Seasonal Dispersion of Overlapping Mountain Sheep Ewe Groups

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Abstract
In a 4-year study of the dispersion of marked mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis), a low-elevation range in southwestern Alberta [Canada] was found to be used by 3 distinct groups of ewes. One group used the area primarily as winter range. About 20-30% of ewes from another group used the area as a late winter range, and the remainder of this group arrived for a 2-5 week visit each spring, possibly to take advantage of early vegetation growth and salt licks. A 3rd, smaller group of ewes was found within the range mostly in winter. The 3 groups used different parts of the range with different intensities. No intergroup strife was noticed, but ewes tended to remain within their own group. The known summer ranges of the 3 groups did not overlap. I suggest that ewes remain within the maternal herd, are able to recognize herdmates, and may learn most of their traditional migration routes and seasonal range locations during their 1st year of life. This study reveals that the assumption of single-herd use of sheep ranges may not always be justified.

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