Hunters kill half of Tendoy Mountains bighorn sheep herd

HELENA (AP) — Hunters in Montana have harvested about half of a bighorn sheep herd in the Tendoy Mountains that has been chronically ill.

The wild sheep in the Tendoys southeast of Dillon have experienced major die-offs because of pneumonia twice in the last 25 years.

Attempts to augment the population by bringing in healthy sheep have been unsuccessful.

The Independent Record reports that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has approved a plan calling for total elimination of the herd to end the illnesses. So far hunters have harvested 18 bighorn sheep since hunting began Sept. 5 for bow hunters and Sept. 15 for the general season.

There are between 30 and 40 animals in the herd.

Once the population is removed, officials plan to restock the area with about 50 healthy animals.