NWA Resource Management Annual Report 1986: Survey of Dall Sheep in the Baird Mountains

A survey of Dall sheep in the Eli-Agi headwaters of the Baird Mountains was conducted in July 1986 through the cooperative efforts of Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the National Park Service. The timing of the survey and methodology was based on the results and recommendations provided by similar surveys conducted in 1983 and 1985 and research report on Dall sheep movements and foraging ecology (Ayres 1985). The following report contains the results and management implications of this years survey and recommendations for future monitoring. Summary: 1. A total of 669 sheep were counted in a survey area established in the Baird Mountains. Using a 85% sightability correction factor and a 88% area correction factor the estimated population for the Baird Mountain area is 849. 2. Population estimates indicate age/sex rations and productivity rates are at acceptable levels based on previously used standards. 3. Comparison of data obtained from ground and aerial counts supports the use of 20 pt. correction factor to increase aerially obtained lamb/ewe ratios. 4. An increase in adult rams in count unit 4 suggests the need to redraw that unit's boundary.