The U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) notified the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) it would shoot estray cattle in the Gila National Forest via helicopter flyover Feb. 8-10.
Despite efforts by Rail Lazy H to remove the estray cattle, only 20 head were removed, and the remaining moved to rugged terrain. NMCGA said it “adamantly opposes the mass shooting of estray cattle in contradiction to New Mexico’s livestock code” and has concerns USFWS will not be able to discern branded and unbranded livestock.
In a letter to USFWS in 2021, NMCGA and their attorney, Karen Budd-Falen of Budd-Falen Law Offices, stated there is no federal statute or regulation allowing USFWS to shoot estray cattle. NMCGA said with estray numbers not known, “The current USFWS plan with its lack of public notice or input leaves no room for agent accountability from New Mexico’s stakeholders or citizens.”
“The estray cattle situation in the Gila is a result of many years of mismanagement by (USFWS),” said Loren Patterson, NMCGA president. “NMCGA members understand that estray cattle are not good for the multiuse doctrine embraced by our federally administered lands.”
