The BLM will begin the Spring Mountains Complex wild horse and burro bait and water gather

PAHRUMP, Nev. – On or around March 15, 2026, the Pahrump Field Office will begin a wild horse and burro gather on the Spring Mountains Complex (complex) located about 60 miles west and northwest of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. The BLM will conduct gather operations utilizing temporary bait and water traps consisting of a series of corral panels stocked with water/forage; no helicopters will be used. 

The complex has three Herd Management Areas (HMAs.) 

• Johnnie HMA encompasses 177,237 acres of BLM lands and 2,131 acres of a mix of private and other public lands which totals 179,368 acres. It has an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 65-108 wild burros and BLM does not manage this HMA for wild horses. 
• Red Rock HMA encompasses 157,443 acres of BLM lands and 4,526 acres of a mix of private and other public lands which totals 161,969 acres. It has an AML of 16 – 27 wild horses and 29 – 49 wild burros. 
• Wheeler Pass HMA encompasses 273,898 acres of BLM lands and 1,677 of a mix of private and other private lands which totals 275,575 acres. It has an AML of 47 – 66 wild horses and 20 – 35 wild burros.

The estimated population of animals on the complex is 749 horses and 1,048 burros across the three HMAs not including the 2026 foal crop. The most recent gather was completed in 2024 in the Red Rock HMA and 2023 in the Johnnie HMA. The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 425 wild horses and 425 wild burros.

The purpose of the gather is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and burros 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. The action is also necessary for public safety due the number of horses and burros on the surrounding highways.

The gather is critical to ensuring the health of the HMA lands as well as the wild horses or burros in the area, both of which are in jeopardy due to herd overpopulation. By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species including mule deer, sage grouse, blue grouse, eagles, and hawks. Removing excess wild horses and burros supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.

BLM’s priority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild horse and burro gather operations while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals gathered. The BLM and its contractors are committed to using the best available science and handling practices for wild horses and burros while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program.

All animals identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Off-Range Corrals, located in Reno, Nevada. Upon arrival to the facility, all animals will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program. 

Due to the nature of the bait and water trap method, wild horses and burros are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity; therefore, only essential gather operations personnel will be allowed at the trap site during gather operations. 

Temporary closures will be put in place around bait and water trap locations. The closure is necessary to protect public health and safety. The BLM's riority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild horse and burro gather operations while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals gathered. Wild horses and burros are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity. Therefore, only essential gather operation personnel will be allowed at the trap site during operations. BLM will notify the public about the location of temporary closures in accordance with 43 CFR 8364.1

The BLM is conducting the gather under the Spring Mountains Complex Wild Horses and Burros Herd Management Plan Environmental Assessment. NEPA documents can be viewed via the BLM National NEPA Register.

Gather reports and additional information will be posted on the gather website. For technical information, contact Allison Meaney, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at (702) 515-5000.

For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.