Look closely, see the elk in the background? They’re waiting their turn as this rancher breaks ice for her cattle. Ranchers provide habitat for our state’s wildlife whether it’s forage, water or places to shelter. Wildlife are dependent on private land owners for their very survival. But providing habitat for wildlife does take its toll on ranches as competition for forage affects cattle stocking rates. A recent study by Montana State University Extension estimated the cost of big game forage consumption on private lands in that state to be more than $31 million annually. How do we offset those costs in NM? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish issues hunting permits to landowners to compensate for forage depletion. Those tags are an important factor in the sustainability of our state’s ranches and a fair way to reimburse them for providing wildlife habitat. Photo courtesy of
Anita A. Hand
.
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