For Release: Aug. 25, 2000
Contact:  Jeff Fontana (530) 257-5381; Susie Stokke (530) 279-6101

The Bureau of Land Management will begin gathering excess wild horses from the High Rock Canyon region of northwest Nevada August 29, and operations are expected to continue into mid September.

A helicopter will be used in gathering horses from the High Rock, Wall Canyon and Nut Mountain areas, where about 300 excess horses will be removed from the range, said BLM Surprise Field Manager Susie Stokke.

"Our census shows these herds are exceeding their appropriate management level," Stokke said.  "We must reduce the populations to lessen the horses' impacts on the plants and water sources in the region."

Gathering operations will be shut down during the Labor Day holiday weekend,  from Sept. 1 through Sept. 4, then resume until about Sept. 15.

"Our gathers will be taking place at the start of some antelope and deer hunting seasons in Nevada Hunting  Zone 012," Stokke said. "We are prepared to keep hunters informed about where the helicopter will be flying each day so they can plan their hunting trips to avoid areas where the helicopter is working."  Details on horse gathering flights can be obtained by calling the BLM Surprise Field Office in Cedarville, (530) 279-6101.

The BLM is responsible for managing and protecting wild horse populations in balance with other rangeland users, including wildlife and domestic livestock.  When herd populations exceed appropriate management levels, excess animals are removed from the range and placed in the BLM's wild horse and burro adoption program.

Animals removed in the upcoming gathers will be prepared for adoption at the BLM's Litchfield Corrals near Susanville, and will be ready for adoption about six weeks after they are removed from the range.

More information on the current gathering schedule is available from the Surprise Field Office, (530) 279-6101.  For information on adopting a horse or burro, contact the toll free information line for the Litchfield Corrals: 800-545-4256.

-BLM-

Surprise Field Office   602 cressler Street   Cedarville, CA  96104