Feral Cows in New Mexico Will Be Shot From Helicopter

B

Bekeart

Platinum
Joined
Sep 6, 2006
Messages
3,707
Reaction score
6,358
Location
KY - 4 Rivers
Following in the path created by - USDA uses helicopter for 'yote control?

Feral Cows in New Mexico Will Be Shot From Helicopter

A helicopter with a shooter will fly over a portion of the vast Gila Wilderness in southwestern New Mexico next week, searching for feral cows to kill. US Forest Service managers approved the plan Thursday to protect sensitive spots in the nation's first designated wilderness area. The move sets the stage for legal challenges over how to handle unbranded livestock and other stray cows as drought deepens in the West, the AP reports. The Gila National Forest issued the decision amid pressure from environmental groups who raised concerns about nearly 150 cattle whose hooves and mouths are damaging streams and rivers

Full Story at: Feral Cows in New Mexico Will Be Shot From Helicopter

Bekeart
 
Register to hide this ad
biku324 said:
YOU go into the depths of the Gila to butcher and pack out beeves.

There haven't been roads there for 3 generations.
Click to expand...

Plus they will not take kindly to being chased, lassoed and dragged to a corral.
 
twodog max said:
The eco nuts are all worried over 150 cow hooves destroying the NF yet the ORV's unrestricted destruction of the Ozark National Forest goes on unabated.
Click to expand...

Reread the article. The "eco nuts" are supporting the culling operation. Cattle hooves are sharp and damage creek banks and muddy water holes.

I don't understand the ranchers objecting but I strongly suspect they are letting their own cattle wander freely.
 
Just about the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Create wildlife areas and kill wildlife, which is what "feral" cows are. More logical plan would be to put soft booties on all the cows, and not worry about the possibility of a few thousand illegals stumbling over a cow print.
 
Excellent Points

biku324 said:
YOU go into the depths of the Gila to butcher and pack out beeves.

There haven't been roads there for 3 generations.
Click to expand...

Excellent points, but what of the glaring question of cost/benefit? Helicopters are pricey to operate on a per hour basis. Government employee aircrew are paid very well with generous benefits. How much damage can a cow inflict? With no roads or other reasonable access, how many naturists will enjoy the pristine desert, or be harmed by loss of same? The bovine damage must be severe to justify burning fossil fuel to fly aerial assault missions, vs. letting them starve or die of thirst in the desert. Wouldn't starving feral cows simply migrate to more hospitable areas and become illegal migrants to Mexico?
 
ggibson511960 said:
Excellent points, but what of the glaring question of cost/benefit? Helicopters are pricey to operate on a per hour basis. Government employee aircrew are paid very well with generous benefits. How much damage can a cow inflict? With no roads or other reasonable access, how many naturists will enjoy the pristine desert, or be harmed by loss of same? The bovine damage must be severe to justify burning fossil fuel to fly aerial assault missions, vs. letting them starve or die of thirst in the desert. Wouldn't starving feral cows simply migrate to more hospitable areas and become illegal migrants to Mexico?
Click to expand...

I'd suspect this will be done by contractors.

The Gila Wilderness is comprised of relatively high mountains (up to 10,895 feet), with six over 10,000 feet, not at all desert. It is thickly forested, with some truly amazing tiny, clear streams, the Gila River, and some huge mountain meadows. Cows there aren't going anywhere, and they are really hard on the riparian areas whereas deer, elk, a few bigorns, and other game simply are not.

This is some of the best elk hunting anywhere in North America.

iu
 
Last edited:
biku324 said:
I'd suspect this will be done by contractors.

The Gila Wilderness is comprised of relatively high mountains (up to 10,895 feet), with six over 10,000 feet, not at all desert. It is thickly forested, with some truly amazing tiny, clear streams, the Gila River, and some huge mountain meadows. Cows there aren't going anywhere, and they are really hard on the riparian areas whereas deer, elk, a few bigorns, and other game simply are not.

This is some of the best elk hunting anywhere in North America.

iu
Click to expand...

Done by contractors, great. That will drive the cost up. What is wrong with having the national guard do it?
 
Contractors for a single, limited duration project will be cheaper - they'll get x days (four days, according to the article) at x rate and be done getting paid. Helicopter wrecks are their problem; I've flown that country in a Guard OH-58 Kiowa and have no interest in a repeat flight.
 
Last edited:
biku324 said:
Contractors for a single, limited duration project will be cheaper - they'll get x days (four days, according to the article) at x rate and be done getting paid. Helicopter wrecks are their problem; I've flown that country in a Guard OH-58 Kiowa and have no interest in a repeat flight.
Click to expand...

Do puke bags come as standard on that model?:D

I agree, cattle, feral or otherwise, are damned hard on riparian environments. The way they chew up the ground next to water is incredible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Bullseye 2620
On My Way to the Land of Enchantment -- Deming, New Mexico!
4 5 6
Replies
107
Views
3K
Geronimo Jim
Geronimo Jim

Latest posts

Back
Top