Bio-Diversity

Addressing Brucellosis Will Help Ranchers and Wildlife

Quoting the PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER (PERC) article below, “Because ranchers bear the cost of brucellosis—and the stress of the very real possibility of transmission of the disease—they are understandably reluctant to have elk on their land, which brings wildlife into closer contact with their livestock. As

Agriculture

Livestock: A Powerful Tool for Wildfire Control

Quoting the article below, “Livestock grazing is also proposed as a potential solution for wildfires such as those that have devastated several western states this year. Researchers with the University of California Cooperative Extension are evaluating how much fine fuel — grasses and other plants known to start fires — cattle eat.

Bio-Diversity

Working Dogs - Farm To Fork Wyoming

Highly attuned to their partnership with man, livestock herding and guardian dogs are powerful and essential forces in the balance of nature and predation for today’s Wyoming rancher.

California wildfire insurance

A Tale of Two States: How California's Low Wildfire Premiums Burned Homeowners

As explained in the article below, in response to massive wildfire outbreaks California tried to mandate low wildfire insurance premiums. This turned out to be as disastrous for homeowners as state and federal agency “management” practices were for forests.   NOTE: The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) advocates for free

Chapter 3 Clovis

Clovis and the First North Americans

At some time around the end of the last ice age, about 11,500 years before present (“BP” is defined as 1950 AD), the first human hunter-gatherer groups entered North America, where they encountered diverse environments and climates.   According to this paper, human occupation of North America occurred earlier than

Bio-Diversity

The Gray Wolf Leads the Way for Other Endangered Species

“Common sense advice on how best to advance wolf restorations, from the PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER of Bozeman Montana. PERC is the home of free market environmentalism.   NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.org and the Duluth News Tribune on November 9, 2020. It was written by

Happy New Year - 2021

Happy New year from the Gill Family and Pitchstone Waters Ranch.

Cocker Spaniels

Here's Why Easy-going Cocker Spaniels Make the Perfect Family Dog

Quoting the article below: “Cocker Spaniels were originally bred to work and hunt, both on land and in water. The Cocker Spaniel is known for being gentle, affectionate and friendly, and is often referred to as the ‘merry cocker’ which is clearly demonstrated by its ever wagging tail!”   NOTE: this

christmas

Merry Christmas from Pitchstone Waters Ranch

God Bless Us, Every One!

"Wolves"

Washington State to Manage Wolves Within Borders After Fed Action

Quoting the article below, “Wolves were wiped out in Washington by the 1930s at the behest of the livestock industry. The animals began migrating back into the state from Idaho and British Columbia early in this century. Wolf recovery is popular with many urban residents of the state, but not

"Wolves"

Colorado Voters Approve Gray Wolf Reintroduction

Quoting the article below, “Colorado is the first state to reintroduce wolves at the direction of voters rather than federal wildlife biologists working under the Endangered Species Act.”   NOTE: this article was originally published to ColoradoSun.com on November 5, 2020. It was written by Jason Blevins.   Proposition 114 passed

forests

Neighbors Spread the Word to Slow the Destructive Spread of Fires

As described in the article below, small controlled fires and mechanical clearing in residential areas, like this one in Jackson Hole, is a vast improvement on the widespread lack of fire management within these areas—and the public lands that surround them.   As often discussed on this blog, grazing by

Archaeology

When Scientists Studied Infants’ Skeletons, They Discovered Ancient Secrets Locked Inside Their DNA

This article contains interesting insights that address two big questions: First, when did humans arrive in North America? And second, would the global climate, as the popular understanding maintains, be stable if humans weren’t using fossil fuels?   The date of human arrival on this continent is steadily being pushed

dam demolition

Deal Revives Plan for Largest US Dam Demolition

“This project will have a very beneficial effect on water quality and salmon.   Moreover, removals are inevitable. These dams are worn out. Because they are economic losers, there is no economic case for spending the vast sums needed to make them safe again.   NOTE: this article was originally published to

Bison

Amazing Graze

Wildlife management in South Texas continues to evolve on large hunting operations, and most devoted land owners are seeking an effective non-cattle grazing solution. Enter the amazing American Bison. NOTE: this article below was originally published to Texas Bison’s 2012 Journal. Document above can be found here.

Bears

Grizzly 399’s Diet Takes a Concerning Turn

“It is a tragic fact that once a grizzly associates people with food, it likely will have to be destroyed.   Counter-intuitively, limited hunting of grizzly bears, which would give them reasons to fear humans, could reduce the number of bears killed by people each year.   NOTE: this article was originally

Bio-Diversity

US Officials: Climate Change Not a Threat to Rare Wolverine

Contrary to the popular narrative, a slightly warmer climate, particularly in areas that are usually covered by snow and ice, expands the habitable area for many species.   Furthermore, endangered species listings should not be regulatory one-way streets. As species recover, onerous restrictions should be relaxed. These rules are often straight

Japanese City

To Scare Off Wild Bears, Japanese City Calls In Robo-Wolf

“This would only make an Idaho bear mad.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on November 13, 2020. It was written by Elaine Yu and Hisako Ueno.     After bears kept venturing into the city in search of food, officials installed mechanical wolves with bared teeth, glowing red

"Wolves"

Using Wolves as First Responders Against a Deadly Brain Disease

Some scientists say that the predators are essential to curbing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease because they pick off weak deer.

Conservation

Hunters' Patron Saint Celebrated This Month

“According to the article below, not only do virtually all major religions support ethical hunting, but most religions and cultures conduct special ceremonies to guide, support and protect hunters.   NOTE: this article was originally published to nrahlf.org on November 21, 2019. It was written by James A. Swan.   Each

Bio-Diversity

Trumpeter Swan Cygnets Released at Yellowstone to Boost Population

“The trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a species of swan found in North America. The heaviest living bird native to North America, it is also the largest existing species of waterfowl, with a wingspan of 6′ 2″ to 8′ 2”.  By 1933, fewer than 70 wild trumpeters were known to

Arizona Game and Fish Commission

Bison Herd To Be Culled On North Rim Of Grand Canyon National Park

Limited hunting of bison is to be used to manage herd numbers in Grand Canyon National Park. Let us hope this common sense catches on elsewhere, including Yellowstone.   NOTE: this article was originally published to National Parks Traveler’s Apple News Channel.   An agreement allows the Arizona Game and Fish

Belching Cows

Belching Cows and Endless Feedlots: Fixing Cattle’s Climate Issues

The so-called climate problem of cattle burps and farts is a phenomena of feedlots.   When cattle are on the range – grazing as nature intended –  they reduce atmospheric carbon.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on October 21, 2020. By Henry Fountain. Photographs and Video by George Steinmetz.

"Invasion Biology"

Burned, Beetle-ravaged Wyoming Forest Expected to Flourish

As demonstrated across the West, refusing to “manage” forests is a powerful management practice. While the practice of keeping human hands off of forest resources may be well-intentioned, it is detrimental and destructive. The “hands off” management policy has led to degraded forest conditions, which despite what we are being

Biodiversity

The Elwha Dams Are Gone and Chinook Are Surging Back, But Why Are So Few Reaching the Upper River?

“As reported below, King Salmon recovery on the Elwha River is going slowly. It will require that wild sea-run fish find their way back into the river, spawn, and then after several years, return to spawn again. The spawn-to-spawn time for the really big (100-pound) salmon once common in the