Gravelly Range has extensive uplands. Photo by Ralph Maughan
The Greenhorn Vegetation Managment plan calls for logging and burning thousands of acres in the spectacular Gravelly Range of Montana, primarily to benefit the local ranchers. The Gravellies occupy the western edge of what is typically recognized as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The […]
Continue Reading →Livestock grazing in the arid West has a disproportionate impact on ecosystems. but especially on public lands which are to be managed for other values.
Photo George Wuerthner
Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2022. The Act would […]
Continue Reading →The Bighorn National Forest is one of the hidden gems of the West. With peaks towering to over 13,000 feet and spacious flower-studded meadows, the forest is an underappreciated scenic and wildlife haven of the West.
The Cloud Peak Wilderness on the Bighorn National Forest is a lake-studded area of granite basins. […]
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Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho. Photo George Wuerthner
Though most conservation groups focus on federal lands, a neglected area of concern are state properties. Throughout the West, most of these lands are either leased for timber cutting or livestock grazing.
Although there are limited ways that conservation groups can influence state management (or […]
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Recently Colorado U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton was quoted during a congressional hearing of the House Natural Resource Committee recommending the government enlist ranchers and farmers to better protect federal lands.
“Some of the best custodians for public lands happen to be our ranchers,” Tipton, R- Cortez, said.
Tipton is ignoring the full […]
Continue Reading →We now know the true story of the recently deceased 176 sheep near Fogg Hill in Eastern Idaho — frightened into stampede, but not killed by wolves. We have to ask ourselves, have past wolf “massacre of sheep” stories been similarly misreported?
Back in 2009 near Dillon, Montana, there was much outrage, but few facts […]
Continue Reading →More reporting about the bighorn/domestic sheep disease study
Other than the study itself, this is the first time that I’ve heard Dr. Srikmaran talk about last year’s study which confirms that domestic sheep diseases kill bighorn sheep.
“I am not that happy about this finding. Some people’s livelihood depends on domestic sheep,” [But the] […]
Continue Reading →Majority have been killed for livestock losses-
Despite controversy over the wolf hunt, about 60% of those killed were because the wolves killed livestock, usually just one or two animals. The large majority of the livestock retribution killing was done by Wildlife Services, not by the owners of the livestock. I would like to see […]
Continue Reading →After many years in existence, Sheep Experiment State does NEPA analysis on their operations-
According to their web site the Sheep Experiment Station’s mission is “to develop integrated methods for increasing production efficiency of sheep and to simultaneously improve the sustainability of rangeland ecosystems.” OK, but maybe folks would like to know the details.
For […]
Continue Reading →The story of what happened when a sheep guard dog attacked a mountain bike rider in Colorado.
A woman who was attacked by sheep guard dogs took her case to court and won.
Ranching, recreation collide in the great outdoors
By NICHOLAS RICCARDI – Los Angeles Times
