Lake County Aerial Capture of California Bighorn Sheep

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a contractor to provide aerial services for the capture, collaring, and release of California Bighorn Sheep in Lake County, Oregon. The contractor will provide a helicopter, experienced pilot, fuel truck and driver, a two-to-five-person wildlife capture crew, net gun, and capture equipment. The project aims to capture up to 80 bighorn sheep over two years, with the primary goal of collaring neonate lambs to determine causes of lamb mortality. The contractor will be responsible for conducting the capture operations, providing real-time flight following, and uploading GPS coordinates of captured sheep. • The project will take place in two locations: Abert Rim and Hart Mountain. • The contractor will provide a turbine engine helicopter and experienced pilot. • The contractor will provide a net gun and nets for capturing adult ewes and rams. • The contractor will transport ODFW biologists to capture locations and provide real-time flight following. • The contractor will be responsible for humane euthanasia of injured animals. • The contractor will adhere to recommended chase times and safety protocols.