TPWD: Desert Bighorn Out Soon

Texas's desert bighorn sheep are making a much-needed comeback. The #TexasParksandWildlifeDepartment announced they'll restore the species to the Franklin Mountains this fall, continuing decades of effort to restore the once-lost population.

This fall... we will begin restoring the native species to the Franklin Mountains. - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The desert bighorn sheep were extinct in Texas by the 1960s due to overhunting and disease. Now, there are 1,500 across Far West Texas, roaming from Big Bend to El Paso in 11 free-ranging herds. This is thanks to restocking efforts since 1954.

But the sheep face a new threat: the aoudad, or Barbary sheep. This African invader was released by private owners in 1957 for hunting, and now out-competes the desert bighorn for resources.

Hunting regulations are in place to protect the fragile desert bighorn population. Permits are required, with a bag limit of one ram per hunter, and a valid Texas hunting license is necessary.