History
In the late 1980's, Wyoming Game and Fish Department wanted a small-scale sheep observatory at Whiskey Mountain. At about the same time, the Louisiana-Pacific lumber mill was faltering. The mill was forced to close in 1988, leaving the town to wonder if their economy was facing imminent failure. Dubois needed something to encourage tourists to stop and stay a little longer. Wyoming Game & Fish Department wanted an avenue for public education. In a remarkable effort of co-operation, a partnership developed that included a broad spectrum of private- and public-sector groups. Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Town of Dubois, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wild Sheep Foundation (formerly Foundation for North American Wild Sheep), Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation and many other entities and individuals contributed dollars, resources, talents and guidance to construct the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, which opened on July 3, 1993.
Specialties
A wildlife experience for everyone! Here you may enter the world of the majestic Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Interactive displays, dioramas, full-body taxidermy mounts and films introduce visitors to the wild sheep of North America and other wildlife that share their home. Whiskey Mountain, just outside of Dubois, Wyoming, is home to the world's largest wintering herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorns. The Center leads guided wildlife viewing or photography tours to this mountainous area during the winter months, when it is possible to see bighorn sheep up close and personal!