Preservation of America's Wildlife

Tag: writing

  • Baiting of Wildlife — Hunter’s Rancher’s Exploitation at its Worst — Ethics? Abuse? Psychotic Behavior’s?

    Research / Written
    by
    John Cox, M.A. C/M

    Yes, in the Western US, ranchers and government agencies sometimes use specific baiting techniques, including (pigs cattle) or other meat or fruit baits, to lure and then trap, poison (historically), or shoot predators (historically) like wolves, coyotes, and lions, though methods are evolving towards non-lethal deterrence like livestock guardian animals or herding strategies to protect cattle from predation. 

    We can take it a step further, and observe the situation in Northern California (as one of the most current example’s of corrupti0on and exploitation via misinformation), to be very exploitative.  We find Baiting Wolves, for example (less than 70 wolves in the entire state of California) due to the supposed over-population of Wolves there today.  Problem is, we see them attracting Wolves, with several types of Bait, dead cows, dead pigs, et al.  The circumstance attracts Wolves to the Ranch sites, no doubt.  The ranchers then place their sickly – no sale cattle onto isolated parts of the range, or dead cows, and soon the attracted Wolves from the other Bait, roams around, nipples on the dead cows or calves, and blamed for the Kills.  Did you know the Ranchers obtain full value of a healthy Cow, subsidies (sometimes up to $10,000) when they can blame a Wolf?

    One of the problems with this situation remains, and we see it in Northern California, among other States and areas, ongoing.  Predators’, a common knowledge circumstance, is the fact they recall, via their survival skill-sets, “location and “what” was found in any given area.  This means they will go back to the area they found survival sustenance.  The ranchers’ know this, and of course, the corrupted ranchers take advantage of the Predator Reimbursement Programs, quite often. 

    Here are several situations that can develop into Predators, either returning, or new Predators passing through the area.  Right now this conversation is about Wolves.  But we also acknowledge Cougar, Bear, and other Predators doing similar activity.  So the ranchers, have nothing, or no one else to really blame for these problems – and lack of ingenuity, or inattentive to their herd when they had just, within a year to 4 years, set out bait for any situations below, actually created their own mess they see themselves experiencing today – If they are telling the public the truth? We find it rather not so ironic, they are not being truthful at all.

    How Cattle/Meat is Used for Control:

    • Baiting Traps/Poison (Historical/Limited): In the past (and sometimes still today, though less common due to regulations), hunters or government agents would place poisoned or baited carcasses (like cattle or deer) to attract and kill predators.
    • Attracting for Shooting: A carcass can serve as a strong attractant, drawing predators to a specific location where sharpshooters can then eliminate them, especially for problem animals. 

    Modern Approaches & Conflicts:

    • Predator Control Programs: Agencies like USDA APHIS Wildlife Services manage predator conflicts, sometimes using lethal removal, which sparks debate.
    • Non-Lethal Deterrents: Many ranchers now focus on methods like using guardian dogs, llamas, donkeys, or training cattle to form defensive groups to reduce livestock loss without killing predators.
    • Feral Cattle Issues: Sometimes, feral (unowned) cattle themselves become targets for removal, often through aerial shooting, which is separate from predator control but involves shooting cattle in the West. 
    • Often ranchers will retrieve the dead cattle, bait predators to their range / grazing pasture, and use as bait – We are not sure how often this happens, but we know, from discussions with others, it does happen.

    In essence, while using livestock as bait for predators isn’t the only method, it’s a known part of the history and ongoing, often controversial, predator management efforts in the Western U.S. . . .  We find the practice simply opens the door to misinformation, at times, about Wolves, Cougar, Bear, and other predators.

    baiting techniques, including

    (like cattle) or meat baits, to lure and then trap, poison (historically), or shoot predators like wolves, coyotes, and lions, though methods are evolving towards non-lethal deterrence like livestock guardian animals or herding strategies to protect cattle from predation. 

    How Cattle/Meat is Used for Control:

    • Baiting Traps/Poison (Historical/Limited): In the past (and sometimes still today, though less common due to regulations), hunters or government agents would place poisoned or baited carcasses (like cattle or deer) to attract and kill predators.
    • Attracting for Shooting: A carcass can serve as a strong attractant, drawing predators to a specific location where sharpshooters can then eliminate them, especially for problem animals. 

    Modern Approaches & Conflicts:

    • Predator Control Programs: Agencies like USDA APHIS Wildlife Services manage predator conflicts, sometimes using lethal removal, which sparks debate.
    • Non-Lethal Deterrents: Many ranchers now focus on methods like using guardian dogs, llamas, donkeys, or training cattle to form defensive groups to reduce livestock loss without killing predators.
    • Feral Cattle Issues: Sometimes, feral (unowned) cattle themselves become targets for removal, often through aerial shooting, which is separate from predator control but involves shooting cattle in the West. 

    In essence, while using livestock as bait for predators isn’t the only method, it’s a known part of the history and ongoing, often controversial, predator management efforts in the Western U.S.”  —  John Cox, M.A. C/M

  • Government Grazing Permit Programs on Public Lands – Corruption – Destruction – and Lies

    By John Cox, M.A. C/M

    I got out of my truck, jumped across the ditch and through the fence, and enjoyed the smell of good dirt, good sweet-grass, mixed. I looked over the flat and seen our 5 Bands of Wild Horses saved from bad supposed-rescues, and KB’s, and from the Welfare Ranchers wanting to kill them all, based on nothing more than their lie after lie. . . We, as the taxpayers of this land pay Ten-Fold for their lies. A little fog in the air, so it was misty. I had to wipe the moisture off my face with my handkerchief, occasionally, to keep it dry.

    A small band near the fence, 2 mares, 2 strong-boned yearlings’, and a 2-year-old stallion about ready to leave his family band, glanced up, then back to grazing the grass. Further down the line, 4 more family bands, most a little larger than the band I stood next to, grazed their morning meal.

    The environment peaceful. I watched two Wolves come out of the treeline across the pasture land. They passed through the horses, without a glimpse toward them. As fast as they appeared, they disappeared, into the treeline on other side of the pasture.

    The horses, in the Band’s we have, have never had problems with Wolves. The private lands ranches we have the horses graze upon, have never had any problems with the Wolves; but yet, all of them I know, actually tend to their cattle, often, inclusive of watching the horses also. They never have any shortage of grass on their land. . . They do not receive subsidies, being private, so they work hard to keep their pasture lands healthy, and the wildlife diverse. In my mind, attending to the herds, moderate and not over-populated, whether horses or cattle, and things go well.

    Any problems approached quickly, and on the spot. Sick cattle are tended to immediately, on the spot, and Vets called if and when needed. It is called, or referred to as, “Taking Care of their Business.” Sometimes difficult, and the weather not always good, but they are there. Where they and I disagree on somethings, other things we agree upon. By the way, the owners of the lands we graze our Bands of Horses upon, are all Vietnam Vets, I knew there, or met through others here. They, as I, respect the Western Ways, the Wild Horses and Wildlife out here, as we were all raised in the West.

    Often when I pull-up, I also see deer, and even Elk, at times, grazing with the horses. And, standing around the two ponds not far from where I stood this day. The ponds have little to no damage, from the horses. I have seen this throughout the years.

    I could smell the moist dirt. After dealing with it all, one achieves the sense of smell, to equate to the actual pH of the dirt. Just something a person picks-up after a while. Just to make a comment on a little science, good pasture soil has a balance of physical, chemical, and biological components: a favorable structure for root growth; as well, a sufficient supply of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; also, a healthy population of soil organisms and organic matter. Myself and others also check for the obvious characteristics of good drainage, adequate water-holding capacity, sufficient depth, and a balanced pH of about 5.5 – 6.5 .

    I use to measure it, out of courtesy for the ranchers we place our Horse Bands upon, but over the years, very consistent. I can see it quite well, when a difference develops. So, myself and others, those of us who rescue horses and bring them to these ranches, observe the difference between what we see on those who depend on their own lands and pastures for their income, and those who receive subsidies from government agencies, as they overpopulate and destroy Our Public Lands. All of us here, who rescue Horses and the Ranchers, all agree upon this statement.

    We also wonder about so much of the Wolf-Kills on Public Lands that have Grazing Permit Programs. We wonder about the kill-off the Welfare Ranchers state as necessary (or just gun-happy), as to whether true or not, of their facts: A single wolf pack in the Sierra Valley was responsible for at least 87 livestock deaths (70 confirmed) between September and October 2025 — So they say . . .

    What these ranchers are stating, is that the Beyem Seyo Pack of Wolves, that contained two adults and six pups – 4 of which were killed – actually, the breeding pair and two juveniles. The bones from two more juveniles were found, as well, not so long ago . . . And supposedly 3 Wolves left from this pack. AND THIS IS THE TRUE ACTS, WE HEAR. . .

    So, as taxpayers, and frankly I do not give a tinker’s damn if cattle were supposedly killed on private land or Public Lands (i.e. Our Lands), 8 (no zeros, but eight Wolves) 87 cattle. 70 Supposedly Confirmed?

    From experienced Wolf Researchers, we find A wolf needs an average of 5 to 7 pounds of meat per day to survive and maintain health, but their diet is a “feast or famine” cycle, so they can also go days or weeks without eating after consuming up to 20 pounds in a single meal. While they can survive on less, 2.5 to 3.7 pounds daily, 5 to 7 pounds is needed for successful reproduction.

    Something is wrong here, somehow or somewhere! A typical beef cow is between 1,000 and 1,800 pounds, but the average is around 1,400 pounds. Something smells like bullshit here! We are expected to believe Wolves ate (first 8 Wolves, then 4 Wolves, keep this in mind) killed or blamed (????) For 87 Cattle Dead, 70 of which supposedly Confirmed – and yet, they did not make the Confirmation Evidence Public – WE ALL WANT TO SEE IT! TAXPAYER’S WANT TRUTH. THIS IS 87,000 LBS OF BEEF KILLED – AND EVEN AT THE REALM OF WOLVES STUFFING THEMSELVES, EVEN GRIZZ DO NOT EAT THAT AMOUNT – AND WOLVES ARE A HELL OF A LOT SMALLER THAN GRIZZLY BEARS –

    NOW IS ANYONE SMELLING BULLSHIT HERE? And the facts are just the facts that cannot be denied, and these Welfare Ranchers are in direct CONFLICT WITH THE TRUTH = FACT! It is what we refer to as Bullshit at the most greedy level we have, within our human population, because things killed unnecessarily to cover up their own corruption $$$. — John Cox, A Taxpayer tired of our tax-paid money — and our Wildlife — being taken advantage of by government Grazing Permit Programs