DECEMBER 2016 • NEBRASKAland 63
conservation efforts for the species wouldn't be possible
without it.
A Rare Opportunity
Just 20 hunters have had the rare opportunity to pursue
bighorn sheep in Nebraska since reintroduction efforts
for the species began in the 1980s, and they've all been
successful. In 2015, the 19th and 20th sheep were harvested.
One of those sheep qualified as a state record trophy and the
other earned the distinction of being the first harvested in
the Wildcat Hills region of the North Platte River valley in
modern times.
Similar to most Nebraskans who win the lottery permit,
Terry Bogle of Lincoln wasn't overly familiar with the
species that he had become lucky enough to pursue after
his name was drawn from the 2,307 applicants who paid
a $25 entry. Although he's an avid deer hunter, exposure
to bighorn sheep in eastern Nebraska only presents itself
through television shows, media accounts or perhaps a trip
to the zoo.
Accompanied by his hunting buddy, Bob Dykeman of
