Sheep Fever

More maulings, deaths, and livestock losses. More lawsuits, political posturing, and ballot initiatives. More misinformation and fundraising over what should be a conservation story, turned into a tragedy. Are we asking the US Fish & Wildlife Service to make decisions based on science or values?  We visit with WSF's Legislative Affairs expert and consultant, Greg Schildwachter, who has had these issues and the Endangered Species Act in his portfolio for the past 25 years, to find out how we got here, what's really happening behind the provocative headlines, and if there is a common-sense way forward that will work for people and  

When Chelsea drew a coveted Alaska sheep tag, she knew it would require everything—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode, she walks listeners through the full journey: months of preparation, the doubt and determination that shaped her mindset, and the pivotal moments on the mountain that tested her limits. Hunting alongside another woman added a unique layer of support and camaraderie, reminding her that shared grit can carry you further than sheer strength. Chelsea about the highs and lows of the hunt, from chasing rams across steep country to the quiet moments of reflection when no one else was around. Her story reveals the dedication behind a dream hunt and the sense of fulfillment that comes from earning every step. This isn't just a hunt—it's a testament to what happens when passion, preparation, and opportunity collide. Whether you're a seasoned mountain hunter or simply someone who loves stories of perseverance, this episode will leave you inspired to chase your own "once-in-a-lifetime" goals.

In this episode of Sheep Fever, we sit down with Gunwerks founder Aaron Davidson—an innovator and engineer who's helped redefine precision shooting and modern rifle systems. Davidson shares the philosophy behind Gunwerks' "Unrivaled Shooting Experience," a concept built around integrating advanced technology, smart design, and real-world performance to create better shooters and more ethical hunters. But this conversation goes deeper than gear. Davidson challenges us to think about the experience of shooting—the connection between preparation, confidence, and respect for the game we pursue. Whether you're a long-range enthusiast or simply want to make your first shot count when it matters most, you'll take something valuable from this discussion. Tune in to Sheep Fever as we explore how precision, purpose, and innovation intersect in the field with Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks.  

In this special episode of Sheep Fever, we sit down with the candidates for the 2026 Wild Sheep Foundation Board of Directors—four passionate individuals with deep roots in conservation and a shared commitment to wild sheep and the hunting heritage that sustains them. At 02:49, Jann Demaske shares how her connection to wild sheep has shaped her life and leadership. She focused on the importance of strong advocacy, community involvement, and protecting both the animals and the traditions that make conservation possible. At 17:27, Charlie Kelly reflects on his long history with WSF and the conservation world. With years of experience leading collaborative projects, he talks about the power of partnerships, the challenges wild sheep still face, and how strategic fundraising keeps critical work moving forward. At 35:20, Ken Locke brings a hands-on perspective, emphasizing his desire to be a working board member who helps create real, measurable change. He speaks about making sheep hunting and conservation accessible to more people and keeping the focus on results that matter for wildlife. Finally, at 48:54, Logan Young shares his excitement for what's ahead—discussing youth engagement, long-term planning, and ways to build on WSF's momentum to strengthen future conservation efforts. Together, these conversations capture the dedication, experience, and heart behind each candidate—and the shared goal that unites them all: to put and keep wild sheep on the mountain for generations to come.

In this Sheep Fever – Kicked Out episode, host Maddie Richards catches up with John Hubbard to hear the story of his recent sheep hunt in the Yukon. For John, the trip represented more than just a hunt—it was the culmination of years of dreaming, planning, and preparing for one of the toughest adventures in North America. He walks listeners through the entire journey, from gearing up and training to the demanding days in steep, unforgiving terrain. John talks about the grind of the mountains, the emotional ups and downs, and the moments of awe that remind hunters why they chase wild sheep in the first place. From the early morning glassing sessions to the final approach on his ram, every step tested his determination and deepened his appreciation for the experience. Along the way, Maddie and John reflect on how the pursuit of a sheep isn't just about the harvest—it's about the personal growth, the connection to wild places, and the respect for the animals that call them home. Whether you've hunted sheep yourself or dream of making that journey someday, John's story captures the essence of what it means to be part of the mountain hunting tradition.

In this episode of Kicked Out stories, Maddie Richards sits down with Mike Aiazzi to talk about his journey to drawing a coveted sheep tag in Nevada. Together, they explore the emotional weight of the hunt, the preparation it required, and the meaningful role of family and memories in the experience. Mike shares insights on the challenges he faced in the field, the beauty of Nevada's landscapes, and how this hunt has shaped his work with the Wild Sheep Foundation. This episode highlights the deeper connections hunting can foster and underscores the vital importance of conservation.

Celebrating its 80th year of manufacturing some of the finest, fastest, accurate, hardest-hitting, and most innovative firearms and rifle cartridges in the industry, Weatherby, Inc. is not letting the recent downturn in the firearms and ammunition community slow them down. The post-pandemic surge in sales of both firearms and ammunition, as well as recent tariffs and the uncertainty they have spawned, has caused a short-term malaise in firearms and ammunition purchases. But rather than pause, the Skunkworks in Weatherby's Sheridan, Wyoming-based factory and HQ, is in hyperdrive. Mindful of 80 glorious years, retro clothing, ammunition packaging, and new rifles and shotgun offerings are keeping Weatherby in the game…and at its top.  Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton is joined by Weatherby CEO Adam Weatherby and COO Luke Thorkildsen for a deep dive into the industry, it's future, and why this fine brand keeps designing, producing, and offering rifles that epitomize Roy's mantra from decades before – Tomorrow's Rifles Today. From the bold, yet universal 307 platform, fine yet affordable shotguns, to the just-launched 80th Anniversary Mark V, masterfully combining yesterday's classic design with today's materials and innovation, to top secret hints of what's to come, this episode it spot-on for the Weatherby enthusiast, collector, mountain hunter, wing shooter, and firearms aficionado.

Recent data from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) estimates that there are ~100,000 free-roaming aoudad west of the Pecos River. To put that in perspective, that is more than the entire bighorn (Rocky Mountain, California, & desert) population in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Texas was home to more than 1,800 desert bighorn sheep just a decade ago – a historical high and a success story population re-established through efforts by TPWD, WSF Affiliate Texas Bighorn Society (TBS), the Wild Sheep Foundation, and other Texas-based hunter/conservationist organizations. Today, that number has dwindled to about 400. Desert bighorns in Texas are in jeopardy of being extirpated for a second time. The cause? Competition for forage and water, and disease from the invasive aoudad, first introduced as a hunting species by TPWD in 1957 in Palo Duro Canyon.  To some, aoudad are a trophy species and an alternative to high-cost indigenous wild sheep hunts. But at what cost? Are we willing to lose native desert bighorns in Texas and replace them with a non-native invasive goat-like alternative? This is what is at stake.   Aoudad females can breed twice a year and usually give birth to twins. Compared to the desert bighorn ewe's once-a-year and normal single lamb, desert bighorns are at the wrong end of the reproductive dynamic. And, like feral hogs, aoudad outcompete native bighorns, mule deer, and even domestic stock in the arid and fragile habitat they inhabit. As some Texas biologists have stated, "aoudad can eat rocks and thrive on them."   So, what can be done? WSF recently adopted a policy to prohibit the promotion of (exotic) aoudad hunting in our Award programs, publications, messaging, raffles, and conventions. Is this enough?  In this episode, Sheep Fever co-host and WSF President & CEO Gray N. Thornton discusses this issue and WSF's new policy with Texans WSF Director, and TBS immediate past president Sam Cunningham, TBS president and former WSF staffer Clay Brewer, and COO and EVP of Conservation Corey Mason.  

Fresh on the heels of a record July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 fiscal year for the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), record convention proceeds to WSF ($4+ Million), record contributions to the Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation Endowment Fund ($2.2 Million), and a record directed to wild sheep conservation and other WSF Mission Programs (a staggering $11.53 Million), Sheep Fever co-host and WSF President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton sits down with WSF Board of Directors Chair, Charlie Kelly and Vice Chair Kyle Stelter to look to the future. Chair Kelly's mantra for the year is "Moving the Needle for Wild Sheep." In this episode, he and Stelter give meaning to that objective. Charlie and Kyle share their vision for how WSF will continue our legacy of wild sheep conservation leadership, and specifically, what goals they have for this next fiscal year and beyond, and the desired impact on the resource…how these will move the needle for wild sheep.

Celebrating 20 years of suppressor/silencer sales and manufacturing, and most notably making the once onerous BATF application process simple, painless, and seamless, Silencer Central is an award-winning partner of the Wild Sheep Foundation. Sheep Fever co-hosts Gray Thornton and Keith Balfourd visit with Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox to celebrate Silencer Central's successes and discuss changes to National Firearm Act (NFA) laws signed into effect by President Trump and the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill. If you have been waiting to buy a suppressor for your next hunt or trip to the range, Maddox will tell you there has never been a better time than now!

EP77 Save The Hunt – A conversation with Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management  Of the Rocky Mountain states, Colorado has been ground zero for animal rights and anti-hunting, trapping, and science-based wildlife management extremists bent on challenging more than 100 years of successful and sportsmen funded wildlife restoration and management. After a stingingly narrow victory of a ballot box biology initiative to introduce grey wolves into the state, conservation minded Coloradans formed Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) led by Dan Gates to become the tip of the spear for anticipated future battles. Using a collaborative approach, identifying key constituencies, and key, and factual messaging, Dan and CRWM found the secret sauce to defeat Proposition 127 this past November that would have ended mountain lion management, as well as two other anti-led with Governor's office support ballot initiatives. These were not only defeated, they were crushed by CRWM with financial support from across the country including WSF's contribution of $100,000 to educate the public on the consequences of Prop 127.  Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton, and guest host Corey Mason sit down in studio with Dan to discuss the 2024 wins, and plans for the next, seemingly never-ended battle to preserve science-informed, sustainable use wildlife conservation. Sit back with a Scotch and cigar, and enjoy! 

This week on Sheep Fever we visit with Eric Dippold, Secretary for the newly formed North American Pronghorn Foundation. A uniquely North American goat species often referred to as being in the antelope family, the pronghorn is a cherished big game species by sportsmen from around the world and an out-the-window wildlife viewing favorite of travelers indicating they are now "out west." As celebrated as they are, there has never been an organization dedicated to their future, until now, and their timing couldn't be better. Every year in one area or another where pronghorn range, we hear of one population challenge or another. Mostly its losses over an extreme winter. As tough as these deaths are to witness, weather events are often viewed as out of our hands, or are they? Are antelope loosing critical habitat? Yes. Could their historical migration corridors be less obstructed? Yes. Are too many predators an issue? Yes. This sums up the mission of this new organization of which WSF is in full partnership-mode support. Join the NAPF today at this link: https://www.pronghorns.org/

Sheep Fever co-hosts Keith and Gray visit with WSF Chairman, Charlie Kelly (AZ) and COO Corey Mason (TX) about the Foundation's raffling of the 2025-26 Arizona Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Raffle tag, auctions tags, conservation funding, and where the money goes. Sometimes celebrated, sometimes hated on, auction tags do get a lot of attention. Some cry for more raffle opportunities to be "fair", while others want to see max dollars raised for wild sheep, which translates to more wild sheep on the mountain and more opportunity for all forms of tags. Regardless, WSF has a mission committed to doing everything in its power for the wild sheep resource. This time, it's marketing and selling a raffle tag where every dollar raised from the tag goes back to the state. The raffle ends June 30th. The winner will have from August 15 2025 to August 14, 2026, to find their ram. Tickets are $50 each at this link: https://wildsheep.fanthem.io/give/sheep/online-raffles/bhs?referralCode=sheepfever

Launched in 2015 with financial support from WSF and others, the Wild Harvest Initiative sought to calculate, for the first time, the total amount in pounds or tons of healthy, wild protein humanely harvested by sportsmen every year in the US and Canada. Keith caught up with Conservation Visions President and CEO Shane Mahoney to go over the numbers documented thus far and most importantly, how this data is being used to generate a broader public understanding and appreciation for sustainable use hunting. The sheer tonnage of wild protein consumed as meals and shared by hunters every year is staggering. It really puts into perspective the value of conservation and healthy ecosystems as nature's pantry, as it has been for a millennium. People may not hunt or agree on hunting's modern relevance, but no one can dismiss food as nonessential.

Artist, film producer, television host, outdoor communicator, ambassador, hunter, conservationist, father are just a few descriptives of Montana native Jason Matzinger. In this episode Jason and Gray cover a broad range of topics from Jason's roots, what makes him tick, outdoor media, where it came from, where it is going, and its benefits and burdens. Jason is the real deal and this episode covers topics coast to coast including the status of the outdoor industry. We also learn there is one descriptive that Jason does not consider himself to be…an "influencer." Find out why. We're already looking forward to Part II.

Tough to choose, but here is a Best of Sheep Fever 2024 special episode. Actually, our listeners choose for us by most popular downloads. A lot of ground covered by some pretty seasoned folks in sheep hunting, conservation's history and future, wild sheep biology, predator management, shooting technology and marksmanship, to name a few. ·  Episode 40: Wild Sheep & Predators - Kevin Hurley, Kurt Alt, Tom Lohuis, and Eric Rominger (02:00) ·  Episode 46: Shooting Tech and the Era of Marksmanship - John Snow (28:19) ·  Episode 50: WSF Ambassador Talk Sheep Show - Jana Waller (52:08) ·  Episode 63: What Next for Conservation - Shane Mahoney (1:08:03) You'll like this one.

Often consumed to celebrate victory, sometimes even survival, but just as often to mourn defeat, whiskey and wild sheep do go together. Such was the vision of founder Robert Gertsner when he conceived of wild sheep inspired distilled adult beverages now known as Full Curl Brand's. Rob is a successful entrepreneur and a passionate and equally successful sheep hunter. A bowhunter, his coveted offerings of bourbon, rye, gin, and vodka match his pension for doing it the right way even if that is not the easy one. Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton and Rob discuss how the brand started, sheep and mountain hunting, the liquor business, the Sheep Show, partnerships and how Rob pays it forward by donating a portion of every bottle sold to fund wild sheep conservation. Pour yourself a glass, grab a fine cigar, relax, make no apologies, and sit back and enjoy this episode.

Admittedly, hunters are gear junkies. When it comes to our knives, as we learned from MKC founder and CEO Josh Smith, it runs deeper than that. Grandpa's knife can be Dad's knife; can then be our knife as a rite of passage. Sheep Fever sat down with Josh and a true American brand success story to discuss his humble beginning as a Montana boy knifemaker at age 15 to becoming the youngest Master Knifemaker in the country as certified by the Knifemaker's Guild, onto becoming one of the most successful startup knife companies in a very crowded field. His story and his philosophy about cutting tools, his team, and what goes into each MKC blade is an interesting journey into tradecraft for the hunter, and now the ranch, the kitchen, and who knows what next.  The timing couldn't be better. WSF has secured a limited number of their famous Blackfoot 2.0 knives for our current Life Member promotion giveaway. Like all MKC knives, if you blink, they're gone. Full details at this link https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/life-summitlife  

Post Sheep Show, Sheep Fever co-host Keith Balfourd and WSF's Director of Publications and Awards, Julie Tripp reconnect with Dustin Diefenderfer of Mtn. Tough Fitness Labs to walk, or limp back through the first TOUGH SHEEP workout that took place at the Show. The TOUGH SHEEP workout was conceived by Dustin and his team to engage mountain fitness enthusiasts. The event aimed to not only welcome participants to the Sheep Show but also to provide a calendar event for their workout goals, create opportunities for in-person connections beyond their private workout spaces, contribute directly to wild sheep conservation efforts, and offer a chance to win a Dall's sheep hunt. The event raised $50,000 for wild sheep. It was a lot to unpack, but with the maximum of 500 registrants on the books, 428 making it to Reno and starting and all completing the workout, TOUGH SHEEP was a huge success and all the buzz of the 2025 Sheep Show. Plans are in play for an even bigger and better event for 2026.

In Part II of our Spotlight on BC, Kyle, Scott, and Gray weigh into the status of wild sheep and wildlife in the province, and the status of wildlife conservation and management given Ministry, staff, and other recent political changes. The trio of CEOs discuss the prospects for restoring the grizzly bear hunt, other wildlife challenges, dollars to the resource vs. impact to the resource and social license issues effecting conservationists ability to fund our efforts.