Newsletter: October 21, 2025

Dear Members & Supporters:

Big things are happening at Western Justice.

With the current administration, we have an unprecedented opportunity to advocate for Western lifestyles and livelihoods, and we are doing just that.

In late September, Western Justice founder, Dave Duquette, traveled to Washington D.C. with an expert team to address the dire situation with wolves in the West. In California’s Sierra Valley alone, there have been 85 cattle officially confirmed to have been killed by wolves, and another 100 cattle kills with unconfirmed causes, since March. The economic effects of this entirely avoidable tragedy pale only in comparison to the emotional toll it takes on ranchers.

With Dave in D.C. were:

Bill Shannon, Shannon Ranch

A fourth-generation rancher operating a cow-calf operation in the Central California Foothills, based in Terra Bella, Tulare County, California. Bill brings generational experience, practical insight, and a strong commitment to preserving both ranching traditions and balanced wildlife-management policies that sustain rural livelihoods.

Gary Cardoza, O’Neal Ranch

Represents a sixth-generation ranching family located in O’Neals, California, and Sierraville, California. The O’Neal Ranch has operated a cow-calf operation since 1878, maintaining a proud legacy of family-run ranching and stewardship of working lands. Gary’s continued leadership reflects the resilience and deep-rooted values of America’s ranching heritage.

Tim Ritschard, President of the Middle Park Stockgrowers

A fifth-generation rancher managing his family’s cow-calf operation in Colorado’s Middle Park, the epicenter of the state’s wolf reintroduction. Tim represents producers across Colorado, advocating for policies that protect ranching families, livestock, and the rural way of life we all know and value.

Jeff Flood, Wildlife Specialist

Serves multiple Washington State County Sheriff’s Departments as a Lead Depredation Investigator and Predator Control Officer. Acting as a liaison between ranchers and the Department of Fish & Wildlife, Jeff brings essential expertise in wildlife-conflict resolution and on-the-ground predator management, bridging the gap between enforcement agencies and rural producers.

Senator Todd Nash, Oregon State Senator

Former County Commissioner and Past President of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Todd is a respected rancher and advocate for rural Oregon. Todd was the rancher involved in the first confirmed wolf kill in Oregon, giving him unique firsthand experience with the realities of wolf depredation. His decades of leadership in both ranching and policymaking make him a vital voice for balance, accountability, and fair management.

Aurelia S. Giacometto, Contract Counsel for Western Justice

Aurelia brings over 20 years of distinguished experience in environmental law, regulation, and policy. She holds both administrative and corporate sector experience; her areas of industry include agriculture, wildlife and conservation, fossil fuel, and the Second Amendment. Currently, she is a Partner at Earth and Water Law. She has served in presidential and gubernatorial-appointed positions and corporate roles that shape the public and business regulatory landscapes. She is the 22nd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Trump-45) and 14th Secretary of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (Governor Jeff Landry). She holds a master’s in Molecular Genetics and is a licensed attorney in Kentucky and Washington, D.C.

The group met with Karen Budd Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior; Brian Nesvik, USFW Director; Aubrey Bettencourt, Director of the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); John Veale, Executive Director of the Congressional Western Caucus; staff members of Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY); and Kaitlynn Glover, Public Lands Council (PLC) Executive Director.

Another trip to D.C. is in the works. It will focus on several issues that Western Justice is involved in.

• Washington state: A ranch family is being unjustly persecuted for stock-water ponds that by legal definition, are not part of Waters of the United States (WOTUS).

• California: There is a push by the powers that be to redefine Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) as any place that has SIX (yes, 6) or more animals in one place.

• Getting horse facilities, whether personal or show facilities, to be distinctly removed from any CAFO designation.

• Pushing for the removal of the unneeded Horse Protection Act.

The ultimate decisions on these cases will set precedents with sweeping repercussions, which is exactly why Western Justice steps up to the plate.

Advocacy doesn’t just happen at the national level. Our initiatives are fueled and driven by the voices of every-day people who care enough to take the time to engage. The importance of grassroots efforts cannot be understated. Linked below is information about some of our current initiatives, with easy ways for you to take action.

Save Rodeo in Los Angeles

The Western Sports Industry Coalition has been fighting the proposed rodeo ban in Los Angeles for four years.

The proposed ban on rodeo activities in the City of Los Angeles, now a draft ordinance under consideration by the Los Angeles City Council, remains pending in the Council’s Arts, Parks, Neighborhoods, and Community Enrichment Committee, where it has been since December 2024.

The Committee Chair may choose to agendize the proposed ordinance at any time, with 72 hours’ notice, after which the three-person committee would consider the item. After the Arts, Parks, Neighborhood, and Community Enrichment Committee considers the item, it would forward a recommendation (for or against) to the full, fifteen-member City Council for final consideration.

The ordinance drafted by the Los Angeles City Attorney, if enacted, would prohibit the following activities:

• bareback bronc riding

• bull riding

• calf roping

• saddle bronc riding

• steer wrestling

• team roping

• any other activity that involves physically wrestling an animal to the ground, roping an animal, or attempting to ride and remain mounted on a bucking animal

For the first time in several years, comments submitted to the L.A. City Council in favor of the proposed rodeo ban now outnumber those in opposition—even though animal-rights extremists represent only a tiny fraction of the population. We respectfully urge you to take just a few minutes to submit a comment supporting rodeo and opposing the proposed ban. Your voice truly matters in keeping rodeo tradition alive in L.A. and beyond. Help out here: https://www.westernjustice.info/laordinanceupdate

Help restore balance to Western rangelands by properly managing wild horses and burros: https://www.westernjustice.info/wildhorseandburrosact-takeaction

On-range populations of wild horses and burros are at least triple of the appropriate management levels. For years, Congress has inserted activist-backed riders into bills that have prevented the Wild Free Roaming Horses & Burro Act of 1971 to be followed. It’s time to get back to sound range management science and the rule of law.

Stop the PAST Act: https://www.westernjustice.info/pastact

The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act is a thinly veiled attempt by animal rights extremists to destroy horse industry by imposing broad and unnecessary federal oversight on events and disciplines that have never practiced soring. The issue of soring in gaited horses has been effectively eliminated, with over 98% percent compliance with existing laws.

None of our progress and accomplishments would be possible without the continued support of our dedicated members and donors, and we are proud to announce two new corporate sponsors:

For over 100 years, American Hat Company has taken pride in producing high-quality, stylish, and durable cowboy hats, an iconic and beloved symbol of the western way of life around the world. Visit their website at https://americanhat.net/

Angie's Acres is home to Minnesota's only full-blood DNA-tested Akaushi cattle, from the family of Wagyu. Offering beef straight from the ranch to your table. Visit their website at https://angiesacresmn.com/

In closing, it can sometimes be easy to slip into complacency when we have the leadership we want and are confident in the direction of our nation, but our leaders can’t help us if they aren’t aware of our challenges. It is entirely up to us to push our issues into the spotlight where they can be seen by those who can affect real, lasting change.

Remember, our crew is your crew. Thank you for believing in us.

Get your memberships at: Memberships

Western Justice Legislative Fund is a Non-Profit, 501(c)(4) Corporation; Internal Revenue Code: EIN # 85-1738984