Videos

A collection of videos we've shot ourselves and collected over the years.

"Invasion Biology"

The Rules that Govern Life on Earth - with Sean B Carroll

The author of ‘The Serengheti Rules’ has shown that in order to be healthy, grasslands need (1) keystone grazers, (2) many prey species and (3) many predators. In this 50-minute video he explains these ideas at the home of the British Royal Academy.   NOTE: this post was originally published to

Bighorn

Navajo Nation Game Surveys

The Navajo Nation contains some of the most beautiful high-desert mountain country in the American Southwest.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 12, 2018.

Bighorn

New Movie About Texas Wildlife

“”Deep in the Heart” is billed as Texas’ first wildlife movie. This trailer has great photography, scoring and narration.    DEEP IN THE HEART | OFFICIAL TRAILER from Fin & Fur Films on Vimeo.

"Invasion Biology"

Life of Elk

Elk are Texas natives. Largely wiped out by 1900, they are poised to recover in far-West Texas, but need the same protection as other native game species.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 6, 2018.

Bio-Diversity

Sandhill Cranes Talking Near Cascade Idaho

Sandhill Cranes have been around for between 2.8 and 10-million years: That makes them one of the oldest living birds. They migrate thousands of miles from northern summer breeding grounds. Some have made it as far as Europe and even China. This group of Sandhill Cranes were vocalizing in

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Bison at the American Prairie Reserve

Buffalo were the keystone grazing animals of the American Great Plains. At the American Prairie Reserve in Northeastern Montana, the plan is to recreate the world’s largest bison herd.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 23, 2018

Bio-Diversity

Church-Affiliated Ranch Balances Agriculture and Conservation in Central Florida

Deseret Cattle and Citrus, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been going strong for 65 years. This commercial farming and ranching operation is situated on about 295,000 acres in parts of three Florida counties between Orlando and Melbourne.

Firearms

The World's Most Beautiful Shotguns

Purdeys may not be the most reliable shotguns built, but they are hands-down the most beautiful – and expensive.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 16, 2018.

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"

The Sounds of Elk

Most Texas elk hunters must draw permits in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico etc., pay many thousands of dollars and travel out of state for a chance to hunt free-ranging trophy elk. Yet, elk are native and present in far-West Texas. It should be possible for Texans to hunt wild elk

"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

"Invasion Biology"

The Life and Legend of America's Most Famous Wild Horse

Picasso is a nearly 30-year-old pinto who still roams free in the Sand Wash Basin in northwestern Colorado.

Animal Growth

Tribute to Mule Deer

A wonderful video from the Mule Deer Foundation.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 11, 2018

"Invasion Biology"

Restoration of Beaver in Arizona's San Pedro River

Beavers are a keystone species in desert ecosystems. See how beaver restoration is healing a degraded Arizona river and its Mexican tributaries.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 28, 2018

Bio-Diversity

Secrets of Marmot Hibernation

A family of marmots prepares for their upcoming hibernation in a den 6 – 20 feet underground. Fourteen species of this animal are found across the world.   At Pitchstone Waters we have the Hoary Marmot. It can weigh 11-pounds and live 15-years. The animals emerge from their dens in April and

"Invasion Biology"

Elk Restoration

This video on the restoration of elk in Kentucky and other Eastern states begins, “There is perhaps no higher calling for a wildlife conservation organization than restoring extirpated wildlife species back to their historic ranges.” How true, except in Texas, where our state game department with the support or acquiescence

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Desert Grassland Restoration #2

Using a gulley to create a riparian meadow in the desert.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 31, 2017      To see another example of this practice, click here.

Animal Development

Allan Savory: Planned Cattle Grazing Where the Rubber Hits the Road

In this 45-minute video, the Dean of holistic range science – Allan Savory – discusses on-the-ground application of holistic planned grazing. West Texas and New Mexico ranchers will find many helpful insights, observations and suggestions in this wide-ranging discussion of range and wildlife practices.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this

Bio-Diversity

Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas

Subsoil contour plowing is an excellent way to increase water absorption in the desert grasslands of far-West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The effectiveness of the practice is shown in these before-and-after comparisons.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 9, 2017.

Bio-Diversity

Herd Impact

Husband and wife ranchers Emry Birdwell and Deborah Clark have been going against the grain of North Texas ranching for decades – hiding their ability to raise many, many more cattle per acre than any of their neighbors. They are a fiery couple, prone to snips as they get their field

Conservation

Chihuahuas and Keyline

“Chichuahuas and Keyline” explains Chocolate the Keyline Dog’s take on contour subsoil plowing.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 13, 2017.

Conservation

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Another example of a small dam that spills water from an eroded gulley, to reduce road washing and to irrigate a few acres of grassland at Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 2, 2017

Conservation

ORVIS - How to Spot Trout in Deep Water

Spotting fish in deeper water is a great skill for an angler to have, and the key is to teach your eyes what to look for. Rarely will you see an actual fish shape. Instead, it’s about searching for an out-of-place “smudge” that seems as if it doesn’t

Conservation

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration: #7 Best Equipment

When we divert rainstorm runoff from eroding gulleys to restore desertifying canyons and grasslands, what are the best equipment & practices? Our conclusions might surprise you.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 4th, 2017

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #9: Harvesting Water in Steep Canyons

Restoring the Southwest’s desert grasslands takes water. Most ranches treat eroding gulleys and roads – and their stormwater runoffs – as liabilities. In fact these are potential water assets on every ranch. This little diversion dam harvests water from a steep desert canyon and returns it to water-starved meadows, restoring upstream