In this special episode of Sheep Fever, we sit down with the candidates for the 2026 Wild Sheep Foundation Board of Directors—four passionate individuals with deep roots in conservation and a shared commitment to wild sheep and the hunting heritage that sustains them.

At 02:49, Jann Demaske shares how her connection to wild sheep has shaped her life and leadership. She focused on the importance of strong advocacy, community involvement, and protecting both the animals and the traditions that make conservation possible.

At 17:27, Charlie Kelly reflects on his long history with WSF and the conservation world. With years of experience leading collaborative projects, he talks about the power of partnerships, the challenges wild sheep still face, and how strategic fundraising keeps critical work moving forward.

At 35:20, Ken Locke brings a hands-on perspective, emphasizing his desire to be a working board member who helps create real, measurable change. He speaks about making sheep hunting and conservation accessible to more people and keeping the focus on results that matter for wildlife.

Finally, at 48:54, Logan Young shares his excitement for what’s ahead—discussing youth engagement, long-term planning, and ways to build on WSF’s momentum to strengthen future conservation efforts.

Together, these conversations capture the dedication, experience, and heart behind each candidate—and the shared goal that unites them all: to put and keep wild sheep on the mountain for generations to come.

In this Sheep Fever – Kicked Out episode, host Maddie Richards catches up with John Hubbard to hear the story of his recent sheep hunt in the Yukon. For John, the trip represented more than just a hunt—it was the culmination of years of dreaming, planning, and preparing for one of the toughest adventures in North America.

He walks listeners through the entire journey, from gearing up and training to the demanding days in steep, unforgiving terrain. John talks about the grind of the mountains, the emotional ups and downs, and the moments of awe that remind hunters why they chase wild sheep in the first place. From the early morning glassing sessions to the final approach on his ram, every step tested his determination and deepened his appreciation for the experience.

Along the way, Maddie and John reflect on how the pursuit of a sheep isn’t just about the harvest—it’s about the personal growth, the connection to wild places, and the respect for the animals that call them home.

Whether you’ve hunted sheep yourself or dream of making that journey someday, John’s story captures the essence of what it means to be part of the mountain hunting tradition.

In this episode of Kicked Out stories, Maddie Richards sits down with Mike Aiazzi to talk about his journey to drawing a coveted sheep tag in Nevada. Together, they explore the emotional weight of the hunt, the preparation it required, and the meaningful role of family and memories in the experience.

Mike shares insights on the challenges he faced in the field, the beauty of Nevada’s landscapes, and how this hunt has shaped his work with the Wild Sheep Foundation. This episode highlights the deeper connections hunting can foster and underscores the vital importance of conservation.

Celebrating its 80th year of manufacturing some of the finest, fastest, accurate, hardest-hitting, and most innovative firearms and rifle cartridges in the industry, Weatherby, Inc. is not letting the recent downturn in the firearms and ammunition community slow them down. The post-pandemic surge in sales of both firearms and ammunition, as well as recent tariffs and the uncertainty they have spawned, has caused a short-term malaise in firearms and ammunition purchases. But rather than pause, the Skunkworks in Weatherby’s Sheridan, Wyoming-based factory and HQ, is in hyperdrive. Mindful of 80 glorious years, retro clothing, ammunition packaging, and new rifles and shotgun offerings are keeping Weatherby in the game…and at its top. 

Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton is joined by Weatherby CEO Adam Weatherby and COO Luke Thorkildsen for a deep dive into the industry, it’s future, and why this fine brand keeps designing, producing, and offering rifles that epitomize Roy’s mantra from decades before – Tomorrow’s Rifles Today. From the bold, yet universal 307 platform, fine yet affordable shotguns, to the just-launched 80th Anniversary Mark V, masterfully combining yesterday’s classic design with today’s materials and innovation, to top secret hints of what’s to come, this episode it spot-on for the Weatherby enthusiast, collector, mountain hunter, wing shooter, and firearms aficionado.

Celebrating its 80th year of manufacturing some of the finest, fastest, accurate, hardest-hitting, and most innovative firearms and rifle cartridges in the industry, Weatherby, Inc. is not letting the recent downturn in the firearms and ammunition community slow them down. The post-pandemic surge in sales of both firearms and ammunition, as well as recent tariffs and the uncertainty they have spawned, has caused a short-term malaise in firearms and ammunition purchases. But rather than pause, the Skunkworks in Weatherby’s Sheridan, Wyoming-based factory and HQ, is in hyperdrive. Mindful of 80 glorious years, retro clothing, ammunition packaging, and new rifles and shotgun offerings are keeping Weatherby in the game…and at its top. 

Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton is joined by Weatherby CEO Adam Weatherby and COO Luke Thorkildsen for a deep dive into the industry, it’s future, and why this fine brand keeps designing, producing, and offering rifles that epitomize Roy’s mantra from decades before – Tomorrow’s Rifles Today. From the bold, yet universal 307 platform, fine yet affordable shotguns, to the just-launched 80th Anniversary Mark V, masterfully combining yesterday’s classic design with today’s materials and innovation, to top secret hints of what’s to come, this episode it spot-on for the Weatherby enthusiast, collector, mountain hunter, wing shooter, and firearms aficionado.

Recent data from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) estimates that there are ~100,000 free-roaming aoudad west of the Pecos River. To put that in perspective, that is more than the entire bighorn (Rocky Mountain, California, & desert) population in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Texas was home to more than 1,800 desert bighorn sheep just a decade ago – a historical high and a success story population re-established through efforts by TPWD, WSF Affiliate Texas Bighorn Society (TBS), the Wild Sheep Foundation, and other Texas-based hunter/conservationist organizations. Today, that number has dwindled to about 400. Desert bighorns in Texas are in jeopardy of being extirpated for a second time. The cause? Competition for forage and water, and disease from the invasive aoudad, first introduced as a hunting species by TPWD in 1957 in Palo Duro Canyon. 

To some, aoudad are a trophy species and an alternative to high-cost indigenous wild sheep hunts. But at what cost? Are we willing to lose native desert bighorns in Texas and replace them with a non-native invasive goat-like alternative? This is what is at stake.  

Aoudad females can breed twice a year and usually give birth to twins. Compared to the desert bighorn ewe’s once-a-year and normal single lamb, desert bighorns are at the wrong end of the reproductive dynamic. And, like feral hogs, aoudad outcompete native bighorns, mule deer, and even domestic stock in the arid and fragile habitat they inhabit. As some Texas biologists have stated, “aoudad can eat rocks and thrive on them.”  

So, what can be done? WSF recently adopted a policy to prohibit the promotion of (exotic) aoudad hunting in our Award programs, publications, messaging, raffles, and conventions. Is this enough? 

In this episode, Sheep Fever co-host and WSF President & CEO Gray N. Thornton discusses this issue and WSF’s new policy with Texans WSF Director, and TBS immediate past president Sam Cunningham, TBS president and former WSF staffer Clay Brewer, and COO and EVP of Conservation Corey Mason.

 

Fresh on the heels of a record July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 fiscal year for the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), record convention proceeds to WSF ($4+ Million), record contributions to the Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation Endowment Fund ($2.2 Million), and a record directed to wild sheep conservation and other WSF Mission Programs (a staggering $11.53 Million), Sheep Fever co-host and WSF President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton sits down with WSF Board of Directors Chair, Charlie Kelly and Vice Chair Kyle Stelter to look to the future.

Chair Kelly’s mantra for the year is “Moving the Needle for Wild Sheep.” In this episode, he and Stelter give meaning to that objective. Charlie and Kyle share their vision for how WSF will continue our legacy of wild sheep conservation leadership, and specifically, what goals they have for this next fiscal year and beyond, and the desired impact on the resource…how these will move the needle for wild sheep.

Celebrating 20 years of suppressor/silencer sales and manufacturing, and most notably making the once onerous BATF application process simple, painless, and seamless, Silencer Central is an award-winning partner of the Wild Sheep Foundation.

Sheep Fever co-hosts Gray Thornton and Keith Balfourd visit with Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox to celebrate Silencer Central’s successes and discuss changes to National Firearm Act (NFA) laws signed into effect by President Trump and the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill.

If you have been waiting to buy a suppressor for your next hunt or trip to the range, Maddox will tell you there has never been a better time than now!

EP77 Save The Hunt – A conversation with Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management 

Of the Rocky Mountain states, Colorado has been ground zero for animal rights and anti-hunting, trapping, and science-based wildlife management extremists bent on challenging more than 100 years of successful and sportsmen funded wildlife restoration and management. After a stingingly narrow victory of a ballot box biology initiative to introduce grey wolves into the state, conservation minded Coloradans formed Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) led by Dan Gates to become the tip of the spear for anticipated future battles. Using a collaborative approach, identifying key constituencies, and key, and factual messaging, Dan and CRWM found the secret sauce to defeat Proposition 127 this past November that would have ended mountain lion management, as well as two other anti-led with Governor’s office support ballot initiatives. These were not only defeated, they were crushed by CRWM with financial support from across the country including WSF’s contribution of $100,000 to educate the public on the consequences of Prop 127. 

Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton, and guest host Corey Mason sit down in studio with Dan to discuss the 2024 wins, and plans for the next, seemingly never-ended battle to preserve science-informed, sustainable use wildlife conservation. Sit back with a Scotch and cigar, and enjoy! 

This week on Sheep Fever we visit with Eric Dippold, Secretary for the newly formed North American Pronghorn Foundation.

A uniquely North American goat species often referred to as being in the antelope family, the pronghorn is a cherished big game species by sportsmen from around the world and an out-the-window wildlife viewing favorite of travelers indicating they are now “out west.”

As celebrated as they are, there has never been an organization dedicated to their future, until now, and their timing couldn’t be better. Every year in one area or another where pronghorn range, we hear of one population challenge or another. Mostly its losses over an extreme winter. As tough as these deaths are to witness, weather events are often viewed as out of our hands, or are they? Are antelope loosing critical habitat? Yes. Could their historical migration corridors be less obstructed? Yes. Are too many predators an issue? Yes.

This sums up the mission of this new organization of which WSF is in full partnership-mode support.

Join the NAPF today at this link: https://www.pronghorns.org/