2018 SILVER KING HERD MANAGEMENT AREA WILD HORSE GATHER
The Bureau of Land Management Ely District, Caliente Field Office expects to begin the Silver King Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather on or about November 26. The 606,000-acre Silver King HMA is located in Lincoln County, about 16 miles north of Caliente, Nev.
Purpose of Gather
The purpose of the gather is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Removing excess animals would also enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.
Details of Gather
The BLM will utilize the services of a helicopter contractor to gather and remove approximately 980 excess wild horses. During the gather, the BLM will collect information on herd characteristics and determine herd health. The gather operation is expected to last approximately 21 days. Approximately 244 wild horses will remain in the HMA once the gather is completed. Appropriate Management Level is 60-128 wild horses.
Public Observation
Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. The BLM anticipates that viewing opportunities will begin on Nov. 27, 2018, weather and logistics permitting. Once gather operations have begun, those wanting to view gather operations must call the Silver King HMA gather hotline nightly at (775) 861-6700 to receive specific instructions on meeting locations and times.
Observers must provide their own transportation. The BLM recommends footwear and clothing suitable for harsh field conditions and a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle.
All horses identified for removal will be transported to the Indian Lakes Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Fallon, Nev., where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program. For information on how to adopt a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
Background
The Silver King HMA is located in the BLM Ely District on public lands administered by the Caliente Field Office. The gather may also take place in areas outside the HMA where wild horses have moved in search of food and water and are creating a public safety hazard by traveling across roads and highways.
The current population estimate for the Silver King HMA is approximately 1224 wild horses, including the 2018 foal crop. Appropriate Management Level is 60-128 wild horses. AML is the level at which wild horse populations are consistent with the land’s capacity to support them and other mandated uses of those lands, including protecting ecological processes and habitat for other resources.
Access the decision record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy at the national NEPA register. For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov
Gather Reports
Dec. 17, 2018
Summary: Mostly cloudy, winds 3-10 MPH, Low 34 degrees F., High 46 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 35 (22 Studs, 7 Mares, 6 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Dec. 16, 2018
Summary: Mostly clear, winds 3-10 MPH, Low 21 degrees F., High 50 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 19 (5 Studs, 8 Mares, 6 Foals)
Animals shipped: 53 (0 Studs, 33 Mares, 20 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*4 year old black mare, very weak and emaciated, BCS 1, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition
Dec. 15, 2018
Summary: Mostly clear, winds 0-8 MPH, Low 17 degrees F., High 45 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 23 (7 Studs, 12 Mares, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 40 (26 Studs, 14 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
*Four-year-old grey stud, broken right hind leg, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery from acute injury
Dec. 14, 2018
Summary: Mostly clear, winds 6-14 MPH, Low 18 degrees F., High 44 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 64 (18 Studs, 29 Mares, 17 Foals)
Animals shipped: 46 (13 Studs, 17 Mares, 16 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 4
Acute: 2
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*Sorrel colt, puncture wound in front of left hip, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to hopeless prognosis for recovery from acute injury
*18 year old sorrel mare, emaciated and weak, BCS 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery from pre-existing condition
*16 year old palomino, infected and draining wound on right hip, BCS 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition
*3 year old black mare, intermuscular tear in the right hip, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery from acute injury
Dec. 13, 2018
Summary: Mostly clear, winds 2-8 MPH, Low 20 degrees F., High 42 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 61 (22 Studs, 22 Mares, 17 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*Sorrel foal, broken right leg (pre-existing), was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
Dec. 12, 2018
Summary: Partly cloudy, winds 9-22 MPH gusting to 35 MPH, Low 27 degrees F., High 44 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Animals shipped: 42 (13 Studs, 18 Mares, 11 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*11 year old bay stud, emaciated and weak, BCS 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
Dec. 11, 2018
Summary: Partly cloudy, winds 5-18 MPH, Low 28 degrees F., High 44 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 57 (25 Studs, 21 Mares, 11 Foals)
Animals shipped: 32 (20 Studs, 8 Mares, 4 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Dec. 10, 2018
Summary: Partly cloudy, winds 0-7 MPH, Low 25 degrees F., High 43 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 21 (9 Studs, 8 Mares, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 86 (26 Studs, 39 Mares, 21 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Dec. 9, 2018
Summary: Morning fog then mostly clear, winds 2-14 MPH, Low 27 degrees F., High 43 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 80 (32 Studs, 30 Mares, 18 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Dec. 8, 2018
Summary: Sunny, winds 0-6 MPH, Low 28 degrees F., High 46 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 11 (5 Studs, 3 Mares, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 40 (23 Studs, 7 Mares, 10 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Dec. 7, 2018
Summary: Overcast skies, winds 0-15 MPH, Low 29 degrees F., High 43 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 35 (12 Studs, 13 Mares, 10 Foals)
Animals shipped: 82 (15 Studs, 43 Mares, 24 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*14 year old buckskin mare, emaciated and weak, BCS 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition
Dec. 6, 2018
Summary: Overcast skies, winds 0-5 MPH, Low 27 degrees F., High 41 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 97 (28 Studs, 45 Mares, 24 Foals)
Animals shipped: 128 (53 Studs, 43 Mares, 32 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*3 year old sorrel stud, sway back, BCS 2.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
*20+ year old bay mare, severe tooth loss, BCS 1.5, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
Dec. 5, 2018
Summary: Overcast skies, winds 0-7 MPH, Low 23 degrees F., High 30 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 115 (44 Studs, 42 Mares, 29 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3
*11 year old bay mare, fractured skull, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
*3 year old sorrel stud, bad knee, emaciated and weak, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
*16 year old bay mare, both hocks were swollen, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
Dec. 4, 2018
Summary: Overcast skies, winds 5-18 MPH, Low 18 degrees F., High 27 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 14 (7 Studs, 4 Mares, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 77 (53 Studs, 16 Mares, 8 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
*4 year old bay stud, broken back leg, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
Dec. 3, 2018
Summary: Mostly clear, winds 0-9 MPH, Low 14 degrees F., High 39 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 53 (26 Studs, 19 Mares, 8 Foals)
Animals shipped: 42 (0 Studs, 27 Mares, 15 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3
*15 year old bay stud missing an eye, BCS 3, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing conditions.
*11 year old bay mare, BCS 1, emaciated and weak, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition.
*20 year old bay mare, BCS 1.5, severe tooth loss, was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070, due to poor prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing conditions.
Dec. 2, 2018
Summary: Mostly clear, winds 0-12 MPH, Low 16 degrees F., High 43 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 72 (29 Studs, 28 Mares, 15 Foals)
Animals shipped: 31 (11 Studs, 16 Mares, 4 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Dec. 1, 2018
Summary: Cloudy, winds 0-8 MPH, Low 28 degrees F., High 44 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 20 (11 Studs, 5 Mares, 4 Foals)
Animals shipped: 77 (31 Studs, 26 Mares, 20 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Nov. 30, 2018
Summary: Cloudy, rain mixed with snow and light hail, winds 0-5 MPH, Low 40 degrees F., High 45 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 68 (28 Studs, 26 Mares, 14 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Nov. 29, 2018
Summary: Cloudy, rain mixed with snow, winds 7-18 MPH, Low 32 degrees F., High 41 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 20 (6 Studs, 11 Mares, 3 Foals)
Animals shipped: 122 (51 Studs, 36 Mares, 35 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Nov. 28, 2018
Summary: Mostly cloudy, snow in the afternoon, winds 4-8 MPH, Low 30 degrees F., High 43 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 60 (18 Studs, 26 Mares, 16 Foals)
Animals shipped: 42 (0 Studs, 39 Mares, 3 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Nov. 27, 2018
Summary: Mostly cloudy, Winds 6-15 MPH, Low 18 degrees F., High 52 degrees F.
Animals gathered: 105 (33 Studs, 49 Mares, 23 Foals)
Animals shipped: 0 (0 Studs, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
*7-year-old black mare with a BCS 3 and missing an eye was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition
*Yearling with a BCS 2 and blind in both eyes was humanely euthanized in accordance with IM 2015-070 due to a hopeless prognosis for recovery due to pre-existing condition
