From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
AP National
Thousands of Prairie Dogs Killed
by BRIAN WITTE
Associated Press Writer
SHIELDS, N.D. (AP) -- On a wall in Shields Bar, between mounted heads of deer
and pronghorn, are seven charts tracking 23,895 kills.
Each number represents a dead black-tailed prairie dog.
Another 4,912 prairie dogs were shot in six hours during the 8th Annual
Prairie Dog Extravaganza, a competition that drew 70 shooters to this tiny
south-central North Dakota town earlier this month.
To local ranchers, it's another battle in an ongoing war against
land-wrecking pests. To animal rights activists, it's an unnecessary
slaughter.
Richard Ternes, who has about 275 cattle, said the prairie dogs are
preventing grazing on his land -- killing grass by digging tunnel networks.
''We're going to get overpopulated with them and we won't be able to do
anything about it,'' Ternes said. ''The land is going to be worth nothing.''
During the shoot, organized by the Selfridge-Shields Sportsman Club,
participants pair up and spread out to prairie dog colonies within a 30-mile
radius of the town. The top 10 shooters win $1,900 in prize money. The day
ends with a steak fry and dance.
Jonathan Proctor, a program associate with Predator Conservation Alliance,
says prairie dogs need to be protected.
''It's a blood sport that is causing great harm to the entire prairie dog
ecosystem -- not just prairie dogs but many other species,'' he said.
Stephanie Boyles, a wildlife biologist with People for the Ethical Treatment
of Animals in Norfolk, Va., said the annual shoot is not solving the problem.
''They're just killing a lot of animals for fun,'' she said.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is working on a plan to maintain a
''viable'' prairie dog population, said spokesman Mike McKenna. It has not
yet determined what level is viable.
The department has opposed listing prairie dogs as endangered. Surveys cited
by the department have shown that prairie dog populations in the state
increased from about 10,000 acres to 30,000 acres since the 1970s.
Al Schauer, who enjoys the camaraderie of the shoot and has showed up for all
eight events in Shields, said anyone who wants to find out how prairie dogs
affect ranchers should ''get some land and put cattle on it.''
''Most of the people that complain the most about them have never seen this
area or lived here,'' he said, while taking a break from the shoot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Simple really, perhaps they should introduce foxes to keep the prairie dog
population down. Then when they've got too many foxes they could get some
hounds.... perhaps not.
--
Proof positive that the antis want to ban anything involving the killing
of animals, no matter how justifiable or necessary.
Steve.
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