Seth Patterson
Pronghorn
Before the United States was colonized, an estimated 40-60 million Pronghorn roamed the open grasslands of North America. By 1915, fewer than 15,000 remained.
Over the last 95 years stringent protection policies have helped bring this majestic creature back from the brink of extinction. Today they number nearly one million and can again be found over much of their natural range.
Still, Pronghorn face many threats. As large ranches move from family to family the ranches are broken up, they grow smaller, become subdivided. New fences go up, fragmenting what open range remains. This can be truly detrimental to our Pronghorns as they will not jump a fence.
If there is not significant room for a Pronghorn to squeeze under a fence they can become trapped within a single field. If this area is too small to support and sustain a herd of Pronghorn they will eventually starve. If drought sets in and they cannot migrate to a more suitable habitat, they are doomed.
Many of our Texas Pronghorns are facing this very issue, recent numbers indicating the population in West Texas dropping from nearly 17,000 in the mid 80s to less than 5,000 today.
It is important that ranch owners recognize this and work with state and federal officials to implement Pronghorn-Friendly fencing and restore the vast range of this truly American species.
Pronghorn
Before the United States was colonized, an estimated 40-60 million Pronghorn roamed the open grasslands of North America. By 1915, fewer than 15,000 remained.
Over the last 95 years stringent protection policies have helped bring this majestic creature back from the brink of extinction. Today they number nearly one million and can again be found over much of their natural range.
Still, Pronghorn face many threats. As large ranches move from family to family the ranches are broken up, they grow smaller, become subdivided. New fences go up, fragmenting what open range remains. This can be truly detrimental to our Pronghorns as they will not jump a fence.
If there is not significant room for a Pronghorn to squeeze under a fence they can become trapped within a single field. If this area is too small to support and sustain a herd of Pronghorn they will eventually starve. If drought sets in and they cannot migrate to a more suitable habitat, they are doomed.
Many of our Texas Pronghorns are facing this very issue, recent numbers indicating the population in West Texas dropping from nearly 17,000 in the mid 80s to less than 5,000 today.
It is important that ranch owners recognize this and work with state and federal officials to implement Pronghorn-Friendly fencing and restore the vast range of this truly American species.