Bighorn Sheep Conservation in Nebraska - This past February, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) successfully helicopter-captured, tested, collared, and released 36 bighorn sheep. The goal: to establish a self-sustaining, free-ranging population in suitable Nebraska habitat. Historically, bighorn sheep were native to Nebraska but disappeared by the early 1900s. Restoration began in 1981 by translocating wild sheep from other states. Although the population once reached 400, it’s now estimated at around 215—primarily due to disease transmitted from domestic sheep. This effort is a collaboration between Nebraska Game and Parks, the Bergara Foundation, the Gilchrist Foundation, and the Wild Sheep Foundation. Conservation doesn’t just help wildlife—it also supports sustainable hunting. In fact, the 2025 Nebraska bighorn sheep tag sold at auction for a record $420,000, with proceeds supporting ongoing conservation. Sources and Photo Credit: @bergarahunter #BighornSheep #NebraskaWildlife #HunttoConserve #WildSheepFoundation #SheepShow #WildlifeConservation