Bighorn

A collection of 121 posts

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

"Invasion Biology"

Mountain Goat Removal Temporarily Closes Areas Of Grand Teton National Park

According to the article below, the National Park Service (NPS) has decided to exterminate wild mountain goats in the Teton-Yellowstone Parks because they (1) are non-native, (2) “compete” with bighorn and (3) might infect them with diseases.   NPS claims to follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (the Model)

"Invasion Biology"

The Resistance to Holistic Wildlife Management

Across the West as well as in Texas, agencies, universities, governmental and conservation organizations resist holistic wildlife and agricultural management practices. Most Western public grazing rules make holistic grazing very difficult if not impossible  In this 5-minute video, range scientist Allan Savory discusses why this is so, and how this

American Prairie Reserve

Shooting Sportsman: The American Prairie Reserve

A visionary conservation success is taking shape on the high plains surrounding the Missouri River in northeastern Montana. Texas could – and should – have its own version. NOTE: this article was originally published to ShootingSportsman.com and was written by Ed Carroll. The landscape-scale conservation goals of the American Prairie Reserve

Bighorn

Bighorn Sheep

The bighorn sheep is named for its massive, spiral horns, which in the male can reach lengths of over a metre and weigh up to 14 kilograms, equalling the weight of the entire skeleton. The coat of this species is hairy rather than woolly, and coloured glossy brown in the

"Invasion Biology"

Elk Country Chronicles - The Sounds of Elk Country Volume 10

Nothing is as peaceful as elk country. Rather than trying to eliminate all elk on Texas’ public lands under the scientifically-bogus belief that they are an “invasive, exotic” species that harms bighorn, pronghorn and mule deer, wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and universities should simply follow their own North American Wildlife

Bighorn

German Winemakers See Boon in Climate Change

Global climate has never been static. In fact “Climate Change” is as old as the Earth. For millions of years, the Earth’s climate has vacillated between ice ages and warm periods. For the last 20,000-years, humans have benefited from the latest warming trend  – a trend which continues. When

"Invasion Biology"

Elk Country Chronicles - The Sounds of Elk Country Volume 9

Nothing is as peaceful as elk country. The sounds of nature and bugling elk ringing in the landscapes are the perfect getaway from your day. This video will provide you exactly what you need – an escape to elk country. Note: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Published on Oct 16, 2018

Bighorn

What We Know About Mule Deer Subspecies

Far-West Texas is home to the Desert Mule Deer, one of eleven subspecies of Odocoileus hemionus. Though larger than the Texas whitetail, Texas’ mule deer are smaller than their northern cousins. For many reasons, far-West Texas’ mule deer numbers have been falling irregularly for years. The many perversities of so-called

"Invasion Biology"

Strength to Hunt

Elk hunting and elk conservation are inseparable.

"Invasion Biology"

Aerial Shooting in Big Bend Park Spooks and Angers Hikers

On Texas’ public lands, helicopters are routinely used by bighorn sheep managers to kill ‘exotic’ animals and predators – often while counting game. This terrifies wildlife. Years of doing this has taught sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn to associate helicopters with mortal danger. This places extreme stress on animals – especially fawns

"Invasion Biology"

Sheep on the Mountain

A great article from TWA. At Circle Ranch, we have enjoyed considerable success with Desert Bighorn. Here is our take on how to help these majestic animals get re-established in their native range: 1. Increase water. Add a lot of water everywhere. Provide water in more locations and use “big

Bighorn

Desert Bighorn Sheep at Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, Far-West Texas

Big Bend National Park and the area around it is home to bighorn, elk, mule deer, pronghorn and their predators.

"Invasion Biology"

Supplemental Water and Feed for Desert Bighorn Sheep

Years ago I read an article by a man in the Sierra Nevada of California whose mine was being closed by the feds.  They said his mining operation was harming sheep populations.  He said, no, he had operated for many years with no problem to sheep: the problem was increased

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Bighorn Ram Killed at Circle Ranch, July 28, 2018

Desert Bighorn Sheep are the rarest of four wild sheep found in North America. A Circle Ranch guest shot this 169-5/8 Boone & Crockett bighorn ram on July 28, 2018. We see rams this big – or bigger – all the time. In our experience, sheep are easy to raise, and

Bighorn

The American Prairie Reserve

A visionary public-private effort to recreate a portion of the Northern Great Plains ecosystem is underway in Montana. Many hope another such effort will materialize on the Southern Great Plains, perhaps centered around Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle. NOTE: this article initially appeared on ShootingSportsman.com It was

"Invasion Biology"

Needed: A Safer Way to Fight Wildfire

Recently I was touring ranches near Ruidosa, New Mexico, and learned that toxic chemicals contained in fire-retardants like these had washed into their river systems, killing the fisheries which they are now trying to detoxify and restock. For over 100 years we have been using poisonous chemicals on fires, weeds,

"Invasion Biology"

Fire May Be the Only Remedy for a Plague Killing Deer and Elk

The noted agronomist and “Father of Soil Fertility” Professor William A. Albrecht said, “We should not fear the aggressive parasite and invader but rather the declining health of their victims.” He said this 80 years before the terms “environmentalism” or “holism” had been coined, in an era when attacks on

"Invasion Biology"

Rancher Takes an Unconventional Path to Restoring His Land

“Chris Gill, 72,  together with his family own Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. He thinks of the desert habitat, its flora and fauna, as a single system.” NOTE: this article was initially posted to ReportingTexas.com on December 12, 2017. It was written by Austin Price, and all photography credits

"Invasion Biology"

Wild Burros Providing Water for Wildlife

In far-West Texas, a coalition of government agencies, agricultural universities and conservation organizations has decided that wild burros on public lands should be eradicated. The coalition based its decision on the belief that what the burros are doing in the video above harms wildlife – especially Desert Bighon Sheep and Desert

"Invasion Biology"

Mountain Lions of Far-West Texas

Much of what we used to ‘know’ about mountain lions turns out to be wrong, starting with the belief they are a threat to livestock or humans. Lions –  and all other predators –  are necessary to the health of wildlife and habitat. Note: This amazing video was produced by Yeti in

"Invasion Biology"

Texas Elk and the North American Wildlife Conservation Model

For 150-years American conservationists have followed the the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. It has been beneficial for waterfowl and iconic big game species across the continent with the exception of elk in far-West Texas. Here on state-managed lands Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) bighorn sheep managers kill all

Bighorn

These Hungry Goats Learned to Branch Out

At Circle Ranch we have also found that goats can be very useful as grazing tools to help maintain habitat for wildlife. NOTE: This article was originally published to NYTimes.com on June 12, 2017. Photo credit: Dave Watts/Minden Pictures No, this is not an illustration from a book

Animal Development

Microbes Are the Key to Improving Rangeland Soil Fertility

David C. Johnson, Ph.D, of New Mexico State University discusses how his compost research shows tremendous promise for soil carbon sequestration, and the potential benefits that may have on climate change, our food system, rangelands and the wildlife they support. Microbes – ignored in most research – are the key. Transcript:

"Invasion Biology"

Circle Ranch Wildlife Cameras - Summer 2017

Every month we review 5,000 pictures and post a few of the most interesting. What is pictured here is biodiversity. Multiple species are complimentary – not competitive. Ranges need keystone grazers like bison or cattle, lots of predators and lots of prey species. Without all these, the systems come apart.