Court says New Mexico can hunt wild cows from the air
Robert Besser
26 Feb 2023, 20:06 GMT+10
- A federal judge has ruled that the US Forest Service can carry out a plan to shoot dozens of wild cattle from helicopters in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness
- The judge refused a request by ranchers for an emergency order to stop the cull
- The Forest Service, which has not responded to a request for comment, announced the hunt last week, stressing that wild cows were damaging habitats and menacing hikers
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: A federal judge has ruled that the US Forest Service can carry out a plan to shoot dozens of wild cattle from helicopters in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness, after refusing a request by ranchers for an emergency order to stop the cull.
During a hearing in Albuquerque held this week, cattle ranchers and local business owners told US District Judge James Browning that the four-day hunt of some 150 stray or unbranded cows would violate federal laws and Forest Service regulations and could kill the ranchers’ cattle.
Representing the ranchers, lawyer Jessica Blome said that they are “deeply disappointed that the court green lit” the plan.
The Forest Service, which has not responded to a request for comment, announced the hunt last week, stressing that wild cows were damaging habitats and menacing hikers.
Representing the Forest Service, US Department of Justice attorney Andrew Smith, argued that stopping the cull would allow wild cow populations to “rebound, and last year’s efforts would be wasted.”
While hunting feral hogs and predators, such as coyotes, from the air is a common practice in the US, culling cattle from helicopters have been met with protests.
“Aerial shooting puts at risk privately owned cattle that may have strayed through broken fences or to find water,” said the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, which had filed a lawsuit alongside other ranching, farming and business interests.
Ranchers also claim that helicopter hunting is inefficient and inhumane, causing cattle to run and forcing airborne hunters to shoot cattle with multiple rounds.
The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association sued the Forest Service over its previous cull, resulting in an out-of-court settlement.
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Court says New Mexico can hunt wild cows from the air
Robert Besser
26 Feb 2023, 20:06 GMT+10
- A federal judge has ruled that the US Forest Service can carry out a plan to shoot dozens of wild cattle from helicopters in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness
- The judge refused a request by ranchers for an emergency order to stop the cull
- The Forest Service, which has not responded to a request for comment, announced the hunt last week, stressing that wild cows were damaging habitats and menacing hikers
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: A federal judge has ruled that the US Forest Service can carry out a plan to shoot dozens of wild cattle from helicopters in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness, after refusing a request by ranchers for an emergency order to stop the cull.
During a hearing in Albuquerque held this week, cattle ranchers and local business owners told US District Judge James Browning that the four-day hunt of some 150 stray or unbranded cows would violate federal laws and Forest Service regulations and could kill the ranchers’ cattle.
Representing the ranchers, lawyer Jessica Blome said that they are “deeply disappointed that the court green lit” the plan.
The Forest Service, which has not responded to a request for comment, announced the hunt last week, stressing that wild cows were damaging habitats and menacing hikers.
Representing the Forest Service, US Department of Justice attorney Andrew Smith, argued that stopping the cull would allow wild cow populations to “rebound, and last year’s efforts would be wasted.”
While hunting feral hogs and predators, such as coyotes, from the air is a common practice in the US, culling cattle from helicopters have been met with protests.
“Aerial shooting puts at risk privately owned cattle that may have strayed through broken fences or to find water,” said the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, which had filed a lawsuit alongside other ranching, farming and business interests.
Ranchers also claim that helicopter hunting is inefficient and inhumane, causing cattle to run and forcing airborne hunters to shoot cattle with multiple rounds.
The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association sued the Forest Service over its previous cull, resulting in an out-of-court settlement.
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