Real Conservation, No Gimmicks: The Gritty Work of Saving Desert Bighorn Sheep

Conservation often feels like an abstract concept. It’s often something that happens behind the scenes through funding, bureaucracy, and awareness campaigns. With KUIU Conservation Direct, it’s anything but abstract. This is hands-on work with immediate and tangible results.

We captured and translocated the 200th bighorn sheep for Conservation Direct and went on to hit number 224.

When I say “we,” I mean it. I was there alongside the dedicated team from KUIU, Arizona Game and Fish, and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society. I felt the weight of the work in a literal sense. We moved these incredible animals from one range to another to ensure their survival and the long-term health of their population.

KUIU Conservation Direct is unique in the world of wildlife conservation. Every dollar goes directly to the effort. There are no extravagant fundraising events, no high-priced galas, and no wasted resources on self-congratulatory marketing campaigns. Instead, there are helicopters in the sky and boots on the ground.

This project is built on the kind of hard labor that actually makes a difference. In an era where conservation dollars too often get funneled into optics rather than action, this project is proof that meaningful change happens when people commit to doing the work.

This is conservation, as it should be. It’s focused, direct, and relentless in its mission.

KUIU Conservation Direct (KCD) 8

In late October 2024, KUIU Conservation Direct notched a major win for North America’s bighorn sheep populations. Over a fast-paced 24-hour period, a team of conservationists, biologists, and volunteers successfully captured 28 desert bighorn sheep from Arizona’s Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and relocated them to the Harcuvar Mountains.

The success of the operation was made possible through collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society. These partnerships are crucial for the long-term success of translocation efforts. They help bolster populations in areas where bighorns have been lost due to habitat degradation, disease, and other pressures.

The operation marked the 10th successful sheep translocation under KUIU Conservation Direct and brings the program’s total to 224 bighorns moved across five states.

Conservation Work Paid for Directly by Hunters

Like all Conservation Direct projects, this latest relocation was entirely funded by contributions from KUIU and its dedicated customers. A key component of this particular effort was the addition of 10 GPS collars to monitor the relocated sheep in their new habitat.

Demonstrating strong support for the initiative, KUIU’s customers snapped up all 10 collars in under 4 hours. To date, Conservation Direct supporters have purchased 128 collars, ensuring researchers have the data needed to track and manage relocated herds effectively.

224 Sheep and Counting

Since its inception, KUIU Conservation Direct has helped relocate 224 bighorn sheep across five states. This includes Desert, Rocky Mountain, and California bighorns. The initiative is part of a growing movement in the hunting and outdoor community to take a hands-on approach to conservation and ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to experience wild sheep in their natural habitat.

For those looking to get involved, KUIU Conservation Direct offers opportunities for customers to directly support these efforts. This includes purchasing tracking collars and donating toward future translocations.

Putting Desert Sheep Back Where They Belong: KUIU Conservation Direct

Conservation Direct has concluded its sixth project, reintroducing desert bighorn sheep to the Montana Mountains of Northern Nevada. Read more…