Feral horse removal

[Hydrophilic]

A contrarian view:

These horses are part of our American heritage. They should absolutely be managed where indicated, however,
cheering on eradication of something because of ‘non native’ status, in a new world that is completely different than 300 years prior, just doesn’t make sense to me. If there is solid science telling us to completely eradicate these horses from areas for the sake of huntable game then I’d like to see it, but last I checked wildlife is held in trust for all citizens, not just hunters and anglers (who also give non native brown trout, pheasants, etc a pass).

New Research Rewrites the History of American Horses

Native Americans spread the animals across the West before Europeans arrived in the region, archaeological evidence and Indigenous knowledge show

www.smithsonianmag.com

 

[Mallardsx2]

^^^Interesting viewpoint.

Conversely, I was just researching to see if there was a woodchipper big enough to take a whole horse. Turns out there actually is, and they rent them.

 

[MarvB]

Yeah they're getting thick out our way in Central Oregon as well.
Hoping that the lions/wolves would thin them out a touch but such was not...this was on my way to go fishing a few weeks back



Could have reached out the window and smacked 'em on the ass!

 

[Birddoggin]

Here are some I ran accross chukar hunting. Horses, burros, and mules. Apparently they interbreed in the wild also.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Josey spit on Uncle Leo!

 

[Laszlo Cravensworth]

Josey spit on Uncle Leo!

I had no idea that was the same actor!

 

[Irrelevant]

Feds plan to remove all wild horses from 2.1M acres of Wyoming’s ‘checkerboard’ starting in July - WyoFile

Complete removal of nonnative equines from the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek and the northwest portion of the Adobe Town herd management areas still faces a public review process and legal appeal.

wyofile.com

Project update:https://wyofile.com/wild-horse-wipe...l-october-due-to-funding-staffing-legal-woes/
delayed again.

 

[Forkyfinder]

If they just turned hunters lose on those things the world would be a better place. Count me in on a horse hide and euro skull....

 

[Jbotto]

If they just turned hunters lose on those things the world would be a better place. Count me in on a horse hide and euro skull....

I agree. I’m surprised they don’t get shot more by people who are inclined.

 

[Irrelevant]

I agree. I’m surprised they don’t get shot more by people who are inclined.

I've certainly thought about it

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

You mean you’re not supposed to shoot them? I thought they were no different than feral cats.

 

[antlerradar]

You mean you’re not supposed to shoot them? I thought they were no different than feral cats.

I plead the 5th on cats.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Are they regulated? Are they not a game species but not a nongame species but not livestock either? What are they designated as??? I thought it was so cool to see in Nevada as a kid. I never thought much beyond that then.

Like wolves- beautiful to have some, mustn’t have an over abundance.

 

[kwyeewyk]

Are they regulated? Are they not a game species but not a nongame species but not livestock either? What are they designated as??? I thought it was so cool to see in Nevada as a kid. I never thought much beyond that then.

Like wolves- beautiful to have some, mustn’t have an over abundance

They are protected by wild horse and burro act of 1971

https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/programs_wildhorse_history_doc1.pdf

 

[Jbotto]

I've certainly thought about it

I feel like this is where the long range guys are needed the most.

 

[LopeHunter]

During the 2008 financial collapse, several horses were released along the AZ roadways by callous owners. A few dozen horses would up around a lake. These are 100% domestic horses. These are not mustangs. And yet, are being called wild horses as funds are being raised and petitions are being signed to save these horses which are creating tremendous damage to the ecosystems as an invasive specie. No idea how many horses are in the area after almost two decades but the damage is going to take decades for nature to reverse. Facts are useless against a motivated group of people deciding what is best for your backyard.

 

[Rack Daniels]

They are protected by wild horse and burro act of 1971

https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/programs_wildhorse_history_doc1.pdf

Thank you for that, I didn’t know that!

From their “declaration of policy”
‘where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.’

Isn’t it obvious that ANY natural system of the public lands that is at an over-abundance, is a threat to all others?
Where presently found sharks are an integral part of the ocean. Does that means we should let/help sharks eat all the baitfish until there are none left? What a silly principle to not have questioned in 50 years

 

[antlerradar]

During the 2008 financial collapse, several horses were released along the AZ roadways by callous owners. A few dozen horses would up around a lake. These are 100% domestic horses. These are not mustangs. And yet, are being called wild horses as funds are being raised and petitions are being signed to save these horses which are creating tremendous damage to the ecosystems as an invasive specie. No idea how many horses are in the area after almost two decades but the damage is going to take decades for nature to reverse. Facts are useless against a motivated group of people deciding what is best for your backyard.

Wasn't just the financial collapse, when the horse people got slaughter banned, people had no where to go with old broken down horses, so they just turned them loose. Some of them ended up on the Custer, but fortunately they didn't multiply.

 

[Southern Elk]

Wasn't just the financial collapse, when the horse people got slaughter banned, people had no where to go with old broken down horses, so they just turned them loose. Some of them ended up on the Custer, but fortunately they didn't multiply.

Back in the 90s there was a boom of people raising emus down south. People were paying upwards of $16,000 per pair for them. There was talk of a processing plant being built. It never happened and the market tanked. Folks started just turning them loose.

One ended up in my uncle’s pasture with his cows. He just let it hang out there for a while. One day he gets a call saying your emu is out in the highway. He didn’t want someone to hit it and blame him for the damage, even though it wasn’t really his. His 30-06 took care of the emu.

 

[kwyeewyk]

What a silly principle to not have questioned in 50 years

I'd say it's been questioned plenty, but it's another mess that congress created and has zero appetite to fix regardless of which party is in control.