SOUL OF THE WEST? Not so much. While I don't have anything against donkeys it would be ludicrous to consider them a natural part of the desert environment. They've done a lot of damage and their numbers should be kept very low in order to reduce their impact on native species.
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 8:19 am
by wildrose
Anyone who considers an invasive species to be the soul of the west does not understand the soul of the west. I'm not saying that there is anything easily definable as the soul of the west, but I am saying that donkeys clearly do not constitute the essence of the natural history of the Mojave Desert. They have encroached upon this territory, not by choice, but they have encroached nonetheless and our toleration of their presence should be very limited to put it diplomatically. I'm not advocating their massive slaughter, but I do think their numbers should be kept in check.
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 8:24 am
by sandman
DONKEYS: They're fun to see, but they are a traffic hazard. I'd be in favor of allowing hunting wild donkeys. They're really tasty when properly BBQed! LOL
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:40 am
by panamint_patty
Ridgecrest Wild Horse Adoption Event This was a great opportunity for someone looking for a horse.
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:41 am
by twister
panamint_patty: Most of the wild horses I've seen look a little bit sickly. They're usually slightly deformed with at least one or two body parts not properly proportioned. Of course, the price is right and so saving so much money makes it easy to put up with some imperfections!
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:05 pm
by surfsteve
Haven't been there in a while but that place always looked more like a horse concentration camp than a health resort the times I visited it.
Drought Has Endangered Horses, But One Organization Is Determined To Help Icons of the American West, my ass! More like invasive species encroaching on the wilderness and crowding out native species!
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:13 am
by shadylady
CrustyOldFart: Yes, people seem to lose sight of the fact that donkeys and horses are not native species and that they are only wild in the sense that they are not owned by anyone, but technically they don't belong in the wilderness. They displace deer, antelope, and other species that would otherwise benefit from the vegetation which they devour.
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:28 am
by sierra_jim
Passing through the area I noticed somewhere between 25 and 30 donkeys gathered on the Searles Valley side of Slate Range Xing earlier this week. My wife and I pulled over to the side of the road to count them and we both agree that there were at least 26 donkeys, but it was hard to count a group that was off in the distance. It's surprising that the BLM has allowed so many donkeys to accumulate.
Re: Wild Horses and Donkeys
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 6:31 am
by twister
According to an article I read recently, the BLM is actually giving people $1000 to adopt a wild horse or donkey. Of course, you have to show that you have the ability to take care of the animal(s), but other than that the BLM is willing to give people $1000 for taking an animal off their hands since it actually saves them money for people to adopt them. BTW, the adoption application process costs $25.