Tell USDA: Hold the Line on Feral Horse Removal
Tell USDA: Hold the Line on Feral Horse Removal
For nearly 20 years, feral horses have been multiplying across the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, degrading riparian areas, trampling stream banks, stripping meadows, monopolizing water, and pushing elk, mule deer, wild turkey, Apache trout, and other native wildlife out of the habitat they depend on.
These horses are not protected wild horses under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The Forest Service has confirmed they are unauthorized livestock, and the agency has the legal authority and responsibility to remove them from National Forest lands.
Now, after years of delay, the Forest Service has finally begun to act — and horse advocacy groups are using litigation and political pressure to stop it.
Arizona hunters, anglers, conservationists, and public land users need to speak up now.
Secretary Rollins and Forest Service leadership need to hear that hunters support lawful, science-based management. We cannot allow emotion, lawsuits, or political theater to override habitat, wildlife, and responsible public land stewardship.
Why This Matters
Feral horses are causing severe damage to mountain meadows, riparian areas, stream banks, and water sources.
Elk and deer opportunities have declined in areas where unmanaged horses have taken over habitat.
These animals are unauthorized livestock—not a historic protected wild horse herd.
The Forest Service has the authority to remove them and must defend that authority in court.
The same pattern is unfolding on the Tonto National Forest with the Salt River horses, where politics and emotional advocacy are blocking real management.
The Ask
Send a message to Secretary Rollins, AZ legislators, and USDA leadership urging them to:
Hold the line.
Do not back down from lawful removal of unauthorized horses on the Apache-Sitgreaves.
Fight for it in court.
Defend the Forest Service’s authority to manage unauthorized livestock on National Forest lands.
Keep the momentum.
Do not let this become another decade of delay while wildlife habitat is destroyed.
ARIZONA RESIDENTS ONLY
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