Department of Environment
Camping & RVs
Wilderness Travel & Land Use
- Into the Yukon Wilderness
- Leave No Trace
- Wilderness Tourism Operators
- Park Permits
- Dempster Hwy Development Permit
Conservation Area Planning
Territorial Parks
Hunting in Yukon
Fishing in Yukon
Trapping in Yukon
Hunter & Trapper Education & Resources
Wildlife Viewing
- Wildlife Viewing Program
- Wildlife Viewing Strategy
- Wildlife Viewing Events
- Viewing Tips & Etiquette
- Best Viewing Sites
- Through the Seasons
- Bird Watching
- Swan Haven
- Celebration of Swans
Yukon Species
Animal Management
Animal Health and Protection
Wilderness Management
Fish & Wildlife Planning
Climate Change
- Climate Change and Yukon
- Climate Change Action Plan
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Reducing GHG Emissions
- Climate Change & Youth
- Yukon Government Initiatives
Air & Water
Waste & Chemicals
Clean Northern Living
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Spill Reporting
- Help Stop Invasive Species
- Turn in Poachers & Polluters (TIPP)
- Warming Up Your Vehicle
- ATV Use in Yukon
- Wood Burning Tips
Animal Encounters
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Orphaned or Injured Wildlife
- Homeowners & Urban Wildlife
- Bear Safety
- Cougar Safety
Environment Yukon eServices
Get Involved
- Canada's Parks Day
- Volunteer Opportunities in Yukon Parks
- How You Can Help Wildlife Studies
- Environmental Awareness Fund
- Joining Boards, Councils & Committees
Public Reviews
- Pesticide Application Permit
- Spay-Neuter Program Evaluation
- Permitting System
- Developing Animal Health Act Regulations
Youth Programs
Educator Resources
- EnviroWild Resources for Educators
- Resource Guides
- Backyard Biodiversity
- BIGFOOT/littlefoot Game
- Environment Education Links
About the Department
Publications
Maps & GIS Data
Stone Sheep
Ovis dalli stonei
Order | Artiodactyla |
Family | Bovidae |
Joseph Hall
Also known as: Thinhorn Sheep, Stone's Sheep
Fast Facts |
||
Height | 1.5 m | |
Weight | 46-110 kg | |
Lifespan | 14 years | |
Habitat | |
|
Predators | Wolves, bears, Wolverine, Golden Eagles, humans | |
Yukon | S5 (Secure) | |
Global | G5 (Secure) | |
Yukon population estimate: 2500 |
Description
- Dark grey or brown to charcoal colour fur.
- Male Stone's Sheep have thick horns that grow larger and spiral with age.
- Female horns remain small and slender.
Behaviour
Stone's Sheep spend the summer grazing in alpine meadows atop the peaks. In the fall the sheep move to their winter range a few kilometers away where the wind keeps the snow shallow and the sun warms south-facing slopes. They will use the same migration routes for generations and return to the same protective cliffs to give birth to their lambs every year.
Diet
Grasses, twigs, leaves, buds, Pasture Sage
Sights and sounds
![]() |
|
Scat Round pellet (0.8 cm) |
Signs Mineral lick
|
![]() |
Alternative content - radio interview |
Tracks 14.8 x 6 cm
|
Sound Sheep braying |
Mammals and People
- Thinhorn Sheep have long been prized for their delicious meat. First Nations would traditionally hunt sheep with bow and arrows or set snares along frequented travel routes. Sheep fleece was used to make blankets, jackets, and winter pants and horns used for ladles and dishes.
- During the Gold Rush years sheep populations were nearly wiped out from the demand for meat to feed the new settlements. Later, road crews building the highways also greatly decreased sheep numbers.
- Today sheep numbers have recovered through protection and management considerations, though not to their original numbers.
Viewing Opportunities
- Stone’s Sheep are only found in the absolute southern reach of Yukon and into northern British Columbia.
- Highway travellers can set up spotting scopes trained to south-facing slopes or alpine meadows for sneak a peak at sheep. Keep an eye out for small patches of snow on the mountainside that suddenly start to move.
- Venturing into the alpine for a day hike will give you the greatest chance at seeing sheep. Bring your binoculars to have a look as it is best to not get too close.