Chris Gill - Pitchstone Waters (Page 33)

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Chris Gill

Ranching, wildlife management, finance, oil & gas, real estate development and management.

Energy Development Abuse Threatens Port Aransas and Texas’ Bays and Estuaries

Energy Development Abuse Threatens Port Aransas and Texas' Bays and Estuaries

The idea of lessening regulation to achieve energy independence is a good one until it is catastrophically abused as it is in South Texas’ coastal estuaries. Texas’ conservation organizations and wildlife agencies exist to protect wildlife and habitats. Why do they remain silent as one of our most environmentally and

The Rules that Govern Life on Earth - with Sean B Carroll

"Invasion Biology"

The Rules that Govern Life on Earth - with Sean B Carroll

The author of ‘The Serengheti Rules’ has shown that in order to be healthy, grasslands need (1) keystone grazers, (2) many prey species and (3) many predators. In this 50-minute video he explains these ideas at the home of the British Royal Academy. NOTE: this post was originally published to

New Texas A&M Research Documents Domestic Cattle Genetics In Modern Bison Herd

New Texas A&M Research Documents Domestic Cattle Genetics in Modern Bison Herd

“Cattle and bison readily crossbreed. It was ranchers who saved bison in the late 1800’s, but they ran these bison alongside their domestic cattle herds. New research from Texas A&M says that all bison, including the Yellowstone herds thought to be “pure,” are cattle hybrids. As explained

Dire Wolves Were Real—and Even Stranger Than We Thought

Dire Wolves Were Real—and Even Stranger Than We Thought

Wolves have been in North America far longer than humans. As described below, the dire wolf was about the same size as the Yukon wolf and the northwestern wolf, the largest modern gray wolves (Canis lupus). Dire wolves’ prey included Western horses, ground sloths, mastodons, ancient bison, and camels. Dire

Sandhill Cranes talking near Cascade, Idaho.

Sandhill Cranes Talking Near Cascade Idaho

Sandhill Cranes have been around for between 2.8 and 10-million years: That makes them one of the oldest living birds. They migrate thousands of miles from northern summer breeding grounds. Some have made it as far as Europe and even China. This group of Sandhill Cranes were vocalizing in

Wildfires and Wildfire Prevention: What’s Working, What’s Not?

Fighting Wildfires

Wildfires and Wildfire Prevention: What's Working, What's Not?

Are controlled burns environmental ‘silver bullets’ or environmental disasters? NOTE: this article is being published with permission of the author. It was written by William E. Simpson II – full credits / reference below. Wildfires and Wildfire Prevention: What’s Working, What’s Not? Fire retardant chemicals are known carcinogens and pollutants

The Answer to Keeping Moose Populations Healthy? Wolves

The Answer to Keeping Moose Populations Healthy? Wolves

If wolves “compete” with moose, why do the the largest moose populations and the largest wolf populations in North America exist together? This article discusses some of reasons why the species are—in fact—complementary. Read why wolves keep moose herds healthy. Then, consider how wolves could help control CWD

2022 Winter Wildlife Near Yellowstone Park, in Idaho

2022 Winter Wildlife Near Yellowstone Park, in Idaho

Winter wildlife, 2022 at Pitchstone Waters.

Saying No to Glyphosate in Our Foods, Environment

Saying No to Glyphosate in Our Foods, Environment

Quoting sources for the article appearing below, ” … glyphosate is the most dangerous environmental chemical we face today due to its unique mechanism of toxicity, careless application, and pervasive presence.” NOTE: this article was originally published to TheEpochTimes.com on May 2, 2022. It was written by Melissa Diane Smith Of

Fred. A Human of the Working Wild

Fred. A Human of the Working Wild

Stories about some great Western characters. NOTE: this article was originally published to Onland.WesternLandOwners.org on July 21, 2021. Humans of the Working Wild is a collection of stories from people in the West who are living, recreating and working with and among wildlife on working lands, lightly edited

When Goats Become Firefighters, Not Everyone Follows Orders

"Invasion Biology"

When Goats Become Firefighters, Not Everyone Follows Orders

The article below discusses using goat herds to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfire. At Pitchstone Waters, we use goats every year. Their favorite food is leafy spurge – a rapidly spreading weed that no other domestic or wild animal will eat, and which is immune to herbicides. NOTE: this

Securing a Future for Wolves in the West

"Invasion Biology"

Securing a Future for Wolves in the West

Another excellent article by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) the free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman. This one is about how to address people and livelihoods while achieving the essential ecological need to return wolves across the West. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.

Bridger-Teton Considers Phasing Out Two Elk Feedgrounds

Bridger-Teton Considers Phasing Out Two Elk Feedgrounds

These feed grounds are CWD “super-spreaders”, but they remain very popular. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on January 20, 2022. It was written by Angus M. Thuermer Jr. The Bridger-Teton National Forest will consider phasing out the Dell Creek and Forest Park winter elk feedgrounds as

Wolves and Moose at Pitchstone Waters

Wolves and Moose at Pitchstone Waters

It’s springtime at Pitchstone Waters Ranch, which means that we can access our game cameras in the high forests along our boundary with the national forest, and see last winter’s photos. The game camera that took these photos is located in our northeast corner, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone

Understanding ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’

"Invasion Biology"

Understanding ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’

As discussed in the compelling article published below, “Wild horses that are restored back into their evolutionary roles as keystone herbivores naturally protect forests, wildlife, watersheds and wilderness ecosystems, which benefit through symbiotic grazing by wild horses that naturally maintain wildfire fuels (grass and brush) to nominal levels, thereby reducing

Grand Teton Cull Ends With 58 Mt. Goats Killed, Primarily in Park’s North End

"Invasion Biology"

Grand Teton Cull Ends With 58 Mt. Goats Killed, Primarily in Park's North End

According to the article below, the National Park Service (NPS) has decided to exterminate wild mountain goats in the Teton-Yellowstone Parks because they (1) are non-native, (2) “compete” with bighorn and (3) might infect them with diseases. NPS claims to follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (the Model)

LANDLOCKED!

Here is a good discussion of “Access”. NOTE: this article was originally published to FayRanches.com on October 31, 2021. It was written by Cheryl Summer, Associate Broker, Licensed in WY, MT. There is a well-worn phrase in the modern lexicon of the west: Legal Access. Fifth-generation ranchers know all