https://www.denverpost.com/201...illegal-sheep-hunts/



A Colorado hunting camp owner illegally brought exotic sheep to ranch for clients to hunt

Owner convicted of importing exotic protected sheep to Colorado for hunting customers
By KIRK MITCHELL | kmitchell@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
July 12, 2019 at 11:45 am



A 34-year-old Dinosaur ranch owner illegally imported several exotic sheep species for his clients to hunt, including Mouflon sheep hybrids, Texas Dall sheep and Painted Desert sheep, which are all prohibited in Colorado, state wildlife officials said.



Michael Gates, a Utah resident who owns DJ Rams, is serving a one-year deferred judgment sentence for possession of non-native sheep, said a Friday news release by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Gates’ prosecution followed a months-long CPW investigation of a private hunting ranch where several prohibited exotic sheep species were found on the property.

Gates also was assessed five suspension points against his hunting and fishing privileges. He must comply with all CPW and Colorado Department of Agriculture inspections and requirements or risk additional fines and the potential loss of his operation, the news release said.

“Based on our investigation, Mr. Gates knew these sheep were prohibited but that did not stop him,” Wildlife Officer Nate Martinez said. “He decided to risk the health of our native wildlife and local domestic sheep simply for profit.”

Wildlife officials said the prohibition is needed to protect native wildlife from hybridization with non-native species, avert the potential spread of disease to native sheep populations and prevent severe damage to habitat.



“If they had escaped, these prohibited sheep could all survive in Colorado’s harsh climate,” said Martinez. “The disease issue is a major concern, as well as the potential impacts to native habitat and all of the native species that depend on it.”

Martinez said the biggest threat would be to the native population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep within nearby Dinosaur National Monument and to domestic sheep within neighboring sheep-grazing allotments.

When Parks and Wildlife does it, at great expense to the taxpayer, it is a good thing.

However, if a private individual does it, it is a dangerous thing for the environment.

It is basically about control, period.

BH63

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
When Parks and Wildlife does it, at great expense to the taxpayer, it is a good thing.

However, if a private individual does it, it is a dangerous thing for the environment.

It is basically about control, period.

BH63[/QUOTE
Now you know the State knows whats best for us.

Well in this situation the CP&W do know best.
I for one don't want a mess of disease carrying exotics loose in the state polluting native Sheep and Goat herds with some imported disease.
Colorado doesn't allow exotics and I stand behind that.
Some dumbass rancher who brings them in so Dudes can pay him a few bucks should have been fined out of business.
You guys can have your opinion but I live here.
This isn't about control as much as it is sound wildlife management practices.

I’d buy that the wildlife authorities were looking out for the health of the ecosystem if they managed all invasive wildlife equally.

In particular, wild horses and burros.

I don’t disagree that poorly controlled exotics are a risk... but so are domestic sheep, and those are already there. I doubt there is a law banning a Colorado rancher from buying sheep in Texas legally and putting them on the same area for grazing.

Can you differentiate the disease risk from a Texas bred Merino from a Texas bred Mouflon?

Anything from out of country would require quarantine and a higher level of infectious evaluation.

What this sounds more like is locals who don’t like game farms.

Feral horses and burros are protected under federal laws. Talk to your senators and representatives about that. They do a lot of damage to wildlife habitat. States usually require a veterinary certificate for bringing in livestock.

I agree that Colorado's native wildlife species don't need competition or diseases from imported sheep. What an ass that hunting camp operator is.
As to the wild horse issue, the BLM is totally ensnared by the wild horse lovers, just as the Forest Service is tangled up by the tree huggers who sue at the drop of hat.

The Colorado boys did the right thing, Such a violation could effect the wild game in that state for years to come...Im not carried away with big brother, but give credit where credit is due..and also I suggest doing your homework before you jump...They hopefully prevented a travesty...

Domestic sheep and goats on grazing allotments , domestic goats, pack goats all pose a significant threat to wild sheep. To worry about a few exotic sheep on private land when there are thousands of domestic sheep grazing on public land is kind of like peeing on a forest fire, it can't do any harm but what real good is it doing?

Never trust the CPW in Colorado...ever!