Bighorn sheep
A herd of bighorn sheep makes its home in and around Silver City.
In 2005 the herd numbered 30 animals and in 2006 there were
around 15 animals at any one time living here. Bighorn sheep are
native to South Dakota and according to GF&P there are around 150
in the entire Black Hills.
A herd of bighorn sheep makes its home in and around Silver City.
In 2005 the herd numbered 30 animals and in 2006 there were
around 15 animals at any one time living here. Bighorn sheep are
native to South Dakota and according to GF&P there are around 150
in the entire Black Hills.
Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep has tan or brown fur. It has a white belly, rump and muzzle. It is best known for its
large horns. The rams or males have large, thick curving horns. The ewe's or female's horns are more
slender and less curved. Males weigh between 125-300 pounds, females weigh between 75-200
pounds. The bighorn is a good climber and jumper. They like areas with rocky slopes they can climb to
evade predators.
In the fall, the herd heads to the foothills near Rapid City (fish hatchery on hwy 44). There, the males
have head butting contests to establish dominance. They run at each other at speeds of up to 20 miles
an hour and ram their heads together. Rams usually only fight with rams who have horns that are about
the same size as their horn. Head butting contests can last as long as 20 hours! The dominant ram will
mate with more females than the other rams. When a male is ready to mate, he will go into a herd of
females. The female will chase the male before they mate. Sometimes a male will kick a female to get her
to chase him.
Recent sightings
September 2006 - A lamb (yearling) is found dead on the cliffs on the south side of Silver City. GF&P is
called to retrieve the animal. John Kanta later confirms that the cause of death was pneumonia. This is
not surprising since for two years we have been hearing hacking coughs coming form the herd.
March 2007 - A male (4-6 year old) spend the whole winter around Silver City. By end of March, he has
been coming down to the meadows more often to feed on the new grasses and perhaps anticipating
the arrival of the rest of the herd.
April 2007 - John Kanta (GF&P) indicates that the herd around the fish hatchery is healthy even though
some animals were lost to pneumonia. The Rapid Creek basin herd is estimated at 100 animals
including the herd from Thunderhead Falls and Silver City. He indicated that in the Winter of 2008 some
animals may be moved to the Southern Hills.
April 27, 2007 - Around mid-morning a ewe has tentatively come down the cliffs onto the meadow. The
ram couldn't contain himself and quickly approaches her. After a long winter by himself he seems happy
to see another bighorn. The ewe is nervous, she stays near the cliffs and is easily spooked by the
marmots and flying birds.
May 25, 2007 - Six ewes are now feeding in the meadow. They come down in the early morning and
late afternoon to feed for a couple of hours. At least two appear to be pregnant.
June 2007 - Three newborns tentatively negotiating the
cliffs. Very rarely do they come down with the adults.
The group is now at 17.
September 4, 2007 - Last sighting of the entire herd
in Silver City. A total of thirteen came down on a daily
basis. Only one newborn was present by the end of
the season. It is unclear what happened to the other
two. They probably died from predators. The coughing
among the herd was mostly non existent this season.
September 2007 - One ewe is still hanging around the
area despite a few frosts and obvious signs of fall.
October 25, 2007 - Behold, a lone ram descends into the
pasture. It may be the same one that wintered here last
year. However, he is now bigger and healthier. He has
a 3/4 curl. Sighted again off and on in early November
around the school house.
April 8, 2008 - The lone ram has been seen sporadically thoughout the winter. In the last week he has
been coming down to the meadow more frequently. He is anticipating the arrival of the herd.
April 17, 2008 - Two ewes appear on the meadow along with the ram. (10 days earlier than last year)
They appear nervous, looking around and getting used to their summer habitat. Both ewes appear to
be pregnant.
June 1, 2008 - Six ewes seen walking the north cliff. At least one lamb accompanying them. Could not
determine if there were any other lambs. One of the ewes had a radio collar.
July 9, 2008 - Three rams have frequented Silver City in the last few days. It is uncommon to see rams
around this area in the summer. For the past two months there have been seven ewes around town
mostly up the creek past the second wooden bridge. They are not coming to feed in the meadow as
often as in previous years. The likely reason is that there is abundant grass even in the high cliffs. The
lambs have not been seen for a few weeks. We hope that they are doing well and look forward to
seeing them again soon.
July 10, 2008 - A lamb falls off the cliff and badly injures its left rear leg. The incident occurred just
west of the cave past the first wooden bridge. GF&P was called to the scene after the lamb was seen
struggling to move. The GF&P officer arrived and determined that it was better to leave the lamb there
rather than take it in for rehabilitation. The lamb slowly limped up the cliff where its mother was waiting.
The reason for the fall was that the group was on the move. An hour later 9 ewes, 1 lamb, and 3 rams
were feeding in Silver City by the pond. With the straggling ewe and lamb there would be a total of 15
sheep.
August 4, 2008 - Twelve ewes but no lambs.
August 16, 2008 - Last sighting of the sheep around Silver city
large horns. The rams or males have large, thick curving horns. The ewe's or female's horns are more
slender and less curved. Males weigh between 125-300 pounds, females weigh between 75-200
pounds. The bighorn is a good climber and jumper. They like areas with rocky slopes they can climb to
evade predators.
In the fall, the herd heads to the foothills near Rapid City (fish hatchery on hwy 44). There, the males
have head butting contests to establish dominance. They run at each other at speeds of up to 20 miles
an hour and ram their heads together. Rams usually only fight with rams who have horns that are about
the same size as their horn. Head butting contests can last as long as 20 hours! The dominant ram will
mate with more females than the other rams. When a male is ready to mate, he will go into a herd of
females. The female will chase the male before they mate. Sometimes a male will kick a female to get her
to chase him.
Recent sightings
September 2006 - A lamb (yearling) is found dead on the cliffs on the south side of Silver City. GF&P is
called to retrieve the animal. John Kanta later confirms that the cause of death was pneumonia. This is
not surprising since for two years we have been hearing hacking coughs coming form the herd.
March 2007 - A male (4-6 year old) spend the whole winter around Silver City. By end of March, he has
been coming down to the meadows more often to feed on the new grasses and perhaps anticipating
the arrival of the rest of the herd.
April 2007 - John Kanta (GF&P) indicates that the herd around the fish hatchery is healthy even though
some animals were lost to pneumonia. The Rapid Creek basin herd is estimated at 100 animals
including the herd from Thunderhead Falls and Silver City. He indicated that in the Winter of 2008 some
animals may be moved to the Southern Hills.
April 27, 2007 - Around mid-morning a ewe has tentatively come down the cliffs onto the meadow. The
ram couldn't contain himself and quickly approaches her. After a long winter by himself he seems happy
to see another bighorn. The ewe is nervous, she stays near the cliffs and is easily spooked by the
marmots and flying birds.
May 25, 2007 - Six ewes are now feeding in the meadow. They come down in the early morning and
late afternoon to feed for a couple of hours. At least two appear to be pregnant.
June 2007 - Three newborns tentatively negotiating the
cliffs. Very rarely do they come down with the adults.
The group is now at 17.
September 4, 2007 - Last sighting of the entire herd
in Silver City. A total of thirteen came down on a daily
basis. Only one newborn was present by the end of
the season. It is unclear what happened to the other
two. They probably died from predators. The coughing
among the herd was mostly non existent this season.
September 2007 - One ewe is still hanging around the
area despite a few frosts and obvious signs of fall.
October 25, 2007 - Behold, a lone ram descends into the
pasture. It may be the same one that wintered here last
year. However, he is now bigger and healthier. He has
a 3/4 curl. Sighted again off and on in early November
around the school house.
April 8, 2008 - The lone ram has been seen sporadically thoughout the winter. In the last week he has
been coming down to the meadow more frequently. He is anticipating the arrival of the herd.
April 17, 2008 - Two ewes appear on the meadow along with the ram. (10 days earlier than last year)
They appear nervous, looking around and getting used to their summer habitat. Both ewes appear to
be pregnant.
June 1, 2008 - Six ewes seen walking the north cliff. At least one lamb accompanying them. Could not
determine if there were any other lambs. One of the ewes had a radio collar.
July 9, 2008 - Three rams have frequented Silver City in the last few days. It is uncommon to see rams
around this area in the summer. For the past two months there have been seven ewes around town
mostly up the creek past the second wooden bridge. They are not coming to feed in the meadow as
often as in previous years. The likely reason is that there is abundant grass even in the high cliffs. The
lambs have not been seen for a few weeks. We hope that they are doing well and look forward to
seeing them again soon.
July 10, 2008 - A lamb falls off the cliff and badly injures its left rear leg. The incident occurred just
west of the cave past the first wooden bridge. GF&P was called to the scene after the lamb was seen
struggling to move. The GF&P officer arrived and determined that it was better to leave the lamb there
rather than take it in for rehabilitation. The lamb slowly limped up the cliff where its mother was waiting.
The reason for the fall was that the group was on the move. An hour later 9 ewes, 1 lamb, and 3 rams
were feeding in Silver City by the pond. With the straggling ewe and lamb there would be a total of 15
sheep.
August 4, 2008 - Twelve ewes but no lambs.
August 16, 2008 - Last sighting of the sheep around Silver city
Bighorn sheep in Silver City meadow
Non-dominant ram - January 2008. He has decided to hang around for the winter.
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Rams - July 9, 2008.