The Deadly Weapon (Son & Alex)

[Tap]

I remember this story well. The ironic thing about it is that Wayne Hage, Pine Creek Ranch, Tonopah NV has won every court case on his claim that he has rights to grazing around all the water rights he holds. If his claim holds the result could be huge for public grazers. They could be owed millions for denying them their rights to graze on public lands.

[Brad S]

Shameful abuse of power. I'd like to see Tom Selleck do a movie to expose this situation.

[sw]

Thanks for the story Ranchy, I read all of this in RANGE but it is better coming from you. This stuff is all just plain wrong. I don't think that anyone turns cattle out on the allotment in Idaho that I grew up with, most of it burned in 2000 so the FS would not let anyone turn out cause it needed rest, and now the wolves are so thick that no one wants to turn out just to feed Babbits wolves. The enviros won again, no logging, no cows, just burnt forest and the spotted owl had to move to find a tree to nest in, the elk have moved into the fields and sagebrush to get away from the wolves and the largest employeer is the USFS with nothing to do with their time.

[kolanuraven]

Geezzz.....I'm an " Eastern-er"...and part of the public and I say " let'em graze"

Besides cattle grazing does it's part to control underbrush thus help with reducing the fire threat.

[Ranchy]

You're absolutely right, kolanuraven. It is good for the land, but some of these folks in "power" just don't see it! I have no idea how (if there even is a way) to change their minds. They're so much more interested in getting us out of the way, than they are doing what's right.

Thank you, sw. It's easier to write a personal view, because we were there when it all was happening. It's like when they convened the grand jury, for the animal cruelty deal........they summoned Kit's oldest brother to testify (he likes to be a big-shot). He was there for 2 weekends, after the FS and the contractor were gone, the cattle sold, etc. He and his 2 sons came over, and helped gather the remainder of the cattle off the place........I still haven't figured out why they summoned him instead of Hubby, who was there the whole time........maybe they really didn't want to know what went on. I don't know.

Brad, I'd love to collaborate with Tom Selleck! He'd make a really good Kit, I think........or maybe Hubby, and I'd have to play myself.........lol

Tap, I think the whole difference in Hage and Kit, is the bureau they're working against, for lack of a better word. It seems (or so I've heard) that the BLM is much more willing to work with the ranchers.........and also, Hage has the support of his county officials, state officials, etc. that Kit didn't have. Our sheriff had the authority to stop what was going on, but he wouldn't buck the feds. Our brand board had the authority to stop what was going on, but our lovely governor Bill Richardson, made them sign off on the inspection papers.......It's just a lot of corruption and a lot more bad judgement, on the part of the perpetrators.
And as for being denied their grazing rights, my dad is a very good example of that. He took a 3 year rest on his permit, which was fine to begin with. The week between Christmas and New Year's, 1999, the ranger suddenly told him that he had to have the allotment 3/4 stocked by Jan. 1, 2000. There was no way he could do that, there weren't even any cattle sales that week, they were all shut down for the holidays. So, consequently, my dad lost his permit, permanently, I guess......
So the derned FS has hit my family from both sides, and won. It just makes me mad as heck!

FH, it was wrong. It should have never happened. I'd still like to kick some butt.........