Ha! Thanks for asking.
A lot of people wonder where are the bighorn sheep.
Even ranchers in McKenzie County go years without seeing them.
If you drive south of Watford City and cross the Little Missouri River, you drive through their neighborhood. They are generally south of the Little Missouri, across from the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The state says there are about 300 in the region, but that doesn’t ensure a sighting because they’re very hard to see.
This time of year, they’re migrating to their winter neighborhood and are rutting. So, they will be moving around, which makes it a good time to try to see them. Bring your binoculars.
Ranchers east of Highway 85 have told us they see them all the time, but they had to learn how to spot them. They typically can be found on either side of Highway 85, along the Long X Road to the east or to the west about 2 or 3 miles. They’re in the steep, sheer faces of the hills and blend in perfectly with the surroundings.
They like to feed on grass and live among the junipers. So, watch in grassy areas next to juniper stands. The rams have been battling pneumonia for several years, and several have succumbed to the infection. So, there may be an off-hand chance you may hear a ram coughing before you see one.