So it's finally happened, the government has gotten bored driving the public out of public lands and are now going after animals because 'environmental groups' are bitching. So there were probably lots of hooved animals traversing streams and munching on plants long before man came around. I think we would all be better off 'eliminating' environmental wankers than, let's just call them wild OK? Feral has such a negative connotation even if it is accurate, animals.
It's accurate that they are feral I suppose, but they are nearly native - All over the southwest particularly, cowboys have been making their fortune on wild cattle since before the cattle drives - I will admit they were brought in, but that goes way, way back to the Spaniards.
And if you think cattle are hard on things, have another think. You should see what a big herd of elk do to a creek crossing... Or what a couple moose do to a swamp. And let's not forget buffalo, which should go without saying.
But what they won't tell you is the singular blessing of cow patties especially. Even among ungulates, there is no better fertilizer. Especially in such a sandy place, what them cows are dropping out their butts is pure ecological gold.
Don't believe me... Go look at restorative farming, where folks are taking land so abused that the topsoil is all but gone... They mow it first, to keep the brambles down, and may run chickens and pigs through to stir up the natural seed and till the land, but invariably, the soil builder is cattle.
One guy I watch all the time on youtube has brought back 150 acres with no chemicals... just mowing and cows. And the top soil went from 1/2" to nearing 4" in half a decade.
These folks don't have a single clue what they are talking about.