US forest issues kill order for feral cows in New Mexico

I'm there, why issue permits at all, if they are feral they are automatically not native game animals, therefore open season year round. Would be just like pigs in TX, open season year round at this point I believe not even needing a hunting license.

Problem solved never worry about cows in the area again. Sounds like a bunch of Donkeys working on a problem that should not even exist.
That's what the government is good for- Solving problems that don't yet exist and may never exist. If only they could get together and solve problems that do exist.
 
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Are feral cows really a game animal? I can't find anything about them being protected but I may not be looking in the right place. If they aren't the state and .gov have no say over who or when they are shot. And I really can't believe that people are whining over the "cows are destroying turkey habitat." It's called nature and it eventually balances itself out.
 
Ok so this might be a stupid question. If the people now know that the FS is going to do this why don't they go in there and harvest the cows now before the forest servicew starts their slaughter and utilize the meat. If they have been deemed feral they should be fair game to anyone just like coyotes, right?
Feral cattle in NM become property of the NM Livestock Board. You will be charged with cattle rustling if caught with one.
 
So when cattle extend the AUM lease stay on forest ground are they considered FERAL if they are not rounded up by a certain date? This problem is present in Wyoming every year and nothing is ever done about it. If an animal is said to be FERAL may it be considered property of the state of Wyoming to be hunted. Lots of questions.
 
Ok so this might be a stupid question. If the people now know that the FS is going to do this why don't they go in there and harvest the cows now before the forest servicew starts their slaughter and utilize the meat. If they have been deemed feral they should be fair game to anyone just like coyotes, right?
You have to understand the Forest Service. They are FEDERAL and can make up laws while on the spot. Also the Game Warden (Animal Police) have more power than City, County, State Police. If it is not written in the Hunting Regulations that the Cows are "Feral" and there is a specific Season or Open Season or specifically stating a "Feral Cow" can be shot - you can't just go out and shoot it.
We have to live by the rules the "Bureaucrats" make up even though they have no knowledge, qualifications, or common sense on the rules they make!
 
Well I've actually spent a lot of time where the feral cattle are. There have been wild cattle in that area since cattle were put in the Gila. Forest service has hired to cowboys(dam good ones too) over the years to gather the cattle, but it's so ruff and far they would get a few head out, about kill some horses trying, never could really make a difference in #'s.

So it's nOt the number of cows as much as where they are. Most of the cattle are not of the river, but some are. Most of the cattle are about 15-17 miles in the wilderness in extremely ruff country. The pocket where they are at has very little water and the feral cattle were overgrazing some of the area around the water. I can't say they were hurting much but matter of opinion.

Funny how NM cattle growers gets up in arms when the cattle have been there forever and they did nothing. In NM all feral livestock belongs to the NM livestock board, of course they did nothing over the years. There isn't a leasee in the area, the permits were eliminating many years ago. A few cattle have been harvested over the years by some people salty enough to do it but technically killed illegally.

Not backing the government on this because it could have been handled much better. The population is 70% bulls and all they needs to do was shoot the cows. They could have had people to pack out the the meat that was in the easier places to get to. Funny the there 2 packs of wolves in that area now where they never stay much until cattle were shot.
 
The government doesn't do anything thats good for the people. The government only does what is good for government. Unless it gets votes, increases its power, promotes a socialist agenda, takes away someone's rights, or makes people more dependent upon government you'll be hard pressed to get the government to do it.
 
What about the wild (feral) horses? People get all bent over that. Don't know if the area in question has a horse population but why wouldnt the same logic apply?
Great question, We have a large herd of wild horses here where I live, Actually just west of here. They have been talking of killing them off. I say sell some permits and go get yourself some "Arbys Horsey Sauce" and have a BBQ! :D
 
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