“Help Us Save the Sheldon Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep & Antelope Herds”

“The back fence of my 5~Mile Ranch is the Sheldon National Wildlife Range. The Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is half a million acres of high desert habitat for large wintering herds of pronghorn antelope, mule deer, scattered bands of bighorn sheep, and a rich assortment of other wildlife.A truly unique high desert with sage brush and mountain mahogany which used to be one of the most superb mule deer and antelope habitats in Nevada or the western U.S. Large groups of deer and antelope could be seen at almost any time and whether you were a hunter, wildlife photographer or just someone that likes to watch wildlife in their natural beautiful habitat the Sheldon was the place to be.

I have run Nevada Trophy Hunts for close to twenty years. I also have a 160 acre ranch that joins the Sheldon and from my point of view it was heaven. Just a few short years ago I would guarantee my clients that every third hunter would get to take or at least have a shot at a 30” plus wide 180 B&C type buck and I had the photos to prove it. Many of you receiving this email have taken those bucks with me in the past. Well, the genetics are still there and with your help we can bring our mule deer back.

A dark cloud has descended on the Sheldon in the form of an out of control feral horse and burro population championed by the liberal California and Colorado Wild Horse lobby the same people that champion and brought you the wolf! The overpopulation of non-native feral horses has an obvious and lasting impact to resources like fisheries, sage-grouse or other non-game species, as well as the large native bighorn sheep, antelope and mule deer. Large grassy riparian areas around the clear flowing springs of the refuge that used to give cover to sage hen are gone. Now these important areas are dusty areas devoid of grass or sage brush and the springs are mud holes. These devastated spring areas are guarded most of the day by aggressive feral horses that not only prevent antelope and bighorn sheep the opportunity to come to water, as I have witnessed, will chase them from water.

There is one hope of saving this wonderful refuge and it is that U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is in the process of drafting a management plan to deal with the Feral Horse & Burro Population among other issues and you are being invited to give your opinion. Only you have the power to make the Sheldon what it was set aside to be, a true wildlife refuge. Only you have the power to remove the destructive non-native species that are there now, feral horses and burros. It will only take a few minutes of your time and with a few clicks of your computer you will be helping to restore one of the greatest mule deer habitats that has ever been from becoming a horse corral.

Be assured the liberal Wild Horse lobby is taking those few minutes to push for no control.

Use this link to take you to the Sheldon webpage.


http://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/main/docs/NV/docssheldon.htm

then at the left side of this screen click on: Use this link to submit your comments to us electronically link on the left hand side of the page below the antelope photo. Fill out the form info and scroll down to the first set of choices.


~Managing Feral Horses & Burros~

Then check alternative “ 2” = Remove all feral horses and burros within five years

Then in the comment box make a comment:

For example: “Please make the Sheldon a true wildlife refuge as it was set aside to be and take out all feral horses & burros.”

Then click Submit Comments

If you will take the time to do this small thing we may be able to save one of the greatest wildlife areas in the western United States. Then maybe in a few years you or your kids may be lucky enough to hunt one of those thirty inch plus 180B&C mule deer that used to be common on the Sheldon. Like I said the genetics are still there we just need your help.

This is a time sensitive comment period that ends in December so do not put it off. Send this to every hunter you know and we can whip the liberal horse lobby on this one.

Thanks in advance for helping on this very IMPORTANT issue,

Tony Diebold

FiveMileRanch@gbis.com”

This is a cause we want to get behind and support. We’re urging all sportsmen who read this to complete the survey and submit your comments. – Hunters Against PETA

http://www.HuntersAgainstPETA.com