Bighorn Sheep Capture 2026

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is soliciting proposals for the 2026 Northeast Oregon Bighorn Sheep Capture project in Wallowa County. The selected contractor will provide a helicopter, an experienced pilot, a gunner, mungers, and a fuel service truck with a licensed driver to capture, restrain, and collar approximately 30 Bighorn sheep in the Bear Creek area. The scope of work includes approximately one flight day for surveying and two full capture days, with specific requirements for animal processing such as drawing blood, taking nasal swabs, ear punching, and fitting radio-collars. To ensure animal welfare, core body temperature checks are mandatory at initial capture and before release. Additionally, the contractor may be required to sling animals from capture locations to a central processing site. Proposals are due by October 1, 2026, and will be evaluated based on price, project understanding, general qualifications, crew experience, and references. The contract remains effective until April 15, 2027, and requires the contractor to make services available within 48 hours of notice. All aircraft repairs must adhere to FAR Part 135 standards, and the pilot maintains final authority over safety conditions. Compensation is based on unit pricing for capture handling, ferry flights, mobilization, and fuel truck operations. The contract includes specific liability limits set at one and one half times the maximum not-to-exceed amount and requires strict adherence to non-discrimination and pay equity laws.