CHAPTER II
MOUNTAIN SHEEP

As a sporting animal the mountain sheep is in a class by
itself; there is no other game animal on this continent
whose hunting and stalking tax the skill, endurance
and perseverance to the same extent; of all trophies
none are more highly prized than the massive horns of a
veteran ram.

There are four species of sheep recognized in this
Province, the Ovis canadensis of the south, and the Ovis
stonet, fannint and dalli of the north. But if it is right
to draw the hair-line distinctions in species which is in
vogue with many zoologists, then it would be quite in
order to subdivide the Ovis canadensis, and have five
species instead of four, as there are marked differences A
between those that are found in the Rocky Mountains .
and those that dwell on the eastern slope of the Cascade
Range.

In most respects the habits of all these sheep are similar.
While there are exceptions—which will be referred to
later on—they all live well above timber line, unless a
storm or the snows of winter drive them to shelter at
lower altitudes; they eat the same food, breed at the
same time, and are seldom found off a main range. All
sheep have a fondness for a particular part of a range,
and will adhere to it in spite of excessive hunting; they
may be driven off for a time, but the chances are that
they will eventually find their way back to the same place.
Except on ranges that become overstocked they seldom
migrate, though once in a while, under unusual circum-
stances, this will happen. Twice, to my knowledge, well-

stocked ranges became practically deserted, and it can
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