Herds are hurting: Extreme drought may put ranchers out of business

Wichita Falls (TX) Times Record News ^ | July 13, 2011 | Lynn Walker

[mylife]

The drought is hurting the wildlife badly. I have seen several deer and bobcats in town this month and I have never seen a deer in this county in 20 years.

They are being driven toward the population centers looking for food and water.

It's bad out there, but it's a dry heat ☺

[re_nortex]

In spite of the relentless heat and lack of rain, several of the comments are inspiring and typical of the can-do spirit and faith of Texans:

I believe the answer is to get on our knees and pray to the One who can solve this problem for us, Allmighty God!

Personally I refuse to quit. I will hang on, pray and believe God will lead us through this.

We need to hang together and help each other out, that's what makes us special!

As for the people that have no idea what kind of sacrifices ranchers make year round in order to put food on the table for their families, you couldn't walk a mile in their shoes. They are just doing what ever it takes to make a living and my hat goes off to them...GOD BLESS TEXAS

[mylife]

I just drove past a creek bed a few min ago and the vegetation along the banks was dead and dying.

Cottonwoods are dropping their leaves as if it was autumn.

[Deaf Smith]

The mesquite beans are just about gone and the prickly pear will will be eaten up soon.

[TribalPrincess2U]

How does 0bama do it?

Seems we’ve had nothing but one crisis after another
since he took over our lives.

One does wonder if the anti-Christ is close by.

[RockinRight]

It almost makes you wish for a weak hurricane or tropical storm to push inland at the Texas coast...something with a lot of rain and not so much wind to dump a few inches of rain at least. Wouldn’t end the drought but could at least save what’s left.

[mylife]

That wont happen until at least Sept

[HiTech RedNeck]

I'm Not Your Horse

[bgill]

There's more wildlife here because the river is bringing them in. They're having to move into more human populated areas where there's greener vegetation to eat. My neighbor has had 4 fawns born in their yard because of the soft green lawn. No lawn watering ban here like other places around Texas because we're in the country and have private wells.

Wouldn't you know, my freezer is full and now meat prices are going down. Going to have to make some decisions.

[thackney]

[cripplecreek]

Isn’t that one of the reasons the Texas longhorn was once common?

[mylife]

Send any venison steaks you don't want to me "mylife makes a mean venison steak with peppercorn sauce and wild rice @Freerepublic.com" ☺

[mylife]

A sad southern lament.

[mylife]

My county is split yellow/orange.
I guess we are damn lucky so far.

[SuzyQue]

I’ve got a bucket of water I keep full, in the woods in front of the house. The critters are becoming very anxious, and it’s the least I can do.

It’s bad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so dry.

[Fred Hayek]

When Katrina hit New Orleans, one deranged liberal talker was claiming that the Evil Bush steered the hurricane toward New Orleans.
Why not pin the drought on Barry Dunham since he hates Texas.

[re_nortex]

It almost makes you wish for a weak hurricane or tropical storm to push inland at the Texas coast...something with a lot of rain and not so much wind to dump a few inches of rain at least. Wouldn’t end the drought but could at least save what’s left.

Earlier this week, I read that people are avoiding outdoor swimming pools in Oklahoma City because the water is just too warm.

"The area pools are not crowded because the water is so warm, jumping into it is like jumping into bath water," said Damon Lane, meteorologist at ABC News affiliate KOCO in Oklahoma City.

Caution is advised with blue-green algae and bacteria that thrive in stagnant lake water.

[RockinRight]

Most likely, but a couple have hit TX in July and August before.

[RockinRight]

C’mon hurricane season!