Senate OKs Plan for Limited Hunting of Bighorn Sheep for 1st Time in 103 Years

Despite protests from animal lovers, the Senate on Friday passed a bill to allow hunting of bighorn sheep in California for the first time in more than 100 years.

The bill, by Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy (R-Monrovia) authorizes limited hunting of small numbers of the long-endangered sheep on a trial basis for five years at two locations in San Bernardino County.

A permit to kill one could cost up to $500 if the measure becomes law.

The vote on the bill was 21 to 13, the bare majority needed for Senate passage. It was returned to the Assembly for concurrence in Senate amendments.

Nearly Exterminated

Hunting of the bighorns, which were almost exterminated in the 19th Century, was forbidden under an 1883 law.

A spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Game, which supported Mountjoy’s bill, said hunting of the sheep has been illegal for 103 years since the law was adopted.

Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside), who carried Mountjoy’s bill in the Senate, said it affects only Nelson bighorn sheep, one of three species of bighorns found in California. Presley said the sheep’s numbers have reached the point where hunting is feasible.

The Department of Fish and Game estimates the population of the Nelson species at about 3,000 animals. Other bighorn species are Peninsular, believed to number about 900, and California bighorns, of which about 300 are believed to exist.

The Nelson bighorns are found in southeast California in Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties.

Details Spelled Out

Mountjoy’s bill would allow hunting of 15% of the adult rams in flocks at the two locations in San Bernardino County.

The bill was fought by Defenders of Wildlife, the Fund for Animals, and other animal protection groups.

“Just to put a sheep head on the wall to show someone’s prowess in killing is demeaning to man and woman,” said Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles), who opposed the bill.

Sen. Walter Stiern (D-Bakersfield), who also voted against the measure, complained that in the past, bighorn sheep lovers had tried to get permission to kill wild burros in his district, because the burros contaminated the sheep’s water holes.