Bonnie???blm???what's the real story???

[Britmick]

I think you may know more than most of us on this annual horse round up by the BLM, so why do they insist on doing it with so many people in opposition to it?
I saw on this morning's news that 22 horses have died so far in this years' round up, so how is that helping the future of the herds?

[BKsGS]

well...it's the g'ment so they're not helping..it should have been contracted to private ranchers who have a clue...

The reason of course is over population..the land can only support so many horses.. all "areas" undergo an "environmental impact study" they extrapolate how many (beavers, sheep, horses, antelope, etc. etc.) animals can be supported un supplemented per acre, or in the case of "0" vegetation like NV how many acres to support 1 animal.. (Colorado is 50 acres to graze 1 cow un supplemented)...they then do some more studies to burn as many tax dollars as possible...then they decide to, move, eradicate, drive off a cliff, whatever may be available...to bring the # down to "manageable" levels..

Or if your the BLM and you are WAY short on budget and you may have to give up a helicopter or truck or employee..then you make your district as easy and CHEAP to manage as possible so you can devote budget to buying and hiring..

As with all things Mick in the U.S. ... follow the Money..

BTW. as an aside...how many of you knew..if you have a disagreement with your local BLM or Forest Service office..and you sue them...THAT district is solely responsible for their defense and payment of any levies..If you were to sue the "Southern NV Ranger District" and they lost any settlement will come out of their alloted budget...which will cut their OT, vehicle purchases, fuel and maintenance...etc etc..they will normally want to settle IF you have a good case!!!

[skidmark]

Yep, Bill has it right. It is sustainability.

[Britmick]

So letting nature dictate the horse population, the BLM have the right to kill horses!?!

Seems fucking weird to me, but maybe those nasty horses are eating the tortoises grass, & also they get to spend somewhere in the region of $2 million on the little fuckers, then the t's win!

[Dirtbag]

Welcome to American Govt Thinking...

[skidmark]

Not really. If you look at how they manage deer, fox, bird, wolves, etc. you'll see that they NEED to manage these horse herds also due to ever encroaching civilization and the loss of native habitat. Without the intervention the herds would overpopulate and die from malnutrition and disease.

[Dirtbag]

Originally Posted by skidmark

Not really. If you look at how they manage deer, fox, bird, wolves, etc. you'll see that they NEED to manage these horse herds also due to ever encroaching civilization and the loss of native habitat. Without the intervention the herds would overpopulate and die from malnutrition and disease.

Hmmmmmmm..... interesting point.

[erik™]

the horses need a strong natural preditor!

[BKsGS]

Originally Posted by erik™

the horses need a strong natural preditor!

MMM...something sabre toothed....like...

[Britmick]

Originally Posted by erik™

the horses need a strong natural preditor!

They have one, the BLM!!!!
(dunno abot them being "natural" tho')