About The Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn

Mission Statement:
Further the knowledge of desert bighorn sheep.
Support the various government agencies directly responsible for the management of desert bighorn sheep.
Become more aware of problems involved with desert bighorn sheep and advancing civilization.
Educate - inform the public of the desert bighorn, of its habits, its welfare and to utilize our united strength for their well-being.
Encourage the utilization of the desert bighorn in every phase not detrimental to its welfare.

Monthly Meetings:
When: Monthly meetings held on the first Wednesday of each month, Jan. through Sep. and Dec. at 6:30 PM.
Where: At the Blue Ox at 5825 West Sahara, one block east of Jones in the Burlington Shopping Center.

The president leads the meetings but everyone is encouraged to participate.
What we eat and drink will be deducted from the $100 room rental charge.

- We discuss upcoming projects such as funding, materials, and transportation.
- We also talk about existing projects and how they are holding up.
- We schedule approximately six projects each year involving the welfare of the desert bighorn sheep.
- We do sheep trapping and transplanting to relieve stress on their habitat and expand their areas.
- We have an annual family picnic and an annual banquet.
- We have various fund raising projects throughout the year.
- Any pertinent legislation is also mentioned.

Nevada Bighorn History

Estimates of bighorn sheep on the continent early in the nineteenth century conclude that 350,000 to 500,000 native sheep occupied our western states. The westward spread of civilization, uncontrolled hunting, loss of habitat, and lack of wildlife management programs led to a devastating decline in population. Bighorn sheep now number less than 30,000 in North America.

Nevada is home to three subspecies of native bighorn sheep found in North America. Nevada Division of Wildlife surveys indicate that there now over 7,000 bighorn sheep within the state’s borders.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn, numbering some 210 sheep, exist primarily in the Humboldt and Badlands Ranges located in Northeastern Nevada. These sheep are the result of reintroduction programs to establish sheep in historical areas where populations were extirpated due to the adverse impact of man’s intrusions.

The California Bighorn Sheep of generally the northwestern mountain ranges of Nevada now number more than 1,500 sheep. The California Bighorn have thrived due to Nevada’s water projects established by the Nevada Bighorn Unlimited organization.

The Nelson Desert Bighorn Sheep number over 5,300 animals. They occupy the Mojave Desert and Great basin Desert regions of central and southern Nevada. These sheep inhabit some of the harshest desert environments of the nation. The Desert Bighorn have managed to survive the adverse impacts of indiscriminate hunting, loss of habitat and disease introduced by domestic livestock.

Sportsmen and conservationists, in the early 1960’s, created the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn as an established conservation organization. Since that time the Fraternity has assisted the Nevada Division of Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service with programs to restore habitat and establish water development projects for the Desert Bighorn Sheep.

The Fraternity has donated, on the more than 100 water development projects completed, an estimated $1.5 million in labor, equipment and funds. All the proceeds that the Fraternity raises go directly towards sheep projects, as we have no salaried staff.

Is your interest in our organization and the welfare of the desert bighorn creating a desire to further your knowledge? Then give yourself a few minutes to view and enjoy the Fraternity’s web site.

Experience the activities associated with the construction of water development projects. View our photo images of the desert bighorn sheep, from the majestic rams with massive horns to the ever-cautious ewes and the inquisitive innocence of the new born lambs.

Keep us in mind and invite a friend or two to look us over and share a memory. Remember, your knowledge helps the Fraternity “Put more sheep on the mountain”. Your involvement makes that happen.

Bill Vasconi
Former President, Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn

2005 Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award

Nevada Wildlife Federation
-- Conservation Award

National Wildlife Federation
-- President's Award

BLM Conservationist and Management Award

U.S. Fish and Wildlife
-- Outstanding Contribution Award

Volunteer Action Award
-- Northern Nevada

President's Volunteer Action Award

Take Pride in America Award

Wildlife Society -- Nevada Chapter
Conservationist of the Year Award

Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Award

NDOW Desert Bighorns
Programs Award

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
-- Nevada Chapter
Royal Habitat Partner Award

Desert national Wildlife Refuge Complex
Support / Volunteer Award

Membership Information