Comments Due November 8, 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking public input for the revision of its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) ("the Plan") that will set policy in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Complex for the next 15 years. The plan calls for total elimination of the wild horse and burro populations living in the refuge, which are estimated to be 800 horses and 90 burros.
Mustangs and burros have called these lands home for centuries, but the USFWS holds the outdated and unscientific position that these animals are non-native species that need to be eliminated. Meanwhile the agency operates Sheldon more like a game preserve than a refuge, and eliminating wild horses and burros will allow the USFWS to increase big game species, such as Pronghorn and Bighorn sheep, for hunters to shoot.
Unfortunately, because the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act protects only mustangs and burros residing on BLM and U.S. Forest Service lands, wild horses are out of luck when it comes to federal protection on Sheldon refuge lands.
In previous requests for comments, the FWS received more input about wild horses and burros than on any other management aspect of the refuge. But instead of seeking an alternative that would allow for the maintenance of wild horses on the refuge (similar to the way the National Park Service manages several wild horse herds), Sheldon has made removal of the wild horses and burros the top priority of its new management strategy. Not surprisingly, the plan is supported by pro-hunting organizations.
This public comment period is the time to let the USFWS know that the public demands that this Refuge protect its culturally and historically significant wild horse and burro herds and manages them according to science, not special hunting interests. Please take easy action below to personalize and send your letter. When you click send, your suggestions will be faxed to the USFWS.
If you prefer, you can submit your comments, which must be received no later than November 8, 2011, via the USFWS online form, facsimile or U.S. postal mail to:
Use click here to use USFSW online form to provide comments
-or-
Address written comments and questions to:
John Kasbohm, Project Leader
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 111
Lakeview, OR 97630
-or-
Fax: (541) 947-4414
Additional Background
The planning process for the long-term management of the Refuge began in 2007. Once finalized and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Regional Director in Portland, Oregon, the CCP/EIS will stay in effect for the next 15 years. The previous such plan was completed in 1980 -- 31 years ago, although a few "step-down" modifications to it were issued in the interim, including the 2008 Feral Horse and Burro Management Plan. USFWS is a sister-agency to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the Department of the Interior (DOI).
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 575,000 acres in a remote area of northwestern Nevada (with a tiny finger of land poking into Oregon). It is surrounded by public lands managed by the BLM. With an average elevation close to 6,000 feet, Sheldon consists of sagebrush-steppe habitat within the Great Basin.
No Right to Roam
The Plan sets the stage to disqualify the 890 wild equids (800 horses and 90 burros, equating to approximately 646 acres per equid) from eligibility to live in the Sheldon NWR. First, it labels them "feral" per the definition found in the Refuge Manual:
"Feral horses and burros are defined as non-indigenous, unbranded, unclaimed descendants of domestic horses and burros which roam free on certain refuge lands in the western United States (7 RM 6.5)" (pdf-p 146).
In declaring them "feral," Sheldon denies their status as "wildlife" and thus, their right to exist in the Refuge or even to be considered as subjects of observation and photography by visitors. The Plan establishes the concept that when an "additional purpose is acquired" that is deemed to conflict or not to be "consistent" with the original purpose of the Refuge, the original purpose trumps the acquired one (pdf-p 29). Managing the wild equids is categorized as an acquired purpose, one that is declared to be in conflict with the Refuge's original mission.
This Refuge Is Not a Sanctuary
The Plan boasts that "Sheldon Refuge is managed to provide a quality big-game hunting experience" (pdf-p 206) and that it "has a reputation for producing exceptional trophies ..." (p 207). The September 2011 Planning Update declares that "recreational hunting is a priority wildlife-dependent public use of the Refuge." Sheldon coordinates seasons and limits for hunting and fishing with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).
Do not let the word "refuge" mislead you. Sheldon is no wildlife sanctuary. For the animals, the Refuge functions as a game preserve. Hunting is a significant, and profitable via sale of hunting premits, sport activity that takes place there. Here is a list of the Sheldon species currently authorized for hunting:
► Pronghorn
► California bighorn sheep
► Mule deer
► Chukar (partridge) -- non-native, but a favorite with hunters
► California quail -- also a non-native favorite with hunters
► Greater sage-grouse
► Geese
► Ducks
► Coots (aquatic birds)
And in response to requests, upon completion of studies, the following species are to be added hunting list:
► Coyotes
► Bobcats, and
► Mountain lions
Nevada's Department of Wildlife (NDOW)
Big-game hunting appears to be thriving at Sheldon. NDOW's emphasis appears to be on managing the herds of big game species to provide abundant trophy-animals, with good Boone & Crockett scores, for hunters to easily "harvest." NDOW also eradicates predator species to protect bighorn sheep and other trophy species. This year alone 106 coyotes have been killed by NDOW via aerial gunning. Mountain lion hunts are most often conducted with hounds. The killed lions are skinned and the hides are sold to fur traders.
NDOW's 2010-2011 Big Game Status report issued by NDOW includes an evaluation of Sheldon's key species. Below is a brief summary of what the NDOW report had to say about big game in Sheldon NWR, which is identified as "Unit 033." [Emphasis has been added.]
► Mule deer (pdf-p 21-22) -- Drought and fire, which affected as much as 60 percent of the mule deer habitat, are believed to have reduced the population in previous years. Now, however, herd growth is projected, and mule deer hunting-quota recommendations "are expected to increase."
► Pronghorn antelope (pdf-p 46-47) -- Recent survey showed "the highest number of animals ... since 2002." Hunting success reached 79 percent in late season. "Buck ratios remain strong and the quality of the hunting experience is excellent."
► California bighorn sheep (pdf-p 109-110) -- Hunting them is a challenge reportedly due to the "extensive amount of sheep habitat available." The previous drought has ended, and precipitation has been 150 percent of normal. "Harvest data over the past several years indicate a strong representation of mature rams exists in this population."