Let’s Go Hunt 105 – Horses: They’re Pets, They’re Food, They’re Also Pet Food

Coming back to you with for the 105th episode of weaponized chromosomal aberrations: 

Intro: Dave or Sam

Vince, new and improved 

Dave, Christmas concert survivor  

Mike, who’s doing the best he can… but should try harder

Sam, on my way to drill you mom’s well and hookup her septic 

On Target: 

Feral horse nonsense in the US. Let us eat the damn ponies already.

Other verboten species!

 
Key Topics Covered:
 

Current Legal Status:

Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971: Thanks, Nixon.
Justifications for the Act:

1. Cultural and Historical Significance:
   • Wild horses were seen as symbols of the “pioneer spirit” and integral to American heritage.
   • Advocates like Velma Johnston (“Wild Horse Annie”) exposed brutal practices used to capture and kill wild horses, sparking public outcry.
2. Environmental and Ecological Concerns:
   • The Act aimed to manage wild horse populations sustainably alongside other public land uses like grazing and wildlife conservation.
3. Moral and Ethical Considerations:
   • Public outrage over inhumane treatment, including chasing horses with vehicles and slaughtering them for pet food, led to calls for humane protection.
4. Public Support:
   • Widespread citizen petitions and letters to Congress created a groundswell of support for protecting wild horses.

Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson (D-WA) sponsored the bill, emphasizing the need to preserve these animals as part of America’s natural and cultural heritage.

As a conservation-minded legislator, Senator Jackson believed that federal action was needed to address the increasing threats to wild horse populations. He argued that their disappearance would be a loss to the nation’s cultural and natural heritage. Jackson also emphasized that public lands needed to be managed in a balanced way, and protecting wild horses was a key part of that mission.

 
1. Feral Horse Populations in the U.S.

• Where They Are: Most wild horses live on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, with Nevada hosting nearly half of the total population.
• Current Numbers: Approximately 86,000 wild horses and burros roam BLM-managed lands, far exceeding the Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 27,000.
• Historical Background: Descended from domesticated horses brought by European settlers, some populations retain genetics from Spanish horses.

2. The Overpopulation Problem

• Rapid Growth: Wild horse populations can double every 4–5 years due to high reproduction rates.
• Ecological Strain: Overgrazing, soil degradation, and competition with native species like pronghorns and sage grouse.
• Resource Conflicts: Competition with livestock for forage and water resources on public rangelands.
• Lack of Natural Predators: Predators like mountain lions occasionally prey on wild horses, but not enough to control their numbers.

3. Financial Costs of Current Management

• Annual Expenses: The BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program costs taxpayers approximately $157.8 million annually (FY 2023).
• Key Spending Areas:
  • $50 million annually for off-range holding facilities housing removed horses.
  • $53.2 million spent since 2006 on helicopter roundups and bait-trapping operations.
• The Bottom Line: Current methods are unsustainable, both financially and ecologically.

4. Could Hunting Be a Solution?

• Revenue Potential:
  • Tags priced similarly to elk in Nevada ($120–$150 for residents, $1,200–$1,500 for non-residents) could generate $450,000–$7.5 million annually.
  • Hunting-related tourism and outfitting could contribute additional millions to local economies.
• Population Management:
  • With around 35,000 wild horses in Nevada, hunting could significantly reduce overpopulation and eliminate the need for costly roundups.
• Cost Savings:
  • Reduced reliance on off-range holding facilities could save tens of millions annually.
  • Less funding needed for roundups and fertility control programs.
• Ecological Benefits:
  • Alleviates grazing pressure on rangelands.
  • Restores balance to ecosystems shared with native species and livestock.

5. The Ethical and Cultural Debate

• Iconic Status: Wild horses symbolize freedom and the pioneering spirit of the West, making hunting a highly sensitive topic.
• Non-Lethal Alternatives: Fertility control and adoption programs exist but have limitations in scalability and cost.

Wrap up:

Legislation intended to promote conservation, such as the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, often achieves its initial goals but can lead to unintended consequences when its rigid application doesn’t account for changing circumstances. While the Act successfully protected wild horses from exploitation and inhumane treatment, its lack of provisions for sustainable population control has resulted in overpopulation, habitat degradation, and increased competition with other wildlife and livestock. The law’s emphasis on protection without flexibility has created a situation where non-lethal management methods, like fertility control, are needed but aren’t always sufficient to prevent long-term ecological damage. This highlights the challenge of balancing immediate conservation goals with the need for adaptive, ongoing management that can address evolving environmental and population dynamics.