Beavers Beavers Rule the Roost at Crater Lake Whether we are talking about bears, bison or beavers, the best safety rule with wild animals is this: “Do not invade their space.” It is amazing how often the rule is violated. NOTE: this article was originally published to jhnewsandguide.com on July 15, 2020. It was written by Doreen
"Wolves" 25 Years After Returning to Yellowstone, Wolves Have Helped Stabilize The Ecosystem As discussed in the article below, “by reducing elk numbers and thinning out weak and sick animals, wolves are helping create more resilient elk herds.” This is true, but another likely reason for falling elk numbers is brucellosis, an infection known as “contagious abortion” that affects ruminant animals including cervids
Alaska Beavers Are Accelerating Climate Change in Alaska? According to the article below, which repeats claims of CNN, beavers change climate. This is not correct. Global climate has been warming for at least 15,000 years. Because climate has warmed, the habitable area of North America has vastly expanded. Before this warming, the Laurentide Ice Sheet was almost
Who Liked Hurricane Sandy? These Tiny, Endangered Birds As discussed below, barrier islands are very subject to storm “damage”, which change habitats from one year to the next. The species that inhabit them are adapted to these changes, and decline without them. NOTE: this article was originally published to The New York Times on June 21, 2019. It
Bio-Diversity Pitchstone Waters' "Chiveros" This video is about Pitchstone Waters’ “Chiveros” – Spanish for goat herders. This team of Peruvian goat herders and their dogs have raised herding to an art. Pitchstone Waters “Chiveros” from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.
Bison Management Plan Park Service, Forest Service Agree to Supplement Bison Management Plan Imagine if bison were added to deer, elk, moose and pronghorn as migratory animals coming and going from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and the millions of acres of public land surrounding them. As discussed in the article below, brucellosis, an infection known as “contagious abortion” that affects ruminant
Antlers Culling of Bucks Doesn’t Lead To Bigger Bucks, Research Says Western wildlife agency elk and deer managers should read this article. For 40 years, culling, the removal of “inferior” bucks from deer herds, has been a bedrock principle and practice in Texas deer “management.” As it turns out, culling harms deer herds and lessens their capacity to produce big, trophy-class
Bio-Diversity Wolf Species Rebounds in Southwest, Angering Ranchers The success of the Mexican gray wolf reintroductions is great news. Limited wolf hunting would change wolf behavior, making wolves less of a nuisance, according to ranchers quoted in the article below. Wolf advocates should get onboard with this. NOTE: this article was originally published to WSJ.com on April
bear identification How to Tell Black Bears from Grizzly Bears “Is this bear photographed at Pitchstone Waters a black bear or a grizzly bear? Read below and then say which.” NOTE: this article was originally published to BearSmart.com Despite apparent differences in size and colour, grizzly vs black bear are often difficult to tell apart. Why is this important?
black bears Bear and Wolf on Fall River in Idaho We left this camera up all winter. So we have photos from October through June. We asked the experts… * What kind of bear? * Is this a wolf or a big coyote? Their response is below.
2020 Happy July 4, 2020 from Pitchstone Waters Ranch July 4, 2020 at Pitchstone Waters Ranch in Idaho. July 4th Fishing Picnic at Pitchstone Waters from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.
habitat restoration Jim Howell, Part II – Restoring Ecological Capital Through Grazing A business and investment model based on sustainable grazing of open ranges in the mountain West. NOTE: this article and podcast is owned by MountainandPrarie.com, and we’ve reposted it to this site. We have been associated with Mr. Howell for around 20 years, and are aligned to his
Bio-Diversity Book Review: Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther “Quoting a reader: This is the latest of several books by an author whose focus is on nature (primarily Florida’s) and attempts to protect it, with special emphasis on what happens when a bureaucracy becomes involved. NOTE: this article was originally published to WSJ.com on February 7, 2020.
grasslands Facts About Leafy Spurge As discussed below, leafy spurge uses explosive seed release, and wind, to throw seeds up to 15 feet. In addition to spreading by seed, its root systems increase by several feet each year, and the roots put up shoots. Chemicals are ineffective in controlling this plant, and cattle cannot eat
Bio-Diversity A Quiet Plague Outbreak has been Killing Yellowstone’s Cougars for Years Our public lands, parks, forests, and the wild animals that live in them seem increasingly unhealthy and disease prone. However, the cougar disease discussed in the National Geographic article below is a symptom of a larger problem. About 70-years ago, Dr. William Albrecht, who has since been dubbed “The Father
fatalities Grizzly Bear Death Rates Are Climbing “The real problem described in the article below is that grizzly bears do not fear humans. Limited hunting would change that, greatly reducing bear mortality from human causes by making bears wary of people. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on February 10, 2020. It was written
Bio-Diversity Shy Elk and Bold Birds Become Partners in the Wilderness “Interdependance (“mutualism”) is common in nature. Even species that are thought to be “competitive” usually turn out to be complimentary when their relationship is fully understood. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on November 29, 2017. It was written by Joanna Klein. Chances are that’s a
E.U. Farm Program Radical Changes Urged for Huge E.U. Farm Program According to the article below, “The European farm subsidies program accounts for nearly 40 percent of Europe’s budget, making it one of the biggest in the world. It is riddled with corruption and self-dealing, especially in eastern and Central Europe, where leaders have diverted money to underwrite their governments
Oh Give Me a Home Where The Bison Roam The grazing methodology described in the article below keeps animals – in this case bison – bunched, limits grazing in any particular area to a few days, and allows for complete plant recovery before regrazing. NOTE: this article was originally published to TheFencePost.comTheFencePost.com on April 5, 2020. It was written
Carbon Cowboys Farmers Dubbed The 'Carbon Cowboys' Say Business is Booming During Coronavirus Small scale meat processors boom during Covid-19 shutdown. NOTE: this article was originally published to FoxNews.com. It was written by Hollie McKay. While much of the farming industry has been decimated by the global coronavirus pandemic – forced to wastefully slaughter livestock, abort piglets, crush food and pummel perfectly healthy
Wolverine on Camera A wolverine or two repeatedly visited trail cameras set on the west slope of the Tetons this winter. Courtesy Photo/BrushBuck Wildlife Tours. NOTE: this article was originally published to TetonValleyNews.net on May 4, 2020. It was written by Julia Tellman. Adam Lackner, the co-founder of local guiding outfit
Property Rights Are Crucial to Protecting Our Environment “As discussed below, property rights are as important to protecting the environment as they are as guarantors of individual liberty. NOTE: this article was originally published to NationalReview.com on May 15, 2020. It was written by Nick Lindquist. While they’ve long been recognized as a guarantor of individual
invasive species These Large Carnivorous Lizards Are Right Where They Belong “As discussed below, many species considered “invasive” are “natives” – not “exotics”. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on May 15, 2020. It was written by Marion Renault. Monitor lizards, believed to be invasive species on some Pacific islands, got there long before humans, a new study says.
Bio-Diversity The Red Desert To Hoback Mule Deer Video Recently, the longest mule deer migration ever recorded was discovered where thousands of deer migrate 150 miles from winter ranges in the Red Desert to summer ranges in the mountains of northwest Wyoming. This 300-mile roundtrip journey leads mule deer through a variety of habitat types and anthropogenic obstacles, including
Climate Crisis Climate Crisis: Releasing Bison, Reindeer and Horses Into The Arctic Would Slow Warming, Say Scientists As climate warms, animals can help the tundra, as reported below. NOTE: this article was originally published to Independent.co.ukIndependent.co.uk on April 26, 2020. It was written by Jane DaltonJane Dalton. ‘This type of natural manipulation in ecosystems … has barely been researched to date, but holds tremendous
