10-31-2007, 08:10 PM
PROVO - A chance to see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the foothills east of Provo awaits Nov. 17 at a free bighorn sheep viewing event.
A Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ram, the subspecies of wild sheep that people will see at the viewing event in Provo.
The Division of Wildlife Resources will host the free event at Rock Canyon Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rock Canyon Park is at 2620 N. and 1200 E. (Iroquois Dr.) just northeast of the Provo LDS Temple.
Biologists will provide spotting scopes and binoculars you can use to see the sheep. They'll also be available to answer any questions you have.
If you have your own binoculars or spotting scopes, please bring them, and make sure you dress warmly.
There is no limit to the number of people who can view the sheep. Reservations are not required.
Directions to Rock Canyon Park
From I-15 take either the University Parkway or Provo Center Street exits. Drive east to 900 E. Turn north on 900 E. to Temple View Dr. (east of the Missionary Training Center at about 1900 N.).
Once you're on Temple View Dr., drive east past the LDS Temple (the road will curve to the north). At the stop sign, continue north for about 200 yards (the name of the road will change to Iroquois Dr.).
Rock Canyon Park is on the east side of Iroquois Dr. at 2620 N.
Wild sheep are making a comeback
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are native to Utah. They climbed the hills of Utah County until about 1930, when sheep in the northern portion of Utah were thought to be extinct.
Since January 2000, many bighorn sheep have been reintroduced to the mountains overlooking Utah County's larger cities, stretching from American Fork Canyon to Nebo Mountain.
The Utah Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, the Division of Wildlife Resources, sportsman and conservation groups, and private citizens have joined together to bring bighorn sheep back to this part of the state.
Three subspecies
Utah is home to three subspecies of bighorn sheep:
Desert bighorns live in several locations in southern Utah.
California bighorn sheep have been trans-located to Antelope Island State Park and the Newfoundland Mountain range in northwestern Utah.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are found at several Utah locations, including Utah County, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the North Slope of the Uinta Mountains, Desolation Canyon and Dinosaur National Monument.
The Utah County bighorn sheep population is thriving. It now numbers more than 100 animals.
For more information about the Nov. 17 viewing event, call the DWR's Central Region office at (801) 491-5678.
A Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ram, the subspecies of wild sheep that people will see at the viewing event in Provo.
The Division of Wildlife Resources will host the free event at Rock Canyon Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rock Canyon Park is at 2620 N. and 1200 E. (Iroquois Dr.) just northeast of the Provo LDS Temple.
Biologists will provide spotting scopes and binoculars you can use to see the sheep. They'll also be available to answer any questions you have.
If you have your own binoculars or spotting scopes, please bring them, and make sure you dress warmly.
There is no limit to the number of people who can view the sheep. Reservations are not required.
Directions to Rock Canyon Park
From I-15 take either the University Parkway or Provo Center Street exits. Drive east to 900 E. Turn north on 900 E. to Temple View Dr. (east of the Missionary Training Center at about 1900 N.).
Once you're on Temple View Dr., drive east past the LDS Temple (the road will curve to the north). At the stop sign, continue north for about 200 yards (the name of the road will change to Iroquois Dr.).
Rock Canyon Park is on the east side of Iroquois Dr. at 2620 N.
Wild sheep are making a comeback
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are native to Utah. They climbed the hills of Utah County until about 1930, when sheep in the northern portion of Utah were thought to be extinct.
Since January 2000, many bighorn sheep have been reintroduced to the mountains overlooking Utah County's larger cities, stretching from American Fork Canyon to Nebo Mountain.
The Utah Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, the Division of Wildlife Resources, sportsman and conservation groups, and private citizens have joined together to bring bighorn sheep back to this part of the state.
Three subspecies
Utah is home to three subspecies of bighorn sheep:
Desert bighorns live in several locations in southern Utah.
California bighorn sheep have been trans-located to Antelope Island State Park and the Newfoundland Mountain range in northwestern Utah.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are found at several Utah locations, including Utah County, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the North Slope of the Uinta Mountains, Desolation Canyon and Dinosaur National Monument.
The Utah County bighorn sheep population is thriving. It now numbers more than 100 animals.
For more information about the Nov. 17 viewing event, call the DWR's Central Region office at (801) 491-5678.