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Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:03 am
by ramblinman
A motorist drove his pickup truck through a herd of bighorn sheep on Highway 1, about 7 miles west of Anaconda, late Monday morning, killing at least eight animals, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

The driver, of Anaconda, wasn't injured or identified, said trooper Tom Gill.

Montana wildlife personnel were looking for other sheep Monday afternoon that left the crash scene after being injured. More sheep deaths are expected, Gill said.

Two of the dead animals were trophy rams, according to state wildlife biologist Ray Vinkey.

The driver, an adult male, was cited with a misdemeanor traffic ticket. Alcohol wasn't a factor in the incident, the patrol said.

Gill said the driver was westbound toward Georgetown Lake when the collision occurred.

"He was not paying attention to the large signs saying ‘watch out for sheep on the road,' and didn't slow down," Gill said.

The driver claimed the sun was in his eyes and he didn't see the sheep in the roadway, according to Gill. The herd was hit about 11:45 a.m.

The driver was cited with failure to obey a traffic signal. Two, large electronic signs on the eastbound and westbound sides of the highway warn motorists to be award of bighorn sheep on the road.

The sheep often gather on that stretch of roadway to lick salt, which is put there by road crews to melt ice.

Gill said the driver's truck incurred light damage.

Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:04 am
by ramblinman
This happened about 2 months agoImage

Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:05 am
by ramblinman
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Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:06 am
by ramblinman
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Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:09 am
by ramblinman
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Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:13 am
by The Rav
Now that is what you call a crying shame. I don't think the sun is very blinding at 11:45 AM.

Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:22 am
by muddy
That's a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAd deal.


Thank you, I'm here till Sunday, try the veal!

Sun can be blinding as all get out when it's off 100% snow cover.

Re: Motorist kills 8 bighorn sheep

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:27 am
by Treejunkie
A big waste.