Wolves in Arizona

Comment #8

cowgirlpoet — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:08:05 GMT

Good points to think about, Jack. Thanks.

Comment #7

Rip Snorter — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:02:36 GMT

When watering systems are improved on public lands the cost is a public expense, not an expense of the person who uses the water for his livestock. The reasons for improving the watering systems involved private livestock. Wildlife did pretty well without those improvements for an awfully long time before cows came along and needed watering. Part of the reason you are making your living in selling those private tracts that used to be working agricultural operations involves th... [ More ]

Comment #6

cowgirlpoet — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:21:54 GMT

Of course, ranches are sold not on a per acre basis, but on a per animal per month (aum) basis. The current cost is about $2500 to $300 per aum. So if a ranch with just a few deeded acres is sold, the price is still very high because of the public grazing leases. Because of development, very few ranchers are willing to hold on to private land because of the value it has on the market. The Nature Conservancy is making offers for the development rights of some of it, which may help the r... [ More ]

Comment #5

cowgirlpoet — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:01:21 GMT

mymonie; You got it. I probably love animals more than most, and even have sympathy for the wolves, but this seems like a silly project, dreamed up by people who don't have a practical knowledge of what they are dealing with.

Comment #4

cowgirlpoet — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:00:49 GMT

Comment #3

Rip Snorter — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 18:43:29 GMT

Ranchers who own their own land are having to compete in the auction barn with public-lease ranchers who pay a pittance for grazing leases, don't have to pay taxes on the land they graze and get a lot of help with maintenance of watering systems, fences, etc. Private ranchers have none of these advantages, and suffer under the further burden of having to bear the cost of animal depredations on their livestock themselves, plus having public owned elk and deer eating their grass,... [ More ]

Comment #2

Rip Snorter — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 18:33:07 GMT

But if the land is public land where a rancher merely holds a grazing lease part of the price of doing business is putting up with animal depredations resulting from public decisions concerning the use of public land. Fact is, as you're certainly aware, ranchers on public land currently don't have to bear that cost. They submit their loss claims and the price of the dead livestock is reimbursed at taxpayer expense. But the problem seems to me to be one about the ch... [ More ]

Comment #1

mymonie — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 18:21:09 GMT

I understand your feelings on this. The save all animals groups don't care if a rancher is put out of business as long as the fury animals have their way. Its ashame that rural citizens don't have a say so about what affects their lively hoods. Well, I stop here, could go on for awhile about how little freedoms and such are being taken away by animal do-gooders.

Original Blog Entry: Wolves in Arizona

cowgirlpoet — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 17:49:06 GMT