Fire, Highways & Bighorns: Wild Sheep Conservation in the Kootenays with Dr. Clayton Lamb

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, Kyle sits down with wildlife scientist Dr. Clayton Lamb to dig into the state of bighorn sheep and wildlife conservation in British Columbia’s Kootenays. From rugged winter ranges to busy valley-bottom highways, Clayton walks us through the complex landscape these sheep are trying to survive in.

We explore how decades of fire exclusion have choked out historic sheep range, and why thinning and slashing are often just the first step toward meaningful habitat restoration. Clayton breaks down how invasive plants, changing forests, and industrial footprints all intersect with predation, highway mortality, and the broader push for human–wildlife coexistence.

Clayton also highlights the critical role of collaborative projects with First Nations, local organizations, and community volunteers. From on-the-ground habitat work to long-term monitoring, he explains how tracking sheep numbers, movement, and survival helps measure what’s working—and what isn’t—as the region adapts its conservation strategies.

Despite the pressures, there’s cautious optimism. The Kootenay bighorn sheep population has been relatively stable, but its future depends on smart management decisions—from LEH policy debates to maintaining migration corridors and keeping sheep off the windshield and on the mountain. If you care about biodiversity, wild sheep, and what real-world conservation looks like in 2025 and beyond, this conversation with Dr. Lamb is a must-listen.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

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