The Wilderness Ranger District of the Gila National Forest in New Mexico recently sought comment on a proposal to remove estray cattle from the Gila Wilderness using either lethal and/or non-lethal control measures.
The move came after the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) and others settled a lawsuit in July 2022, where USFS agreed it would give 75 days notice before initiating future helicopter sniper operations.
“Removal of unauthorized cattle is necessary to protect the habitat of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, including federally listed threatened and endangered species,” said Camille Howes, Gila National Forest supervisor, in a statement.
“The unauthorized cattle in the Gila Wilderness trample stream banks and springs, causing erosion and sedimentation. This proposal will help restore the wilderness character of the Gila Wilderness by removing non-native species and alleviating the damage caused by overgrazing.”
Under USFS’ proposal, an area closure would take place and aerial shootings would occur over two seven-day periods in the winter. Shooting would not occur near any bodies of water or springs, designated hiking trails, or known culturally sensitive areas. If a carcass is within or adjacent to one of these areas, USFS staff will remove the carcass. Otherwise, estray cattle that are lethally removed or euthanized would be left on site to decompose.
NMCGA, in an editorial to The Grant County Beat, said leaving carcasses is a “heinous misuse of beef.” NMCGA further noted in a previous operation conducted in February 2022, USFS employees removed carcasses in the Gila River at the insistence of the New Mexico Livestock Board.
In the editorial, NMCGA objected to the use of aerial shooting, stating it would be difficult to discern ear tags and brands through thick overgrowth and rough topography, along with recognizing culturally sensitive areas, waterbodies and trails “before swiftly aiming and producing an ethical kill shot.”
“NMCGA has worked with the Forest Service, area producers and the New Mexico Livestock Board in a good faith effort to devise several solutions to this issue,” said Loren Patterson, NMCGA president. “Aerial gunning is inhumane and should not be an option available to the Forest Service as a bypass to years of mismanagement.”
USFS contends estray cattle in the Gila Wilderness have been a problem since the 1970s, and in the nine contracts for their eradication, a total of 756 cattle were removed either alive or euthanized. USFS said only one cow was branded and the remainder had no identification markings.
A previous operation in February 2022 resulted in 65 head shot over a two-day process. NMCGA, New Mexico Federal Lands Council and two cattle companies filed suit to stop the operation. At the time, NMCGA reported producers in the area said USFS needed to make a better faith effort to gather the estray cattle.
“Instead, the Service has opted to shoot the cattle in compliance with a settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, who previously sued the USFS for allowing the cattle to harm the riparian areas in the Gila,” the association said at the time of the lawsuit.
NMCGA agreed that estray cattle need to be removed from the Gila Wilderness, but criticized the removal under the guise of protecting the habitat for endangered species, environmental impacts or overgrazing. Instead, NMCGA pointed out that 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the wilderness, which will draw visitors from around the globe to the area.
“NMCGA extends these questions to stakeholders and fellow New Mexicans: ‘How can a government agency continue to move forward with a plan that lacks public support, does not accept viable or more humane methods and does not guarantee the protection of branded livestock?’” NMCGA asked.
“Can we as residents expect more unfettered dominion from an agency that is tasked with stewardship of natural resources that impact communities across the state?”— Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
