The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2025 Pancake HMA Wild horse bait and water gather operation

Nevada
Media Contact

ELY, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2025 Pancake Herd Management Area wild horse gather near Ely, Nev., on July 27, 2024. The BLM gathered and removed 105 wild excess wild horses from public lands. Gather operations were conducted using the water and bait trap method.

The purpose of the gather was necessary due to lack of water, forage, wildland fire and declining health of the wild horses.

The gather was conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. In addition, 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. 


The BLM transported the animals removed from the range to the the Indian Lakes Off Range Corrals in Fallon, Nev., to be readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program. Wild horses not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. 

Additional gather information is available on the Pancake Gather webpage.


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.