BOZEMAN — A series of free, public meetings will be held in Montana communities in April and May to discuss the Wild and Domestic Sheep Comingling Project. The initiative studies the risks of contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats and explores tools to maintain effective separation between species to mitigate or prevent disease-related issues.
The meetings will be hosted by Montana State University Extension in collaboration with biologists from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
“Our meetings embrace a participatory, transparent research model, inviting all stakeholders to co-produce solutions,” said Jared Beaver, MSU Extension wildlife specialist.
Beaver said project managers are seeking to build broad support and participation in the initiative across Montana’s sheep community. They are recruiting producers to participate.
“Wild and domestic sheep interactions and respiratory disease affect lamb growers, wool producers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike,” Beaver said. “True co-production and community engagement are essential to meet the needs of our study.”
Managing wild and domestic sheep interactions creates unique biological, social and cultural challenges, he added. Project managers look to capture the full story by partnering with communities.
“Our project will generate innovative management strategies that benefit producers, wildlife managers and sheep, both domestic and wild,” said Beaver.
All meetings are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Additional support for these meetings is provided by the Montana Wool Growers Association and the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation. A full meeting schedule is below.
- April 22, Hamilton: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Bitterroot River Inn, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Dr.
- May 6, Wolf Creek: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wolf Creek School, 150 Walsh St.
- May 15, Thompson Falls: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 2519 Industrial Way.
- May 20, Dillon: Noon-1 p.m., Beaverhead County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 715 S. Railroad Ave.
- May 20, Twin Bridges: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Madison County Fairgrounds Jeffers Building, 2 Fairgrounds Loop Road.
- May 29, Emigrant: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Emigrant Community Hall, 3 Story Road.
For more information about wild or domestic sheep, visit https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/index.html.
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MSU News
