Predator Removals

A collection of 223 posts

Bear

Grizzly Bear Attacks Prey

A grizzly chases down and kills an elk calf.     Terms like predation and harvest sugarcoat that hunters and predators kill. Nature is brutal; everything feeds on something.    Treasured species like elk are harmed when managed as free-ranging pets.   NOTE: this video was originally published to NationalGeographic.co.uk on January

bats

Yellowstone Bats

There are at least 13-species of bats found in Greater Yellowstone, which includes Pitchstone Waters Ranch.   Bats are among the most under-appreciated, misunderstood, and necessary of all the mammal predators. All this and much more is discussed in the excellent video posted below.      Bats are the only mammals capable of

Bio-Diversity

Wolves 101

With their piercing looks and spine-tingling howls, wolves inspire both adoration and controversy around the world. Find out how many wolf species exist, the characteristics that make each wolf’s howl unique, and how the wolf population in the continental United States nearly became extinct.   NOTE: this video was originally

"Invasion Biology"

Want to Fight the Feral Hog Problem in Texas? Start With $8k, a Helicopter and a Machine Gun.

“Feral pigs have become a problem for one reason: The food-safety agencies tasked to insure safe, wholesome, and affordable food have made them illegal to sell commercially. The commonsense solution is to put them back in the human food chain where they have been for thousands of years of human

Baby Bears

Baby Black Bear Learns the Ropes

A baby black bear must “learn the ropes” from mom in order to survive.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 8, 2019

"Invasion Biology"

How Texas Cougars Saved the Florida Panther

According to the article below, cougars translocated from Texas saved the Florida mountain lion, known as the Florida panther. At least two of those cougars were trapped at Circle Ranch, the West Texas ranch we previously owned, in 2002.   Species restoration using non-native stock is common across North America. Elk,

"Invasion Biology"

Wild Horses Benefiting From Dr. Jane Goodall's Leadership and Work

“More about a humane, cost-effective, holistic and all Natural solution for managing American wild horses. NOTE: this article was written by William E. Simpson II – Ethologist & Founder-CEO – Wild Horse Fire Brigade Org. It is published here with permission     Ethologist Michelle Gough seen studying and photographing free-roaming wild horses in

Bighorn

Five Iconic Animals of Yellowstone

“Yellowstone National Park may be best known for Old Faithful geyser and other unique geothermal features, but it’s also home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Learn about wolves, elk, grizzly bears, bison, and river otters that call Yellowstone home.   NOTE: this video was

"Wolves"

2022 Winter Wildlife Near Yellowstone Park, in Idaho

Winter wildlife, 2022 at Pitchstone Waters.

Bio-Diversity

See Why the Mysterious Mountain Lion Is the ‘Bigfoot’ of Big Cats

Much like the legendary Bigfoot or Yeti, the elusive mountain lion has also acquired its own mythical status.

"Invasion Biology"

Securing a Future for Wolves in the West

Another excellent article by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) the free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman.   This one is about how to address people and livelihoods while achieving the essential ecological need to return wolves across the West. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.

"Wolves"

Wolves and Moose at Pitchstone Waters

It’s springtime at Pitchstone Waters Ranch, which means that we can access our game cameras in the high forests along our boundary with the national forest, and see last winter’s photos. The game camera that took these photos is located in our northeast corner, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone

"Wolves"

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

"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”

"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

"Wolves"

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

"Invasion Biology"

The Real-World Conflicts in Yellowstone Can Be Solved by Markets, Not Drama

“Founded in 1980 by a handful of outdoor-oriented economists in Bozeman, Montana, PERC—the Property and Environment Research Center—is a conservation and research institute dedicated to free market environmentalism   NOTE: this PERC article was originally published to Reason.com on January 22, 2022. It was written by Shawn Regan

"Invasion Biology"

Drought Busters 101

“Drought Busters” is an inexpensive, quick, physiologically and economically sustainable method of habitat and wildlife restoration. We call it Drought Busters because it increases effective rainfall by rebuilding soil fertility and the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. This video explains Drought Busters, and our experience on how

Conservation

Nevada Board Rejects Proposal to Ban Coyote Killing Contests

The article below illustrates (1) the lack of understanding of the need for predators in our natural systems, and (2) why ethical hunting must always be an essential part of our outdoor pursuits.   NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on on November 6, 2021.   RENO, Nev. (AP)

Bio-Diversity

'Silver Bullet' for Business: The Aussie Farmers Bringing Dingoes Back

As discussed below, restoring predators in the Australian outback has had very positive effects on habitat and animals.   NOTE: this article was originally published to WAToday.com.au on July 26, 2021. It was written by Emma Young.   Cattle farmers from Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales are reaping

Bio-Diversity

A Death of Ethics: Is Hunting Destroying Itself?

Quoting the article below, “Hunting historians today say Theodore Roosevelt, as a student of science, would embrace the knowledge that touts predators’ important ecological role. They say he would be opposed to predator-killing contests and be appalled by the practice of running down wolves and coyotes on snowmobiles.   NOTE: this

Bear

Woman Is Killed in Montana Bear Attack

Limited bear hunting would make bears fearful of humans. Increased fear would help prevent bear attacks like the one described below. A healthy respect for people would also make poaching bears harder.   Because hunters have always provided the lion’s share of financial support for wildlife conservation and restoration, we

Gray Wolf

First Gray Wolf Pups Since 1940s Spotted in Colorado

“Quoting the article below, ” Wildlife advocates see wolf reintroduction in Colorado as a vital step in restoring the wolf more quickly to habitat stretching from the Canada to the Mexico border.”   NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on June 9, 2021.   ENVER (AP) — Colorado has its first

Bio-Diversity

Wolves Scare Deer and Reduce Auto Collisions 24%, Study Says

Wolves reduce deer-automobile collisions. This saves more money than proven wolf depredation costs in livestock losses.   NOTE: this article was originally published to Click2Houston.com’s Apple News Channel.com on May 24, 2021. It was written by Christina Larson.   Scientists found that an unconventional way of reducing the frequency

Bio-Diversity

Endangered Science

“As discussed below, of the many unscientific decisions of wildlife “management”,  predator eradications are probably the worst.   NOTE: this article was originally published to HuffPost.com. It was part of a collection written by Camilla Fox, Executive Director, Project Coyote. She is also a contributor to HuffPost.com and the