February 2, 2024 - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), in partnership with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep (SCBS), is seeking volunteers for the Annual Bighorn Sheep Survey in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

This ground survey will include volunteer groups hiking to a specific observation site early in the morning. The volunteers will identify and document how many sheep they see by following a simple survey data sheet form provided to each person. Volunteer groups will be led by a representative from CDFW, USFS or SCBS.

Participants must be at least 16 years old and capable of hiking one to five miles in rugged terrain. Most observation sites will require hiking off-trail over boulders, crossing streams, climbing up steep slopes and possibly trekking through thick chaparral. Binoculars or a spotting scope will be needed.

The survey will occur on Sunday, March 3, 2024, with a mandatory in-person orientation meeting on Saturday evening, March 2, 2024, at the Angeles National Forest Headquarters in Arcadia.

To sign up as a volunteer for this event, please see the Bighorn Sheep Survey Form(opens in new tab).

CDFW will be accepting a total of 200 volunteers. Only one person per form entry. If you have any questions, please email bighornsheepsurvey@wildlife.ca.gov or call (858) 239-9505.
Source: CDFW