Pitchstone Waters (Page 30)

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Grizzly Bears Make Yellowstone Wolves Behave in Unexpected Way, Study Finds

Grizzly Bears Make Yellowstone Wolves Behave in Unexpected Way, Study Finds

As discussed below, predators change animal behavior. All predators change the behavior of prey animals. Predators can also alter the behavior of other predators. For instance, wolves change how bears behave, and the other way around. These different effects on animal behavior are probably as important to wildlife and habitat

elk_circle_corvallis

"Invasion Biology"

Elk Restoration

This video on the restoration of elk in Kentucky and other Eastern states begins, “There is perhaps no higher calling for a wildlife conservation organization than restoring extirpated wildlife species back to their historic ranges.” How true, except in Texas, where our state game department with the support or acquiescence

It Began as a Tool to Save Wild Elk. A Century Later, Feeding Threatens Iconic Herds

"Invasion Biology"

It Began as a Tool to Save Wild Elk. A Century Later, Feeding Threatens Iconic Herds

Here is a Washington Post article on the CWD threat from elk feeding. The paper says CWD was “identified” 50-years ago. The ‘rest of the story’ is that the “identification” occurred in a Colorado state experimental station in Ft. Collins: It’s like saying that the corona virus was “identified”

Migration Corridors

Migration Corridors

Each fall, mule deer are on the move, hustling to get to their winter home. Their motivation? Food, and they know the way there. Twice a year deer move between summer and winter ranges following a distinct traditional pathway to ensure the best chance of survival. Ungulate migration corridors in

‘A Barbaric Federal Program’: US Killed 1.75m Animals Last Year – or 200 Per Hour

"Invasion Biology"

‘A Barbaric Federal Program’: US Killed 1.75m Animals Last Year – or 200 Per Hour

As reported below, the federal “war on wildlife” is alive and well. NOTE: this article was originally published to The Guardian’s App News Channel on March 25, 2022. It was written by Oliver Milman. Activists condemn Wildlife Services, a division of the USDA, which says deaths necessary to protect

circle_ranch_west_texas_ranch_fall_sunset

Gulleys for Desert Grassland Restoration #2

Using a gulley to create a riparian meadow in the desert. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 31, 2017 To see another example of this practice, click here.

He Spent Decades Protecting Buffalo. A Microscopic Invader Threatens That Work

He Spent Decades Protecting Buffalo. A Microscopic Invader Threatens That Work

According the article below, Mycoplasma bovis, which is common in cattle but rarely lethal for that animal, is a rapidly an emerging killer of buffalo. Outbreaks are spiking in some herds, with mortalities of 40-50%. The New York Times blames the disease on global warming. But the medical literature says

Did the First Americans Arrive via Land Bridge? This Geneticist Says No.

Did the First Americans Arrive via Land Bridge? This Geneticist Says No.

“As discussed in the book reviewed below, every new discovery of archaeological information on early Americans seems to push back the date of human arrival on this continent. This evolving theory profoundly changes our understanding of America’s natural history. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on

Allan Savory: Planned Cattle Grazing Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Animal Development

Allan Savory: Planned Cattle Grazing Where the Rubber Hits the Road

In this 45-minute video, the Dean of holistic range science – Allan Savory – discusses on-the-ground application of holistic planned grazing. West Texas and New Mexico ranchers will find many helpful insights, observations and suggestions in this wide-ranging discussion of range and wildlife practices. NOTE: this post was originally published to this

‘Yellowstone’ and the Endangered Species Act

‘Yellowstone’ and the Endangered Species Act

Here is an excellent article by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) a free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman. As explained below, penalizing landowners who accommodate rare species (such as grizzly bear at Pitchstone Waters) encourages preemptive habitat destruction, not conservation. NOTE: this article was originally published

Massive Wolf Kill Disrupts Long-running Yellowstone Park Study

yellowstone national park

Massive Wolf Kill Disrupts Long-running Yellowstone Park Study

Thanks to the Trump Administration’s delisting of wolves, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho had the chance to lead in the management of wolf recovery, and in the process prove that Western states could, and should, take back forest and wildlife public lands management from the feds. Instead they promptly showed

Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas

Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas

Subsoil contour plowing is an excellent way to increase water absorption in the desert grasslands of far-West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The effectiveness of the practice is shown in these before-and-after comparisons. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 9, 2017.

Herd Impact

Husband and wife ranchers Emry Birdwell and Deborah Clark have been going against the grain of North Texas ranching for decades – hiding their ability to raise many, many more cattle per acre than any of their neighbors. They are a fiery couple, prone to snips as they get their field

Our Land, Our River?

Our Land, Our River?

Here is an excellent explanation of Western water rights, especially those of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah. It was written by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) a free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman. Quoting the article, “While it is true that Montana is less heavily regulated

Judge Restores Protections for Gray Wolves Across Much of US

Judge Restores Protections for Gray Wolves Across Much of US

“This was inevitable once Montana, Wyoming and Idaho resumed their 150-year long war on wolves. NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on February 10, 2022. It was written by Matthew Brown and John Flesher. BILLINGS, Mont (AP) — A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much

Chihuahuas and Keyline

Chihuahuas and Keyline

“Chichuahuas and Keyline” explains Chocolate the Keyline Dog’s take on contour subsoil plowing. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 13, 2017.

Hunters Kill 20 Yellowstone Wolves That Roamed Out of Park

Hunters Kill 20 Yellowstone Wolves That Roamed Out of Park

About 500-wolves have been killed in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana since they were delisted as endangered species in 2020. The war on wolves was a grave mistake for wildlife and cattle, since these large predators are the best natural control of the brucellosis and CWD epidemics rampaging through the Yellowstone

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Another example of a small dam that spills water from an eroded gulley, to reduce road washing and to irrigate a few acres of grassland at Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 2, 2017

Nearly Half of US Bald Eagles Suffer Lead Poisoning

Nearly Half of US Bald Eagles Suffer Lead Poisoning

“According to the article below, scientists say that eagles are still getting lead poison from carrion contaminated by bullets and fishing tackle. NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on February 17, 2022. It was written by Christina Larson. WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s national bird is more beleaguered