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View bighorn sheep at Canyon Lake with Game and Fish and the Dolly Steamboat
By Arizona Game and Fish Department
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Dolly Steamboat and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, is hosting a public workshop to see and learn about desert bighorn sheep, one of Arizona’s most fascinating large mammals.
This special event includes two parts. The first is an evening classroom session from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, June 28, at the Game and Fish Mesa office located at 7200 E. University Drive. Participants will learn about bighorn sheep, their natural history, management and historical significance from biologist Bruce Sitko, a long-time student of bighorns.
The second part is a morning aboard the Dolly Steamboat (Saturday, June 29), where the group will tour Canyon Lake, accompanied by department biologists and members of the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society. The boat tour begins at 7 a.m. and lasts about three hours, giving participants an opportunity to view wild bighorn sheep in their native environment.
“June and July are the times of year when bighorns stay pretty close to water,” said John Dickson, wildlife manager in the Canyon Lake district. “The mating season is underway and the hotter it is, the better the opportunity to see the sheep along the water’s edge.”
These workshops are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Space on the boat tour is limited to 139 people, the number of passengers the Dolly can hold. The cost for the boat tour is $35 per person. To register, call the Dolly Steamboat at (480) 827-9144. Space for the free Friday evening classroom session is limited to 70 people due to facility restrictions. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the classroom session to make the viewing tour more meaningful. To reserve your space for the classroom session, please call Randy Babb at the Game and Fish Mesa office at (480) 324-3546.
“This is a great opportunity for people to learn about bighorn sheep, the department, and the conservation efforts of many different agencies in regards to bighorn sheep,” said Dickson.
Participants on the boat tour are encouraged to bring a camera, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and binoculars. Snacks and drinks will be provided compliments of the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society.
“It will be hot on the lake,” Dickson advised, “but that’s when bighorn come down for a drink. Much of the boat is air-conditioned, but the outside temperatures will still be plenty warm, so dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather.”
Additional questions should be directed to Randy Babb at (480) 324-3546 or e-mail at rbabb@azgfd.gov .
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