Bureau of Land Management to begin the 2026 Callaghan Complex Wild Horse Gather

Battle Mountain, Nev. – On or about July 10, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management plans to begin a wild horse gather on and around the Callaghan Complex (Complex), using the helicopter-assisted method.

The Complex consists of the Callaghan, South Shoshone, Bald Mountain, Hickison (north of US Route 50) HMAs, and North Shoshone HA. The Complex also includes the area spanning between HMA boundaries where wild horses and burros currently reside. The Complex lies entirely within Lander County, expanding from approximately 7 miles south of Battle Mountain to approximately 6 miles north of Austin. The gather area encompasses approximately 1,145,515 acres. 

The BLM operation aims to remove approximately 2,000 excess wild horses from the Complex. Removal numbers include dependent foals. Burros that have migrated into the Complex will also be removed.

The goal of this gather to make progress towards achieving AML and conform with the Herd Management Area Plan, which was approved in February 2026. Additionally wild horses are wandering onto Nevada State Highway 305 causing public safety hazards.     

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 to reduce overpopulation of wild horses and burros within and outside the area, where there currently is not enough water to support the number of horses and burros in the region, and to prevent further degradation of public lands by balancing herd size. 

By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer. Removing excess wild horses and burros supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northern Great Basin/Sierra Front 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 (Reno, NV) and Indian Lakes (Fallon, NV) Off-Range Corrals. 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 current staffing levels and to ensure the safety of the operation, public observation opportunities will be offered in accordance with the BLM’s gather observation/visitation protocol and any gather-specific ground rules on Tuesdays through Saturdays during gather operations. Members of the public are welcome to view the gather operations on scheduled observation days, provided that 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. Once gather operations have begun, those wanting to view gather operations must RSVP to 775-625-0440 by 5PM prior to the day of observation day and they will receive specific instructions on each day’s meeting location and time by 9PM that night. 

Gather Observation Schedule is as follows:

• July 10 – July 18
• July 22 – July 27
• July 31 – August 5
• August 9 – August 14
• August 19 – August 25
• August 29 – August 31

Should the gather be extended, call the RSVP phone number to get that schedule.

Other than those public observation opportunities, the gather area will be temporarily closed to members of the public in accordance with 43 C.F.R. § 8364.1. The BLM’s decision and gather documents dated March 15, 2026, go to the BLM National NEPA Registry.

Find gather reports and additional information about the 2026 Callaghan Complex gather online. For technical information, contact Aimee Bolinger, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at (775) 455-2631 or [email protected].

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