WHY ARE THE ARIZONA SPORTSMEN FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND 32 SPORTSMEN ORGANIZATIONS REQUESTING THE HUMANE REMOVAL OF FERAL HORSES?

In 2011, The Wallow fire consumed vast portions of the Apache National Forest. It also destroyed parts of the White Mountain Apache Tribal lands (WMAT). With the fire, the boundary fences between the WMAT and the Apache National Forest were destroyed.  During the next 11 years, horses from the WMAT came over to the Apache National Forest and migrated to the portions of the riparian areas that are home to the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse and a recovery area for the Apache trout.

The photos that have been provided were taken by Dr. Robin Silver from the Center For Biological Diversity during 2019 and 2021. He documented that over 80% of the tracks and droppings were from horses.  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 to the forest and need to be removed.

During extensive studies for the Wild Horse and Burro act in 1971 and 1973, there was no evidence of wild / feral horses on the Apache National Forest. The feral horses are growing in numbers each year and the head count exceeds over 400 animals.  The habitat degradation that they have caused is severe and removal is the only means of rebuilding these areas for all wildlife.

READ THE FOREST SERVICE STATEMENTS HERE

READ FAQ's HERE

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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