On Sunday, October 30, 2011, more than two years of hard work and dedication will come to fruition when approximately 10 to 15 Desert Bighorn Sheep will be re-introduced into their native habitat of Clark Mountain in the Virginia Range east of Reno by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and volunteers.
“This re-introduction of Desert Bighorn Sheep is the result of the tremendous efforts of not only the Nevada Department of Wildlife and Lance Gilman of the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, but the volunteer efforts of the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, The Wild Sheep Foundation and numerous other volunteer groups,” said Steve Field, President of Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (NBU).
With the assistance of NBU, over 60 mountain ranges in Nevada have received new populations of Desert, Rocky Mountain, or California Bighorns. Over half of the total bighorn sheep tags available statewide are due to reintroduced populations. NBU has also been proactive in reintroduction of antelope throughout northern Nevada as well as elk into select mountain ranges.
“The re-introduction of Desert Bighorn Sheep into the Virginia Range and our regions is an exciting prospect and we have been pleased to play a part in a worthwhile state project to protect our community wildlife,” stated Lance Gilman, principal and exclusive broker for the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.
The re-introduction of the Desert Bighorn Sheep has been in the planning stages for more than two years with the cooperation of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, the Wild Sheep Foundation and the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited. On October 1st and 2nd of this year, volunteers led by NBU and the Wild Sheep foundation constructed two (2) Water Guzzlers on Clark Mountain in preparation for this re-introduction. These Water Guzzlers collect and store natural precipitation and meter out the precious water throughout the year.
WHEN: Sunday, October 30, 2011
Volunteers will begin arriving at 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Wild Horse Canyon Drive and Megabyte Drive, Take I-80 East to Exit 28 (Patrick Exit), and then turn right on Waltham Way. Pass over the Rail Road Tracks to make an immediate right on Wild Horse Canyon Drive.
