The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2026 Caliente Complex wild horse bait and water gather operation
CALIENTE, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2026 Caliente Complex wild horse gather near Caliente, Nevada, on May 28, 2026. The BLM gathered and removed 350 excess wild horses from public lands. Gather operations were conducted using the water and bait trap method.
The purpose of the gather was to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands. The action was necessary due to lack of water, forage, 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 Mohave- Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.
The BLM transported the animals removed from the range to the Indian Lakes Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corrals located in Fallon, Nevada, 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 2026 Caliente Complex Wild Horse Bait and Water Gather website.
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.