CREEDE — One thousand ewes, with lambs by their sides, will be spending time on the Rio Grande National Forest south and west of Creede this summer grazing under a new pasture rotation.

“We are working to solve a natural resource conflict between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep on Snow Mesa,” said Divide District Ranger Martha Williamson. “Grazing domestic sheep in these areas south of Creede maintains sheep grazing on the Forest, helps to more effectively separate bighorn and domestic sheep, and keeps the permittees in business.”

This grazing rotation is being used for domestic sheep that are currently permitted to graze on the Snow Mesa Allotment. Research has indicated that domestic sheep may spread disease to bighorn sheep. There are concerns regarding potential disease transmission between domestic and bighorn sheep on Snow Mesa Allotment due to the close proximity of both species.

Domestic sheep, herders, horses, and livestock guard dogs will be especially visible to the public while they are moved along Highway 149 and graze along the Deep Creek and Middle Creek roads.

The sheep will be trucked to South River Area on June 15th and then trailed (moved by herders and dogs) around three weeks later to pasture at Sixmile Flats for a short time. They will then be trailed along Deep Creek Road and Highway 149 to north Shallow Creek and Crystal Lakes area and remain in this area through most of August. Later in the summer, the sheep will be trailed back down Highway 149 and Deep Creek Road to East Bench area for a while, and then trailed down to Coller State Wildlife Area in September for a few days on their way back home on the Valley floor.

For more information, contact Divide District Ranger Martha Williamson at 719-657-3321.