FWP will trap up to 30 sheep on Wild Horse Island and move them to Kootenai Falls Wildlife Management Area west of Libby to augment that existing herd. The capture and relocation effort is planned for early next week, and will depend on weather conditions and helicopter availability. A professional helicopter capture group is contracted to capture the sheep. FWP surveys have indicated the population on Wild Horse Island has grown to between 130 and 150 sheep. Trapping and transplanting activities to manage the herd are typically initiated when the population reaches 100 animals. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has utilized the Wild Horse Island population as a nursery herd. Many new Montana bighorn sheep populations have been initiated or augmented with Wild Horse Island bighorn sheep over the years.
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