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

coronavirus

With South Africa in Lockdown, The Lions Are Taking It Very Easy

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.   NOTE: this article was originally published to CNN.com on April 17, 2020. It was written by Jack Guy.   New photos from South Africa’s Kruger National Park show a pride of lions lounging in a normally busy road.   Whether

Bio-Diversity

Huge Feral Hogs Invading Canada, Building ‘Pigloos’ As They Go

Cold weather is kinder to larger animals, because of “thermal efficiency”. This is why the largest bear, whales, deer and even quail are found in the northern extremes of their ranges. Pigs are no exception, as discussed below. And because they are intelligent, they build themselves shelters, and even use

Adolescent Grizzly at Pitchstone Waters

“In early May of 2020, our neighbor’s game camera photographed this young grizzly crossing onto our property, on the south side of Fall River.

Bison

First Bison Calf

The gestation period for the American bison is 9 1/2 months. Under normal conditions, cows have their calves from mid-April through June. Cows generally have one calf per year, but twins may occur very rarely.Calves are born big.   American bison calves weigh a massive 30 to 70 lbs.

Elk Migration

Stunning Video Shows Herd of Elk Running up a Hill Near Denver

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife has shared a stunning video of a herd of elk running across a landscape near Denver. NOTE: this article was originally published to Newsweek.com on December 27, 2019. It was written by Kashmira Gander.   ‘It is quite the sight to see’   The video shot on

"Invasion Biology"

Scientists Disagree on Bison Impacts to Yellowstone’s Northern Range

“According to Yellowstone’s senior bison biologist who is quoted below, Yellowstone is the only place in North America with a complete set of predators and herbivores – both of which shape their habitat in ways conventional “managers” neither understand nor like.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NationalParksTraveler.org

"Invasion Biology"

Take ‘Charisma’ Into Account When Managing Invasive Species, Scientists Say

As Groucho Marx asked all those years ago, “Who are you going to believe: Me, or your lying eyes?”   According to the doubtful premise underlying invasive species biology, any new creature entering a system is, by definition, harmful to it. This paper, written by invasion “biologists” warns against being “fooled”

Conservation

400 Miles to Cross: The Interstate 80 Wildlife Barrier

THIS IS WHY SOME DEER MIGRATE 150 MILES — BUT NO FURTHER. THE SOLUTION WILL MAKE YOU HOPEFUL. This new film shows how Interstate 80 in Wyoming is an almost impenetrable obstacle to movement of pronghorn, elk, and deer, including animals in the herd of world-record migrator Deer 255. The highway

"Wolves"

Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers in the US Soared in 2019

Cattlemen have a big problem with these little wolves. On closer inspection, it turns out there are ways to ranch alongside these animals. These alternative strategies benefit wildlife and habitat in important ways while improving range for cattle grazing.   NOTE: this article was originally published to TheVerge.com on March

"Invasion Biology"

Could an Invasive Snail Save Your Morning Coffee?

More often than not, “invasive” plants and animals are responding to human damage to ecosystems. So-called exotics are usually viewed as competitive to the systems where they have arrived, but on closer study, most turn out to be complimentary. Think of them as nature trying to rebalance herself.   NOTE: this

bigfoot

Book Review: ‘I Know What I Saw’

Seriously weird wildlife. NOTE: this article was originally published to WSJ.com on August 2, 2019. It was written by Tom Shippey.   A collection of firsthand sightings of mythical and mysterious creatures in the U.S., from the Oglala Deer Woman to the Texas Lobo Girl.   Farmers on the Mediterranean

Bighorn

Ceremonial Bighorn Sheep Headdresses and Masks in Native American Culture

Recent studies of native rock art in the Jornada del Muerto region of southern New Mexico show the ceremonial importance of Desert Bighorn Sheep in the ancient cultures of this area.   NOTE: This article was written by Margaret Berrier

beef

‘Plant-Based Meat’ May Be Problematic After All

“Is fake meat safe?   NOTE: this article was originally published to YourAmericaNews on July 22, 2019.   There’s a substantial push in America to have “plant-based meat” replace the real McCoy.   So far, sales have outpaced demand, but some journalists have exposed possible health concerns with the genetically modified food.

"Invasion Biology"

A Natural Classroom, Run by Wolves

Wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone has been a scientific and tourism bonanza.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on March 27, 2020. It was written by Jim Robbins. Mr. Robbins, a longtime contributor to The Times, is based in Helena, Mont.     Twenty-five years ago this month, 14 wolves

Elk Migration

On the Elk Trail: Episode 7 - What Migration Means

Quoting the producers of the video below, “After wrapping up years of research into elk migration patterns in the Greater Yellowstone area of northwest Wyoming, biologist Travis Zaffarano finds that images of elk making their yearly journeys are what sticks with him. Ultimately, migration is what allows these elk herds

"Invasion Biology"

Pablo Escobar’s Hippos Fill a Hole Left Since Ice Age Extinctions

According to the article below—and the study on which it is based—humans have caused the extinction of many large animals over the past 100,000 years. This has changed ecosystems greatly, generally for the worse.   Introductions of so-called exotics have somewhat compensated for extinction losses. As incongruous as

April Fools Day

Zoo Plays April Fool’s Joke on Media

“The irony is that, but for human influence on wildlife, close relatives of elephants might inhabit the valley of the San Antonio River today. Mammoths were in our systems until early Native Americans hunted them out about 10,000-years ago.”   NOTE: this article was originally published to KSAT.com on

Bears

The Predator Paradox: Ending the War with Wolves, Bears, Cougars, and Coyotes

“An expert in wildlife management tells the stories of those who are finding new ways for humans and mammalian predators to coexist.     NOTE: this book is available on Amazon.com   Stories of backyard bears and cat-eating coyotes are becoming increasingly common—even for people living in non-rural areas. Farmers anxious

March Ranch Report

Texas Ranch Market Report - Special - March 2020

Because of the economic lockdown, the ranch market is currently in deep freeze. Even with an economic “recovery”,  ranch prices  –  like the oil to which their values are tied  –  will remain depressed. In retrospect, the next 12-months will be seen as a great time to have bought ranch land.   NOTE: