ALBUQUERQUE \u2013 A plan by U.S. Forest Service officials to put a dent in the population of feral cattle on national forest land near the New Mexico-Arizona border is drawing fire from ranchers who say gunning down the animals from helicopters is a violation of federal law and won\u2019t help to solve the problem.<\/p>\n
The New Mexico Cattle Growers\u2019 Association is concerned about the ability of the wildlife agents to delineate branded from unbranded livestock, saying mistakenly killing cows with brands would amount to the taking of private property.<\/p>\n
Environmentalists also have long voiced concerns that leaving cow carcasses on the landscape will only help condition Mexican gray wolves to prey on livestock. Ranchers worry the upcoming aerial gunning operation on the Gila National Forest could exacerbate conflicts with the endangered species.<\/p>\n
Federal officials did not immediately say how many wild cattle will be targeted during the operation, which is aimed at keeping the animals from grazing in sensitive habitat along streams and wetlands. A previous effort by a contractor to catch and remove wild cattle from the area netted about 20 animals.<\/p>\n
The Cattle Growers\u2019 Association argues that since the number of feral cattle in the Gila National Forest is unknown, there is no way to hold federal officials accountable or determine if progress is being made in reducing the population.<\/p>\n
Loren Patterson, president of the ranchers group, said the situation is the result of \u201cmany years of mismanagement by the Forest Service.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Mexico Cattle Growers\u2019 members understand that estray cattle are not good for the multiuse doctrine embraced by our federally administered lands,\u201d Patterson said in a statement. \u201cThis situation took years to create, and a final solution may take years to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regional forest service officials did not immediately respond to a message sent Friday seeking details about the wild cattle and the planned operation.<\/p>\n
The association contends there is no federal statute or regulation that allows for the Forest Service to gun down livestock and that rounding up and impounding livestock is allowed only after certain conditions are met. The group said government agencies should provide adequate notice and allow public comment before \u201cimposing their will to proceed as they deem equitable.\u201d<\/p>\n
A similar proposal was floated by forest officials last year. That prompted a notice of intent to sue by ranchers, a coalition of Arizona and New Mexico counties and others. The New Mexico Livestock Board also rejected any discussion of aerial gunning.<\/p>\n