Bighorn Sheep Survey

February 8, 2024

Question: What does CDFW do with the information gathered at the bighorn sheep survey in Southern California?

Answer: CDFW organizes a survey each year to determine the number of bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

After receiving specialized training on how to classify the sex and age of bighorn sheep, some 150 volunteers break into small groups that spend most of the day hiking and looking for bighorn sheep.

Volunteer observations help CDFW calculate population estimates that assist the department in monitoring the health and long-term sustainability of this unique population of desert bighorn sheep that occupies high-elevation habitat.

Volunteer assistance is welcome because the areas being surveyed are large, widespread and in some cases very rugged. Volunteers using binoculars or a spotting scope greatly aid CDFW in accomplishing the survey’s goals.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age and be capable of hiking up to five miles in mountain terrain. Volunteers for the March 3, 2024 event can sign up here: Bighorn Sheep Survey Form at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=JTxjS7_vBkCfFQdEK6eqCzwhv8MR4C5FgMYRvs7snbFUNlNHQ1JMNDZUR0lJMVhUSjFTVlpaOUY5RC4u