Evaluation of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Habitat In New Mexico
Dunn WC. 1993. Evaluation of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Habitat In New Mexico. Federal Aid and Wildlife Restoration Project W-127-R-9 Job 9. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Albuquerque, NM
This is an evaluation of potential habitat to support released populations of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in New Mexico. Five alpine and eight low elevation study areas were measured for suitable habitat, escape habitat, escape terrain contiguity, and winter range or water avalability. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and field surveys were utilized. The alpine areas of study were at Pecos, Wheeler Peak, Culebra, and Latir. The low elevation study areas were at San Francisco River, Rio Grande Gorge, White Rock Canyon, El Malpais, the Manzano, Los Pinos, and Sandia Mountains, and Turkey Creek. Each study site is described in regards to suitability and human impact and mapped for potential range.