Big Bend National Park To Cull Auodads

[FuddRucker]

Not sure what this kind of thing costs, but they could probably raise more money towards further conservation efforts selling tag. Granted hunts would be way less efficient at achieving their goal.

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/09/big-bend-national-park-resume-efforts-remove-nonnative-sheep

 

[cuerro viejo]

I think it’s fair to say the National Park system isn’t big on hunters. It doesn’t exactly have a hunter friendly attitude. Tetons, Big Bend, Olympic etc

 

[BBob]

Same deal is needed over in Hueco Tanks State Park.

 

[FuddRucker]

I have no illusions about that! But they end up trying to kill em anyway. Does make me wonder about whether it's in hunters' interests to turn these animals into sought after species to chase (as some are trying to do). I believe there was another thread talking about this where someone referred to them as the "poor man's big horn". Kind of interesting to consider the tradeoffs of opportunity vs impact on the landscape and other species. I'd err towards prioritizing the latter and getting rid of them.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I say let people hunt them year round by any means necessary. Can't have that though, it'll scare all the normie park visitors seeing hunters in there.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I say let people hunt them year round by any means necessary. Can't have that though, it'll scare all the normie park visitors seeing hunters in there.

Let’s be honest, Big Bend isnt exactly well explored .

Most tourists might hike a mile if that

 

[elsb0048]

Other parks (Teton, Olympic) have allowed sportsmen to participate in the culling in the past but it's usually a lot of effort for the park. I assume primarily they do it for optics & relationships with hunting population than because it's a cost-effective way to solve their overpopulation problems.

From what I've read you get brought on as an 'unpaid contractor' to be a temporary employee and must submit an application and pass some practical shooting tests to participate. I believe exo mountain gear guys published a podcast interview with a hunter that did the Teton one.

I presume they jump through those hoops due to federal law rather than park policy but I could be wrong

 

[cuerro viejo]

Other parks (Teton, Olympic) have allowed sportsmen to participate in the culling in the past but it's usually a lot of effort for the park. I assume primarily they do it for optics & relationships with hunting population than because it's a cost-effective way to solve their overpopulation problems.

From what I've read you get brought on as an 'unpaid contractor' to be a temporary employee and must submit an application and pass some practical shooting tests to participate. I believe exo mountain gear guys published a podcast interview with a hunter that did the Teton one.

I presume they jump through those hoops due to federal law rather than park policy but I could be wrong

Only after extreme public out cry.

Big bend has zero of the excuses they originally used for tetons and Olympic

 

[alexnelon]

I say let people hunt them year round by any means necessary. Can't have that though, it'll scare all the normie park visitors seeing hunters in there.

Go out there in July/August and you'll have the place to yourself. For some reason the subaru crew doesn't get out much when it's hot outside.