capture likely wouldn't happen half the volunteers left. The rest of us hung around slingin' the sh*t, when the idea to attempt to drive them towards the net was put to action. Who knew it would actually work.

[Will]

...when the idea to attempt to drive them towards the net was put to action. Who knew it would actually work.
Just like the Old days when Man used to run them off cliffs and such I guess ! :smile:

Good for You Folks ! I'm sorry I couldn't help....My daughter's 3rd Birthday:razz:

[Wild one]

How does somone get involved in this it looks like a I would like to try.

[Caveman]

How does somone get involved in this it looks like a I would like to try.
Keep an eye on the Wild Sheeps Society web site they were advertising for volunteers, and guys were talking about it