Support the Brandow Family
The Brandow Family desperately needs our help. For anyone not knowing this family, and what they mean to the wild sheep of the Grand Forks/Granby area of southern BC, here is a bit of background on this amazing family, and the hardships that have fallen on them. In March 2020 Covid struck and the world changed, and for outfitters like the Brandow family it meant the majority of their clients could not make it into the country and they resolved to “make it to next year”.
While unable to operate their outfitting business due to the border closures, in March of 2021 Bear Brandow’s storage shop including all of his outfitting and mechanics equipment burnt to the ground. Unbeknown to him, the owner of the building was underinsured and there was no way to recover their loss. It was a catastrophic loss to him, as this was Bear’s entire life’s collection of working tools and business equipment. It seemed things couldn’t get any worse. They still had their beloved wild sheep population that they have nurtured and cared for over the last 35 years, and they were getting ready to put on two guided hunts for California bighorn as they have done over the last few decades. This would help them get through the year and keep them on their feet. And then disaster struck. On August 20th, 2021 the California Bighorn Sheep herd that they helped to introduce, grow and protect for so many years, and that they depend on for their very livelihood, experienced a mass die-off due to Bluetongue. There will be no guided hunts for sheep this year in Granby, and likely not for several years to come.
Outfitting families like the Brandows are on the land, watching the push and pull of the ecosystems, practicing genuine wildlife stewardship, providing a voice for wildlife, and protecting wild places for future generations. Few families speak to this connection more that the Brandow family. They understand the value of wild places to people, and they enjoy a connection with those places that is becoming less and less common.
Their outfitting company, Granby Guide Outfitters, began with Barry Sr. and Midge Brandow in May, 1980. The Boundary Region at that time was very game rich and the family quickly gained a remarkable reputation in the outfitting industry. In the early 1980’s Barry Sr. saw the potential for a thriving wild sheep herd in the grasslands northeast of Grand Forks bordering Highway 3. He became a staunch advocate not just for sheep, but for all wildlife in the Boundary Region. His hard work along with other supporters resulted in the transplant of 12 California bighorn sheep in 1985 and another 13 animals in 1986 to the Granby range from the Vaseux Lake area. These sheep formed the base population of what would become a thriving herd of 250-300 sheep, truly one of the great success stories for wild sheep in BC. This herd has been unmistakable as you pass by along Highway 3 providing travellers and the community a brief look and connection with an iconic species. It has also provided hunting opportunities to First Nations, BC residents and non-residents alike. What you will also notice along Highway 3 is a nearly 12 km long (7.5 miles) fence on the north side, helping to keep the sheep safe from the busy highway. This fence was constructed and maintained by the Brandow family largely at their own time and expense. They recognized the risks the interface created between wildlife and humans and rather than wait and hope for someone else to do something they went out and did it! They maintain it year round to this day. They are the quiet conservationists and the voice for wild sheep that we all strive to be.
In February 2020, Granby Guides and Outfitters, now under the management of Barry Jr. (“Bear” to his friends and clients) were instrumental in organizing the purchase of the 270 acre Property DL492 under Southern Interior Land Trust followed by the 87 acre property DL493. The Brandows knew that this was critical habitat for the wild sheep that needed to be purchased and maintained as sheep habitat, rather than going to another use that could conflict with sheep conservation. They also made a significant monetary donation to the purchase to ensure the rolling bunchgrass grassland would remain wild sheep range for eternity.
This is a small and very incomplete description of the Brandow family’s contributions to wildlife in BC and across the continent. When people talk about action and conservation, the Brandows quietly take action, conserve and protect our wild connections. They have come to see this herd of wild sheep and its range as their legacy and so this loss has dealt a devastating blow not only to their business and income but to their personal well-being. The work that they have done over the years for wild sheep is the stuff of legends, yet they have never looked for the spotlight or wanted any recognition for the amazing work they have done. What we want you to understand is that the Brandows are good people doing good things in their community. They would never ask for help themselves because it’s not part of their code. That’s why we are asking for your help…. Please give to the Brandow family, give them hope for the future, let them know their community is here for them. The sheep need them, and so do we!
