Lost income laying dead on the prairie! Sad to see. Maybe to some others could care less, but I care as this country was founded and explored through activites as such. Alot of our American history lies in the west and the wars fought over cattlemen and sheepmen and the hardships endured. Where I used to live you could read and see photo's of the old days of long before auto's sheepmen trailing all their herds many days to get to a buying station to get them loaded on rail car and sent to the big packing plants in the mid west. Some weeks of travel all to get 1 pay check a year. A hard life but one with some satisfaction. I guess I have too much old west in me

Wildlife 2 without knowing for sure I'm betting a bird deal in downtown St Louis? I think it states they are all federal buildings as well correct? I see nothing wrong what so ever with them getting this MOU and contract. I mean it is vague as to what the workis and how it went about with the information you provided.

What did they do before thire reliance on the government in the 1930's?
I don't think the wild west was tamed by WS.
WS was created as a work program as part of the new deal.

Whats wrong with feds protecting there own buildings and forests?

If that is your logic why do the Feds put anything out to bid? Maybe the feds should raise the sheep and butcher them to. I'm sure they can do that better as well.

If they own the sheep, why not?

What agency do you work for?

1st. Civ. Div.

According to the sense of the senate USDA WS must not provide wildlife control when private sector sources are available.

Fine with me either way. I dont like doing work for any local, state, fed, govt. So, as far as I go, they can do there own wildlife control on the buildings and property they are responsible for. Not saying you shouldn't, If thats your bag then you should definately go after it.

What did they do before thire reliance on the government in the 1930's

You must look back at history to the dust bowl era and then what followed after that, you had increases in livestock from the early- mid 30's to the early 40's as much as 50%. AS the livestock numbers increased so did the need for control work.

You must also remember wildlife 2 many species have adapted far better thsn many have thought, how many years ago coyotes where thought as a western plains animal? Now every state is full of them and it goes on for other species. The open range is still the cheapest way to grow cattle and sheep due to many factors and to ensure a supply for our country and others. Anyone ever think what beef/lamb would cost without western open range production?

In western states the livestock numbers are higher than that of people!

intheweeds, I'm sure what you say about western beef verses cost is very true. I just think it's funny that on a trip out west we didn't get a single good tasting piece of beef until we got back to those good old corn-fed Angus and White-face in Iowa. When it comes to beef, us mid-westerners are spoiled rotten.

Paul I've lived here over 12 years and still haven't found a really good steak in a restaurant anywhere in this state, first they are over priced second most cuts are a mere tidbit. What they call the king cut at 16oz(before cooking) wouldn't even make a good sandwich. A real steak starts at 24oz and goes up from there. Come to my house and I'll go get some 24oz plus porterhouses doing a little marinade on them, BBQ to perfection which means a good red to pink center, baked taters, big salad, corn on the cob from the garden and your choice of adult beverage. Hungry yet?

Paul remember that western beef the majority goes to feedlots to get marbled and then sold to the large packers. Not to say ranchers don't finish off their own for in house use because they do. Also young grass fed beef is quite good! Also 90 day corn fed Bison and choice cuts are as good as most beef you will find in the store. Same goes for a nice wether lamb finished on corn and under 95 lbs some of the best lamb chops you will ever have!

I had some great ribeye from our local store when I lived out west, well marbled and corn finished.

Marinate good beef???? Really? I have always found it odd that someone would pay good money for choice or prime beef then mask that flavor with anything but light salt to be masking that great beef flavor!

Don't forget though that the anti corn crowd of beef consumers are willing to pay Great money for gras fed and finished Beef!!!! A great market for a smaller % of that open range beef for some that are willing to market as such.

Weeds, A marinade makes all the differance in the world on any meat. If a guy has time to let it sit for a couple days and drink it up. We all have our preferred way of eating. My favorite is like this.
Couple shots of soy sauce
Leamon juice (Go easy)
Palm Vinegar ( Half cup)
Jalipeno peppers
Black pepper
Whole ball of garlic
Cilantro
Onion
Ginger
Salt
Throw it all in a blender and make it liquid and soak anything you want in there for a couple days. Cooked over mesquite charcoal, NONE BETTER!

I think we're stealing this post. Who cares. Simple marinade doesn't change the over all flavor, a little soy sauce, a little olive oil and a sprinkle of Montreal Steak Seasoning(spicy preffered)let sit at room tempurature for an hour. I eat everything spicy, something ya'll don't know about me is I almost ended up living in Cabo San Lucas. I was engaged to a Mexican gal who's family owned an RV park there. I even owned a home there for a while. Today is May 5th Cinco de Mayo, Martha's 60th birthday, yes I almost married an older women. Do you know whats the best thing about older women?
They don't tell, they don't swell and they are gratefull as H*ll.
Now how did I end up in Montana? That's a whole different story.

Very interesting make sure you read the whole thing.
Some very good points. Usda gives anti all they need to make us all look bad.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/28/4450678/the-killing-agency-wildlife-services.html

they are just one of the biggest anti targets thats all, don't kid yourself, trapping, hunting etc... all on the firing line for antis.

best part, read the caption under the picture, if you believe that quote of "little danger to cattle" should probably find a new forum
to post on.

also gotta love the terminated employee jumping up now and running his mouth on the bandwagon where he's found new friends
in the anti realm to help him stick it to the govt.

Exactly HD, coyote numbers and calf kills in the western half of the US have a direct corrilation with one another.

USDA/WS has been on the anti's hit list for many years, nothing new or mind blowing there. To a degree the fed govt involvement in control work helps private trappers not hinders it!

Please tell me how it helps Nwcos?