BLM to begin the FY25 Maverick-Medicine HMA and Wood Hills area emergency wild horse gather
Nevada
Media Contact
BLM Office:
Elko, Nev. – The Elko District Offices will begin an emergency gather on or about August 8, 2025, to remove approximately 215 excess wild horses from drought-stricken areas and private lands located within the administrative boundaries of the Elko District.
The Maverick-Medicine HMA is part of the Triple B Complex, which consists of the Triple B, Maverick-Medicine and western 1/3 of the Antelope Valley HMAs and the Cherry Spring Wild Horse Territory. The Wood Hills area is outside the Spruce-Pequop HMA which is part of the Antelope Complex, which includes the Antelope, Antelope Valley, Goshute, and Spruce-Pequop HMAs.
The gather aims to humanely and safely remove drought-impacted wild horses from the Maverick-Medicine HMA within the Triple B Complex and Wood Hills area outside the Spruce-Pequop HMA. Due to exceptional drought, minimal forage growth on the range has jeopardized both the health of the land and the wild horse population. The gather is essential to address herd overpopulation and ensure the future well-being of both the horses and their habitat.
The BLM’s priority is to conduct safe, efficient wild horse gathers with a focus on humane care and treatment. Using the best available science and handling practices, the BLM and its contractors will meet gather goals in line with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy.
To protect the safety and well-being of the wild horses and ensure the effectiveness of gather operations, only essential personnel will be allowed at trap sites. Wild horses are naturally hesitant to approach bait and water traps when there is excessive activity in the area, so limiting access helps reduce stress and increase gather success.
All wild horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center in Reno, Nevada. Upon arrival, they will receive veterinary care and be prepared for placement through the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sale Program. For more information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, please visit www.blm.gov/whb.
The BLM is conducting the gather under the Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2017-0010-EA.
Gather reports and additional information for the “2025 Maverick-Medicine and Wood Hills Area Emergency Wild Horse Gather” will be posted on the 2025 Maverick-Medicine and Wood Hills Emergency Gather webpage. For more information, contact the Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, Bruce Thompson, at (775) 753-0286.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.