I just received the below via e-mail and thought I'd post here for anyone that would like to participate...

This is a reminder and invitation to participate in the San Gabriel Mountains Bighorn Sheep Survey. We are reviving an previously used technique to combine the aerial survey and ground survey to develop a population estimate. In the past we've had up to 120 volunteers looking for sheep. Since we are starting over, this year's event will be limited to 75 people.

The survey has three components:

Mandatory orientation: This will be held April 1, in the evening at the Lytle Creek Ranger Station. The orientation is used to explain what we are going to do, assign people to survey routes, review the data sheets, and help everyone learn to age and sex bighorn sheep. The orientation will be immediately after a free BBQ hosted by the CA chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and cooked by the John Nelson of the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep. The BBQ will start at 5:00 pm.

SurveyReport: The ground survey will be April 2, 8:00 to 2:00. People will leave from Lytle Creek and be sent to survey sites, where they will look for sheep. All observations will be recorded on standardized data sheets and maps. All observations must be turned in to designated group leaders. The survey occurs in rugged terrain, so bring appropriate clothing and gear, including binoculars and spotting scopes, and lunches. The survey is not recommended to children less than 12 years old.

State and federal biologists will conduct helicopter surveys in the East Fk. San Gabriel River and S. G. Wilderness on Apr 1, and all other winter ranges on April 2, while the ground surveyors are present. In addition, we have had reports of sheep at Devil's Punchbowl and Little Rock Reservoir, so those areas will be surveyed April 3. Ground surveys are not held the first day because access is so limited. Depending on what we see April 3, we may add those areas in the future.

Report: Once all the data have been evaluated a report will be sent to everyone describing the survey and results. These survey results are critical because they will be added to a population model that is being developed for the population. An accurate population estimate is necessary to combine with the mortalilty estimates to determine the trajectory of the population. This may affect how we implement the restoration strategy.

All participants must sign up by calling the Lytle Creek Ranger Station (please wait to call until next week @ 909/382-2850).

If you are interested in being a group leader, please call John Hybarger at 626/962-6285.

Feel free to email or call me (916/988-8043) if you have any questions. Hope to see you on April 1 (by the way this isn't a joke, ha!).

QUICK UPDATE:

There are 35 animals currently radio-collared in the San Gabriel's and more will be collared in the future. The movements of those animals and mortalities are being monitored by DFG. Over the past two years, four sheep died from unknown causes and four were likely killed by predators (lions and bears).