Rules of Fair Chase - Pitchstone Waters (Page 2)

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Rules of Fair Chase

A collection of 47 posts

Mule Deer Hunting in the Sierra Diablos

Mule Deer Hunting in the Sierra Diablos

U.S. - Mexico Teamwork Where the Rio Grande Is but a Ribbon

"Invasion Biology"

U.S. - Mexico Teamwork Where the Rio Grande Is but a Ribbon

The destructive and wasteful application of invasive species biology as promoted by The New York Times. Invasive species biology is based on the assumption that anything done by an “invasive” is by definition bad. According to the invasive species folks, cane is a sneaky invader that has driven out native

circle_ranch_wood_canyon_beach_mountains

"Invasion Biology"

Thanksgiving at Circle Ranch

Our best wishes go to you and yours this holiday season. Circle Ranch Thanksgiving – 2016 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Stop Killing Coyotes

Animal Development

Stop Killing Coyotes

As repeatedly shown, predator “control” harms the species we seek to protect. In addition, there is the ethical issue of the control methods used, which true hunters would neither use, nor tolerate. NOTE: This post initially appeared on NYTimes.com on August 11, 2016 One morning in the late 1930s,

circle_ranch_chronic_wasting_texas

"Invasion Biology"

Parks and Wildlife Begins Reducing Deer Population at Texas Mountain Ranch

CWD and high-fenced deer go hand in hand. Chronic Wasting Disease was created in a government-funded, high-fenced experimental wildlife facility near Fort Collins, Colorado. They won’t say what was being done to these confined animals, but instead spin the story to imply CWD appeared spontaneously. The same agencies that

CWD Detected In Captive Deer Breeding Facility Near Medina

Animal Development

CWD Detected In Captive Deer Breeding Facility Near Medina

This was bound to happen as wildlife “management” increasingly copies the confinement methods of industrial agriculture. AUSTIN —(TAHC)— A two year-old white-tailed deer in a Medina County deer breeding facility has been confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease. This is the first case of CWD detected in captive white-tailed deer

circle_ranch_cats_feature

"Invasion Biology"

2.7 Million Creatures Killed Last Year in U.S.'s Secretive War on Animals

Publicly-funded wildlife eradications are a big surprise to many people. NOTE:orginially appeared on TheDodo.com Nearly 7,400 wild animals were slaughtered every single day on average across the U.S. last year — not by hunters or poachers, but by a government agency whose stated mission is “to resolve

circle-ranch-texas-grasslands-not-badlands

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands or Creating Desert Badlands?

For 60 years, this National Park Service land has been “protected” from cattle, unintentionally accelerating its desertification. Here is a typical Big Wildlife program being pursued at Big Bend National Park to “protect” degrading habitat. (ABOVE PDF can be viewed here -> ) I don’t doubt the sincerity or

Hunting Desert Bighorn Sheep at Circle Ranch, September 2014

Hunting Desert Bighorn Sheep at Circle Ranch, September 2014

In challenging conditions of heavy rain and fog, we successfully hunted this beautiful ram on September 17, 2014. The desert bighorn is the rarest big-game animal in North America. We estimate that there are an average of 100 free-ranging desert bighorn sheep on our ranch at any given time. This

Bacon Preservative Tested as Feral Hog Poison

"Invasion Biology"

Bacon Preservative Tested as Feral Hog Poison

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Tests Wild Pig Poison Dispensers at Kerr Wildlife ‘Management’ Area NOTE: Post Originally appeared in San Antonio Express News on June 21, 2014 NEW ORLEANS — A preservative used to cure bacon is being tested as poison for the nation’s estimated 5 million feral hogs.

The Feral Pig "Problem" Part V

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig "Problem" Part V

The Feral Pig Problem – Part V: Sources and Comments In addition to the specific links included in each installment, which I have not repeated, I have included a list of books below and remarked on what I found important about them. Across the board, they have informed my thinking on

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part IV

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part IV

Part I: Background Part II: A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People Part III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms Part IV: Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health * Meat Factory Pollution and Water Pollution * Comparative Wholesomeness * Free Range Pork Compared * Mad at Our Money: Economic Value of Free Range

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part III

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part III

Part I: Background Part II: A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People Part III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms * Animal Cruelty * Big Pig’s Version * The “Rest of the Story” from Forbes Magazine * Pig Factories are Filthy Part IV: Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health Part V: References

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part II

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Part II

Part I: Background Part II: A Brief History of Pigs, Pork and People * Free-Range Pigs in Texas * The Garbage Pig * Pig Prejudice * Big Food and the Garbage Pig Part III: The Growth of “Efficient” Factory Farms Part IV: Meat Factory Pollution and Public Health Part V: References and Comments Author’

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Introduction

"Invasion Biology"

The Feral Pig “Problem” - Introduction

Of the many wildlife problems we struggle with in Texas, feral pigs are one of the most difficult. This five-part series examines this pig “problem.” It asks some common sense questions, offers plain talk about the pig raising ethics, pork safety, and feral pig eradications and suggests solutions that in

Trans-Pecos Mule Deer Population Declines 40 Percent - Mule Deer Hunting Season is Lengthened

Trans-Pecos Mule Deer Population Declines 40 Percent - Mule Deer Hunting Season is Lengthened

Far-West Texas: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has extended the mule deer season through the last Sunday in January for those properties operating under Managed Land Deer Permits (MLDP). West Texas mule deer population trends remain alarming. According to the report posted above, the TPWD count “raw data” of

Cattleization of Wild Deer Poses Unknown Risks

Cattleization of Wild Deer Poses Unknown Risks

The Texas Wildlife Association is, by far, the leading advocate and source of private property solutions to preserve wildlife and habitat, in the State of Texas. TWA has long opposed privatization of deer. “TWA supports public ownership of wildlife resources . . . and opposes efforts that result in conversion of Texas wild

Circle Ranch - Spring Time

Young Elk and Ocotillo

It is springtime at Circle Ranch, and even though there has been no rain since October and none expected until July, desert plants are blooming, lambs and fawns are appearing and young elk are starting new antler growth. This beautiful, young, free-ranging bull is standing behind a Giant Dagger, surrounded

Texas Bighorn Society Funds Aerial Gunning of "Exotics" - Potentially Including Elk

Texas Bighorn Society Funds Aerial Gunning of "Exotics" - Potentially Including Elk

It is hard to believe that an organization committed to Fair Chase hunting, wide-scale habitat improvement and restoration of large game animal diversity would in any way associate itself with the eradication of elk, an indigenous game species. But that is the reality of the actions of the Texas Bighorn

circle_ranch_release_west_texas_feature

Big Bend Ranch Bighorn Releases: Science, Financial Responsibility, and Ethics

Christopher Gill to Editor of Big Bend Sentinel on Elk Removals by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Christopher Gill to Editor of Big Bend Sentinel on Elk Removals by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

I felt that several comments made by TPWD Executive Director, Carter Smith, defending elk removals, needed rebuttal.

An Aoudad, or Barbary Sheep, in West Texas

Aoudad at Two Section, August 2009.

This is an Aoudad, or Barbary Sheep. 900 of these animals have been shot at Big Bend Park, from helicopters, by members of Texas Parks and Wildlife