Flanigan & Fort Sage Herd Management Areas (HMAs)
Location/Habitat: The Flanigan and Fort Sage HMAs are located approximately 35 miles north of Reno/Sparks, in the Fort Sage and Virginia Mountains. These two HMAs are separated by approximately five miles, allowing for gene flow between the two populations. The Flanigan HMA encompasses 17,101 acres and the Fort Sage HMA contains approximately 15,000 acres in both the Carson City and Susanville, California, District Office's jurisdiction (2,043 in Carson City District and 12,957 in the Susanville District). The topography of the HMAs range from rolling hills at 4,265 feet in elevation to mountainous terrain of over 8,000 feet.
Average temperatures for Reno range from a low of 20 to 45 degrees Farenheit in December and January to a range of 48 degrees to 90 degrees in mid-summer. Slightly cooler temperatures occur as elevation increases. Average annual precipitation for this area is 8 to 12 inches annually.
Because of the abundance of water and resulting different habitat types, many species of wildlife can be found within the HMAs, including rodents, raptors (including prairie falcons and golden eagles), sage grouse, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mule deer and coyote.
Access to these HMAs is limited due to the steep, rugged terrain and lack of functioning access roads. Horses can sometimes be seen outside the Flanigan HMA along Astoer Pass Road (Highway 445) or on the maintained dirt road between Astor Pass and Doyle, California. the road to Doyle turns to the west approximately 2.5 miles after leaving the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. Cottonwood Creek Road is washed out in places and is unpassable even in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, though it could be hiked.
Vegetation: Dominant vegetation consists of mountain big sage, snowberry, rabbitbrush, cheat grass, Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, and bottlebrush squirreltail. Aspen and chock cherry stands are found along Cottonwood Creek and surrounding springs.
Herd Description: Most of the horses within the Flanigan HMA are dark in color. Some are very handsome, featuring large bones and resembling a small draft or war horse such as the Friesian. The larger horses are over 16 hands (162cc or 64" measured from the ground to the top of their withers). The majority of this HMA is steep and rocky, consequently many of these animals are quite adept at negotiating rugged terrain. Horses of the Fort Sage HMA tend to be somewhat smaller and have a more diverse repartee of coat colors.
