| We investigated mating behavior of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis ) to determine if mating by young males or low male-to-female ratios resulted in fewer young born, a shift in mean timing of births, or asynchronous births. The number of young born per female did not differ between the 1 st parturition period after reintroduction and the 2nd period of parturition. Mean birthdates and synchrony of births did not differ for these 2 populations between the 1st and 2nd years following reintroduction. Mating by young males or low male-to-female ratios had no demonstrable effect on the number of young born per female or timing and synchrony of births in these populations.;We quantified timing and synchrony of births in 2 populations of bighorns that were acquired from different source herds and reintroduced to adjacent areas to test whether timing and synchrony of parturition were similar between populations. Females on Mount Timpanogos gave birth later than females inhabiting Rock Canyon from 2001 to 2002 and in 2004; however, timing of births were similar in 2003 and from 2005 to 2007. Differences in mean birthdates and synchrony of births between populations decreased significantly from time since reintroduction. Our findings provide evidence that within 5 years after reintroduction, female bighorns adjusted timing and synchrony of parturition to environmental conditions of their release site.;We quantified use of water sources by bighorns to test hypotheses related to the value of these sites. Bighorns visited and spent more time around water in summer. These animals, however, did not visit and spend more time at water during drought. Use of water sources increased during times of similar precipitation that followed drought. Additionally, sexes used different water sources when they segregated, and males visited water sources used by females more often during aggregation. Sexes used water sources more in summer, and males visited water sources more during rut than did females. Sexes did not use water sources more during drought compared with non-drought conditions; however, sexes visited water sources more during the season following drought than following non-drought conditions. These results underscore the importance of water sources for reintroduced bighorns. |
