Conflict Management

Conflict in wildlife management has been around as long as the science of management. We review the causes of conflict associated with mountain sheep (bighorn [ Ovis canadensis ], thinhorn [ Ovis dalli ]) and efforts to enhance their conservation. Conflict among humans may involve stakeholders that had no prior concern regarding mountain sheep management until disparate objectives, risks, or actions arise. Resolution of conflicts requires stakeholder engagement through listening, understanding, and empathizing with those affected by mountain sheep. Mountain sheep may serve as the catalyst for conflict in many of the same ways as other species, but for mountain sheep, roadway collisions and respiratory disease transmission between domestic and mountain sheep are most common. Managers should actively engage stakeholders using tools that have demonstrated efficacy, such as structured decision-making or other decision-making processes, to ensure that concerns are heard, and acceptable solutions are crafted to proactively address potential conflicts. Wildlife management agencies have continued to progress when considering affected stakeholders, but the stakeholders that hold the appropriate decision-making authority must be involved in the process. Patience, sincere empathy, and commitment to process are important to selecting the right approaches to prevent and mitigate conflict.