Bighorn Sheep Pics

[GoatGuy]

Some pics my buddy sent. I have more on my video cam that I need to download.

Keep in mind that when you take your sheep horns in the F&W branch don't care about 6 months, they count in years.

Female Lamb (~ 6 months old <1 yr)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/lamb_ewe.JPG

Male Lamb (~ 6 months old <1 yr)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/lamb_ram.JPG

Yearling Ram (~ 18 months old <2 yrs)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/yearling_ram.JPG

Class I Ram (~30 months < 3 yrs)

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/class_I.JPG


To broom back 2 years approximate diameter at the horn tip would be 10-14". About the size of your forearm, or for all you skinny people, your bicep.:biggrin:

[BCrams]

Good stuff GG!!

It supplements and matches the table I put up from prior sheep work on horn growth for male and female bighorns!

[Kody94]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

Thanks GG. Corroborates my thinking, observations and contentions on the other thread.

You can see the lamb tip pretty clearly on the ~30 mo ram....looks like 4.5-5" or so.

Cheers
4Ster

[ThinAir]

Good pics.

Tell your buddy to supply pics through to age 8.
Please attach GPS coordinates at age 8. :-P

[jml11]

Cool photos, matches up with what I have recently learned as well. For more photos type in Bighorn Sheep in Google images. There are some other great photos showing how long the lamb tip is on young Bighorn rams.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/yearling_ram.JPG

So for that Spences ram (where the growing season is slightly longer) to broom back to his second annuli he would havehad to knock off a good 12-15".

SSSSter.......not sure if you kept following the Spences Ram thread but most of us agreed with what you had said...after learning more, of course.

Thanks for the pics GG!!
Always good to learn something new.

SSS

[6616]

Good job Zeee.

[Kody94]

SSSSter.......not sure if you kept following the Spences Ram thread but most of us agreed with what you had said...after learning more, of course.
SSS

I was away from the site for a while...missed most of it but am slowly catching up! :)


GG...are these DL pics? They look like that neck of the woods anyway.

Cheers
SSSTer

[BCrams]

SSSter

GG was definatly with him taking the pics.

[budismyhorse]

So applying GG's photos, how old is this ram taken a few years ago in the EK.

I'll say 5.5

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

[jml11]

So applying GG's photos, how old is this ram taken a few years ago in the EK.

I'll say 4.5

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


My guess would be 7.5 if the black line just above the base is an annuli

[twanger]

Her's one for you sheep guy's, how old :grin:
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180101.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11589&ppuser=1707)

[6616]

My guess would be 7.5 if the black line just above the base is an annuli

That's what I thought too until I blew the photo up, lots of questionable potential annuli, could be anywhere between 7 1/2 and 4 1/2.

[twanger]

Another
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180109.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11590)

[6616]

Her's one for you sheep guy's, how old :grin:
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180101.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11589&ppuser=1707)

5 1/2, I don't think there's another annulus near the base.

[twanger]

Younger One :-P
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180114.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11591)

[jml11]

Younger One :-P
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180114.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11591)


A little more than 3.5?...and nearly full curl too!

[twanger]

OH THE MASS :biggrin:

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180112.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11592)

[budismyhorse]

GG, not trying to hijack your thread, I just want to use your info to get some of this straight!

Using the circumfrences from GG's pics, I am saying that the first visible ring is this rams 1.5 ring. This makes sense to me as his base would have no circular form yet. Then 5 rings and he is killed in September, therefore that dark line just above his skull can't be a ring as that would mean he only grew 1/2 inch since the previous november. Doesn't make sense. Being a young ram he is putting on lots of horn during that time of his life. I know the picture is kind of blury, I was more concerned with the circumfrences idea GG is trying to get across in this photos.

Your right about that first ring Andy,

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/EK_full_curl_3.JPG

[6616]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/EK_full_curl_2.JPG

My best guess is that the first tic mark is 1 1/2 yrs, that should make him 6 1/2.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

So applying GG's photos, how old is this ram taken a few years ago in the EK.

I'll say 4.5

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

Harder to see the annuli for sure
I'll guess 5 1/2??

SSS

[Stone Sheep Steve]

5 1/2, I don't think there's another annulus near the base.

I'll give him 6 since that pic looks like it's the spring. Looks like he's got a wee bit of new spring growth?

SSS

[pickaspot]

I dont think there is any way he is 4.5. My guess is 6.5. That being said aging bighorns by age rings is difficult to be precise. Its not uncommon for two sheep experts to disagree with the horns in hand!

Shoot straight.

[Bighorn hunter]

where is willy442 to figure this out for us?

[358mag]

OH THE MASS :biggrin:

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/P6180112.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11592)
LIKE MY OLD EX GIRL FREIND THEY ALWAYS LOOK BIGGER FROM BEHIND !!!

[GoatGuy]

LIKE MY OLD EX GIRL FREIND THEY ALWAYS LOOK BIGGER FROM BEHIND !!!

Good from far, but far from good.:redface:

[GoatGuy]

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/yearling_ram.JPG

So for that Spences ram (where the growing season is slightly longer) to broom back to his second annuli he would havehad to knock off a good 12-15".

SSSSter.......not sure if you kept following the Spences Ram thread but most of us agreed with what you had said...after learning more, of course.

Thanks for the pics GG!!
Always good to learn something new.

SSS

12-15" just to get passed the first annuli.

According to the ministry this ram is only 1 year old.

Knock all that growth off on an older ram and then you have second year growth to chew through to get to the second annuli.

So probably over ~22+" to get to second annuli.

I'm sure that's what you were saying anyways.:p

[358mag]

Good from far, but far from good.:redface:
Hey but after 6 weeks in the north country even the trolls in Waston Lake look good !! just dont wake up beside them .

[daycort]

Hey but after 6 weeks in the north country even the trolls in Waston Lake look good !! just dont wake up beside them

Sounds like ya might have suffered from a little coyote arm up north. Everthing looks good coming out of the bush after 3 months.

coyote arm- to chew arm off if a troll is laying on it, rather then wake her up and see that copenhagen in her teeth again.

[BCrams]

My best guess is that the first tic mark is 1 1/2 yrs, that should make him 6 1/2.

I got 6.5 too!

btw ...your marking sucks :mrgreen:

[Ambush]

Keep in mind that when you take your sheep horns in the F&W branch don't care about 6 months, they count in years



GG. Just to clarify for me. Are you saying the ministry calls a 2 1/2 year old sheep two or three?

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Actually I was referring to his second annuli(the one after his lambtip annuli)....ie his yearling growth ring.


12-15" just to get passed the first annuli.

According to the ministry this ram is only 1 year old.

Knock all that growth off on an older ram and then you have second year growth to chew through to get to the second annuli.

So probably over ~22+" to get to second annuli.

I'm sure that's what you were saying anyways.:p

[BCrams]

Keep in mind that when you take your sheep horns in the F&W branch don't care about 6 months, they count in years



GG. Just to clarify for me. Are you saying the ministry calls a 2 1/2 year old sheep two or three?

a 2 1/2 year old ram will be just that in the fall (beginning of annuli)......in the spring 'prior' to his summer's growth .... the ram will be 3 (end of that annuli)

[6616]

Keep in mind that when you take your sheep horns in the F&W branch don't care about 6 months, they count in years

GG. Just to clarify for me. Are you saying the ministry calls a 2 1/2 year old sheep two or three?


I believe the answer is two. They count the total number of annuli, not the spaces in between, so the half year gets left off.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/cisheep.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11606)

[BCrams]

Actually 6616,

If we were to count the 2.5 mark - it would be where the 3 is. To simplify the translation with the 1/2 year mark increments ....

1/2 = 1 annuli
1.5 = 2 "
2.5 = 3 "
3.5 = 4 "
4.5 = 5 "
5.5 = 6 "
6.5 = 7 "

In the diagram, the last annuli is labeled as 7 .... if this was an actual ram ... it would be 7 or by adding that summer's growth 7 1/2 to the base.

Then again for CI purposes - getting down to the actual seasonal growths isn't necessary like I do! All that matters is the ram is in its 7th year etc ...


I believe the answer is two. They count the total number of annuli, not the spaces in between, so the half year gets left off.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/cisheep.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11606)

[boxhitch]

Then again for CI purposes - getting down to the actual seasonal growths isn't necessary like I do! All that matters is the ram is in its 7th year etc ...er, 8th year ? has had 7 birthdays already ?

[BCrams]

er, 8th year ? has had 7 birthdays already ?

Can you clarify what you're trying to say. :)


A ram's 8th year occurs after he turns 8 ?? No ?? Of which the CI diagram, the ram is in its 7th year.

[boxhitch]

A ram's 8th year occurs after he turns 8 ??

Something is started at Day 0, lives 364 days, has a birthday, is now one year old. Next 365 is working on the second year, leading up to the second birthday...........and so on

Each annuli is a birthday present, seven rings , seven years old.
Growth at the base is since the last birthday, but is not a full year so not counted. May be observed in May, July or October, it doesn't add up to a year.

[budismyhorse]

How about looking at the evidence on the horn in months.

Assuming that the first ring is formed after 6 months, then 12 months to the next ring and so forth. If it is killed in september, given 10 months in the final section of horn..

6+12+12+12+12+12+12+10=88

88/12=7.3

7.3 years on this earth.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/cisheep2.JPG

[6616]

Actually 6616,

If we were to count the 2.5 mark - it would be where the 3 is. To simplify the translation with the 1/2 year mark increments ....

1/2 = 1 annuli
1.5 = 2 "
2.5 = 3 "
3.5 = 4 "
4.5 = 5 "
5.5 = 6 "
6.5 = 7 "

In the diagram, the last annuli is labeled as 7 .... if this was an actual ram ... it would be 7 or by adding that summer's growth 7 1/2 to the base.

Then again for CI purposes - getting down to the actual seasonal growths isn't necessary like I do! All that matters is the ram is in its 7th year etc ...

Yes, you are correct, I satnd corrected.

[6616]

How about looking at the evidence on the horn in months.

Assuming that the first ring is formed after 6 months, then 12 months to the next ring and so forth. If it is killed in september, given 10 months in the final section of horn..

6+12+12+12+12+12+12+10=88

88/12=7.3

7.3 years on this earth.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/cisheep2.JPG

Yup, this is the "actual" age of the ram, but differs from what the CI inspector will write on the form.

[GoatGuy]

Keep in mind that when you take your sheep horns in the F&W branch don't care about 6 months, they count in years



GG. Just to clarify for me. Are you saying the ministry calls a 2 1/2 year old sheep two or three?


2


Definition:

Mountain Sheep - Mature Bighorn Ram –
means any bighorn ram mountain sheep that
has attained the age of 8 years as evidenced
by true horn annuli as determined by the
regional manager or designate, or whose
horn tip, when viewed squarely from the side
extends upwards beyond the forehead-nose
bridge.


For some reason people seem to get caught up with the 6 months and count it as 'in its 8th year.' It's confusing to say the least (see above posts).

Unless you're OC (I know I am) the .5 aren't worth counting. Personally I start at the base and work outwards. Last 6 months aren't counted - makes things easy. Count in whole years and you don't need to worry about it.

If you really want to get into it you really don't know if it's .5. The ram might have been harvest on Aug 1 which would make it 7.16 not 7.5. Conversely it could have been harvested in the middle of October which would make it 7.56. The ram could have been born late or early which will also throw a wrench into things.
:lol:

[budismyhorse]

If you really want to get into it you really don't know if it's .5. The ram might have been harvest on Aug 1 which would make it 7.16 not 7.5. Conversely it could have been harvested in the middle of October which would make it 7.56. The ram could have been born late or early which will also throw a wrench into things.
:lol:

Doesn't matter if you get 7.9, the point is until that ram has grown 8 rings on its horns at some point, you can't "round up" from 7.5 to 8.....like some people have suggested you can.

[GoatGuy]

Doesn't matter if you get 7.9, the point is until that ram has grown 8 rings on its horns at some point, you can't "round up" from 7.5 to 8.....like some people have suggested you can.
exactly, no roundy up error allowed. Only roundy down.

[boxhitch]

The only dates that get rounded up are 18 yearolds saying they are in their 19th year, trying to ge t into the bar.
Or 5,6,7, yr olds trying to grow up too quick. "I'm 6 next month, can I go too ?"
Or the guy in court "she said she will be 16.....soon".

If the birthday isn't there it isn't counted.

[BCrams]

You guys are crazy .... we know the 1/2 really just stands for the fall harvest of the said ram but if you want to get into specific months! Fly at it!

Bottom line - the CI will always count full numbers from the first annuli from the tip. I still get the same result either way for age!

[boxhitch]

So Rams , 8th year, correct ? No?



You guys are crazy
Stay on topic:)

[GoatGuy]

The only dates that get rounded up are 18 yearolds saying they are in their 19th year, trying to ge t into the bar.
Or 5,6,7, yr olds trying to grow up too quick. "I'm 6 next month, can I go too ?"
Or the guy in court "she said she will be 16.....soon".

If the birthday isn't there it isn't counted.
Bh,
That was your outside voice.

[BCrams]

So Rams , 8th year, correct ? No?

Stay on topic:)

You need to back up north! :lol:

8th year of being alive .....

[boxhitch]

That was your outside voice.You mean somebody heard me ?
Didn't sound bad from here.

[Ambush]

Good thread, good info, AND pictures of sheep. Factual info can sometimes be hard to find in some threads. Thanks for this one. I always approach "ring counting" with trepidation.

[6616]

Good thread, good info, AND pictures of sheep. Factual info can sometimes be hard to find in some threads. Thanks for this one. I always approach "ring counting" with trepidation.

X2, I think we all learned something good from these threads, thanks to GB etal for digging up the good info, thanks for the thoughtful participation by all, forget the group hug GG....!