Posted By: TonyinVA
7/8 Calif Bighorn Sheep and 7/8 Mountain Dall Sheep - 09/22/14 11:15 PM
Okay, to start of I want to state that I am going to share some information and photos PURELY for the purpose of sharing data....and then I would be interested to hear some comments particularly from some of the folks who breed sheep.
I ran across a place in PA called Warrior Mark (http://warriorsmark.com/wm/bighornsheep)that is claiming to have 7/8 California Bighorn Sheep and 7/8 Mountain Dall Sheep. They have this to say about how they acquired the sheep:
"Yes, it's true. These sheep were originally purchased in 1968 from a wealthy Pittsburgh philanthropist who has been experimenting with Big Horn and Dall varieties. He wanted to breed animals that could survive and remain healthy in the wilds of the Pennsylvania mountains. By 1968 he had succeeded, but has lost interest in continuing the project any further. Our location is in west-central Pennsylvania. The elevation averages around 1700 ft. above sea level. Our winters can get as cold as 20 below zero and our summers can get up to 100+ degrees. These factors could easily be handled by pure bred Bighorn and Dall sheep, however, the dampness of our climate and low elevation in this eastern area causes pneumonia in pure breed mountain sheep. Such animals cannot live here. Our sheep are not pure blooded but specially bred to survive in this environment. They are approximately 7/8 pure Bighorn and Mountain Dall sheep. These sheep are rare hybrids that thrive and reproduce in our climate. Do not confuse our Mountain Dall Sheep with the common Texas Dall sheep, our sheep are direct descendants of the Dall sheep in Alaska and Western Canada. Our Bighorn sheep are descended from the Bighorns of the western rocky mountains.
Come to our preserve to enjoy a sheep hunt in the beautiful Allegheny mountains. Our property covers 2700 acres of rolling, open and forested terrain which include different areas for hunting big game and upland birds. You will be accompanied on your hunt by an experienced guide but you will select your own trophies. You can choose to hunt with rifle, handgun, archery or black powder. You can also choose the style of hunt you want, spot and stalk or hunting from ground blinds or elevated stands. When you book a hunt with us your party will be the only hunters afield as we only take one group at a time.
All hunts are professionally guided by one of our experienced staff who work hard to insure you have a superb hunting experience."
Here are some pictures they sent me. Not the best, but it's all I have to share. I am skeptical that they are 7/8 anything...look like they are a bighorn cross but not sure about the Dall sheep part.
I ran across a place in PA called Warrior Mark (http://warriorsmark.com/wm/bighornsheep)that is claiming to have 7/8 California Bighorn Sheep and 7/8 Mountain Dall Sheep. They have this to say about how they acquired the sheep:
"Yes, it's true. These sheep were originally purchased in 1968 from a wealthy Pittsburgh philanthropist who has been experimenting with Big Horn and Dall varieties. He wanted to breed animals that could survive and remain healthy in the wilds of the Pennsylvania mountains. By 1968 he had succeeded, but has lost interest in continuing the project any further. Our location is in west-central Pennsylvania. The elevation averages around 1700 ft. above sea level. Our winters can get as cold as 20 below zero and our summers can get up to 100+ degrees. These factors could easily be handled by pure bred Bighorn and Dall sheep, however, the dampness of our climate and low elevation in this eastern area causes pneumonia in pure breed mountain sheep. Such animals cannot live here. Our sheep are not pure blooded but specially bred to survive in this environment. They are approximately 7/8 pure Bighorn and Mountain Dall sheep. These sheep are rare hybrids that thrive and reproduce in our climate. Do not confuse our Mountain Dall Sheep with the common Texas Dall sheep, our sheep are direct descendants of the Dall sheep in Alaska and Western Canada. Our Bighorn sheep are descended from the Bighorns of the western rocky mountains.
Come to our preserve to enjoy a sheep hunt in the beautiful Allegheny mountains. Our property covers 2700 acres of rolling, open and forested terrain which include different areas for hunting big game and upland birds. You will be accompanied on your hunt by an experienced guide but you will select your own trophies. You can choose to hunt with rifle, handgun, archery or black powder. You can also choose the style of hunt you want, spot and stalk or hunting from ground blinds or elevated stands. When you book a hunt with us your party will be the only hunters afield as we only take one group at a time.
All hunts are professionally guided by one of our experienced staff who work hard to insure you have a superb hunting experience."
Here are some pictures they sent me. Not the best, but it's all I have to share. I am skeptical that they are 7/8 anything...look like they are a bighorn cross but not sure about the Dall sheep part.