THE ARIZONA SPORTSMEN FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND 32 SPORTSMEN ORGANIZATIONS REQUEST THE HUMANE REMOVAL OF FERAL HORSES AND ARE AGAINST SB 1057.

The feral versus wild horse issue is rearing its head again in Arizona. State Senator John Kavanagh has introduced SB 1057, a bill that would create a horse preserve similar to the one that has ruined the Salt River Basin. 

The bill is currently in front of the Senate sub-committee on Natural Resources where a host of local and national fish, wildlife, and conservation groups hope it will simply stall.

In 2011, The Wallow fire consumed vast portions of the Apache National Forest in Arizona and also destroyed parts of the White Mountain Apache Tribal lands (WMAT). Boundary fences between the WMAT and the Apache National Forest were destroyed during the fire, as well. 

Without the fencing horses from the WMAT came over to the Apache National Forest over the last 11 years, migrating to riparian areas that are home to the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse and a recovery area for the Apache trout.

The national forest is also home to antelope, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and turkey, as well as waterfowl, and the newly-reintroduced Mexican gray wolf.

Recent photos document that over 80% of the tracks and droppings were from horses. The habitat degradation feral horses leave in their wake, if left unchecked, will have a devastating impact on native wildlife in the national forest. 

While horse advocates may try to claim that the horses were there for centuries, the truth is that they have migrated from tribal lands since the Wallow fire.

During extensive studies for the Wild Horse and Burro Act in 1971 and 1973, there was no evidence of wild or feral horses in the Apache National Forest. 

After more than a decade, these horses were adjudicated as feral livestock in federal court this past July. Ultimately, the state of Arizona has no power to mandate how this feral herd is managed.

The feral horses are growing in numbers each year, with the headcount pushing 1,200 animals. The habitat degradation that they have caused is severe, and humane removal is the only means of rebuilding these areas for all wildlife.

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GROUPS IN SUPPORT OF THE HUMANE REMOVAL OF FERAL HORSES:
The Arizona Sportsmen For Wildlife Conservation, The Center For Biological Diversity, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Anglers United, AZ Antelope Foundation, AZ Bass Nation, AZ Big Game Super Raffle, AZ Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, AZ Chapter of Safari Club International, AZ Council of Trout Unlimited, AZ Deer Association, AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, AZ Elk Society, AZ Flycasters Club, AZ Houndsmen's Association, AZ Outdoor Adventures, AZ Outdoor Sports, AZ Predator Callers, AZ State Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation, Ben Avery Clay Busters, Christian Hunters of America, Diablo Trust, Maricopa Audubon Society, Mogollon Sporting Association, Mule Deer Foundation, No Excuse Hunting and Outdoors, Outdoor Experience 4 All, Southern AZ Quail Forever, Southwest Wildlife Foundation, SRT Outdoors, The Bass Federation of AZ. Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Valley of the Sun Quail Forever, Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club.

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