Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area has a sign at the posted coordinates. The area is surrounded by high fencing with a gate. The gate was open when we were there. However, 700 metres north turn right on McIntyre Circle where you can drive into the area.
Since we lived in the area for many years, we often drove by this area and viewed the bighorn sheep on numerous occasions, however none were to be seen the day we visited the area.
The Vaseux-Bighorn NWA officially became a federal property in 1979. The wildlife area took its name from Vaseux Lake and one of the area's most charismatic wildlife species, the California Bighorn Sheep.
The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) manages several separate units of land which comprise the Vaseux-Bighorn NWA. The NWA is also adjacent to Vaseux Lake, a federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary established in 1923, and other conservation land holdings protected by the province, Nature Trust of British Columbia, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
In the NWA are at least 30 species listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), 28 of which are listed on Schedule I of the Species at Risk Act including the threatened White-headed Woodpecker, Lewis's Woodpecker, Pallid Bat, and Behr's Hairstreak, as well as the special concern Long-billed Curlew and Peregrine Falcon. Rare plants within the NWA include Antelope Brush, Needle-and-Thread Grass, Water Birch, Red Osier Dogwood, Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Arrow-Leaved Balsamroot, and Ponderosa Pine–Bluebunch Wheatgrass.
Vaseux Lake Conservation Area
In 1985, the Nature Trust acquired this 2 hectares of critical California Bighorn sheep range adjacent to the Vaseux Bighorn National Wildlife area (812 hectare). This property adjoins a 64 hectare parcel acquired in 1983. These acquisitions are managed by the Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment and help to preserve an example of the rare Osoyoos arid biotic zone.
Co-Funders
B.C. Conservation Foundation
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
South Okanagan Sportsmen’s Association
For All of Us Forever
Transcribed From the Sign