Seep Creek Valley

A long time ago, I went on a pack trip with an outfitter out of Brule, Alberta named Tom Vinson. Unable to locate the exact route, but many of the drainages in the Willmore Wilderness have similar vegetation. In this case, upland bench areas of dense willows adjacent to a creek below.

Some drainages, like Seep Creek, have alot of game trails leading out of the high country in neighboring Jasper National Park. Undoubtedly, many are seasonal migratory routes for big game, including bighorn sheep. Problem is, Bighorn Sheep don't eat willows. Stirrup-high, decadent stands of willows don't do wildlife any good at all.

I noticed areas up high which had lots of lush, green forage (grass and forbs) also had bands of bighorn sheep (ewes) nearby, and even a few trophy sized (3/4 curl or better) rams, as well. So, if you have an oasis, game will come.

Basic Wildlife/Range habitat management would suggest a need to selectively kill off some areas with overgrown willows. This could be accomplished with seasonal (spring or fall) controlled burns, or with the select use of herbicides to defoliate the willows. Nutrients and soil moisture would be released and grass would establish in the treated areas.

I would expect Bighorn sheep numbers to increase by such treatments designed to improve Fall-Spring-Winter habitat. In most states/provinces big game, particularly trophy animals (rare game), are worth alot of money and have potential economic benefit. In contrast, decadent, overgrown willow stands bring no economic benefit at all to anyone, as far as I can see.