New Mexico Project
Influence of livestock grazing on activity budgets and foraging efficiency of desert bighorn sheep
January 2012 - May 2014
Personnel
Participating Agencies
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
- T & E, Inc.

Recent population growth has prompted the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to petition for the removal of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) from the state’s threatened and endangered species list. To more effectively manage desert bighorn sheep as a game species, the NMDGF has identified the need to assess the potential impacts of cattle grazing on forage resources and the subsequent influence on foraging ecology of desert bighorn sheep in New Mexico. PROJECT GOALS 1) Compare seasonal biomass of preferred forage species for desert bighorn sheep in areas with and without livestock grazing. 2) Estimate seasonal activity budgets of desert bighorn sheep in areas with and without livestock grazing. 3) Compare foraging efficiency of desert bighorn sheep in areas with and without livestock grazing. 4)Continue ongoing monitoring efforts that are currently being conducted by independent contractors to document and determine causes of mortalities of adult bighorn sheep fitted with radio collars in the Caballo and San Andres Mountains.
Research Publications | Publication Date |
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Garrison, K.R., J.W. Cain III, E.M. Rominger, and E.J. Goldstein. 2016. Sympatric cattle grazing and desert bighorn sheep foraging. Journal of Wildlife Management 80:197-207. | Download | February 2016 |
Presentations | Presentation Date |
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Garrison, K., J.W. Cain III, E. Goldstein, and R. Rominger. 2014. Influence of sympatric livestock grazing on desert bighorn sheep forage resources and foraging behavior. 47th Joint Annual Meeting of the Arizona/New Mexico Chapters of The Wildlife Society, Pinetop, Arizona, New Mexico, USA. | February 2014 |
Garrison, K.R., J.W. Cain, III, E.M. Rominger, and E.J. Goldstein. 2013. Influence of livestock grazing on forage biomass, activity budgets and foraging efficiency of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in southern New Mexico. Desert Bighorn Council Meeting, April 17-20,2013 Las Cruces, NM | April 2013 |
Garrison, K.R., J.W. Cain III, E.R. Rominger, and E. Goldstein. 2013. Influence of livestock grazing on forage biomass, activity budgets and foraging efficiency of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in southern New Mexico. 46th Joint Annual Meeting of the Arizona/New Mexico Chapters of The Wildlife Society, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | February 2013 |