DALL SHEEP 



MOUNTAIN GOAT 



these sheep. They are found only 

 in rugged terrain — high in the 

 mountain ranges from Kenai Pen- 

 insula to within a few miles of the 

 Arctic coast. A little less than half 

 of the estimated population is 

 found in the remote Brooks Range 

 north of the Arctic Circle. This 

 species declined greatly in numbers 

 between 1940 and 1945 but, with the 

 help of complete protection in some 

 areas, it has been increasing re- 

 cently. A new three-quarter-curl 

 (of the horns) regulation limits the 

 hunting kill to older rams. 



Young Dall sheep are born in 

 May or June. A single lamb is the 

 rule; twins are rare. Lambs de- 

 velop strength rapidly, and in less 

 than a month are able to follow 

 their parents high up in the crags. 



These sheep feed almost entirely 

 on alpine grasses, supplementing 

 their diet with minerals from licks. 

 Their enemies are few. Aside from 

 man, the wolf and the coyote are 

 probably the most important preda- 

 tors. Even these are not as harm- 

 ful as severe winters. Eagles may 



kill newly born lambs on rare oc- 

 casions, but their importance as 

 predators has been exaggerated. 



Rams that reach maturity weigh 

 from 175 to 200 pounds, and ewes 

 weigh less than 150. Both sexes 

 have comparatively short life 

 spans: females seldom live beyond 

 12 years, while males are "ancient" 

 at 14 years. It is these ancient 

 rams that furnish prize trophy 

 heads. 



Mountain goat — The mountain 

 goat lives among the cliffs and 

 crags of the mighty coast range be- 

 tween Portland Canal and the 

 Kenai Peninsula, inland along the 

 Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains, 

 and into the Copper River Valley. 

 They are not found on the islands 

 of southeastern Alaska, with the ex- 

 ception of Baranof Island, where 

 they have been successfully stocked. 



Both sexes of these hardy, long- 

 haired and sure-footed white ani- 

 mals have short, black horns. A 

 grown billy weighs from 200 to 300 

 pounds, a nanny somewhat less. 

 Grasses, ferns, lichens make up the 



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