The Bureau of Land Management will begin the Antelope and Triple B wild horse bait and water gather
WELLS, Nev. – On or around March 15, 2026, the Elko and Ely District Offices will begin a wild horse gather on the Antelope and Triple B complexes (complex) located about 30 miles south of Wells in Elko, 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 Antelope Complex consists of the Antelope, Antelope Valley, Goshute and Spruce-Pequop herd management areas (HMAs) and spans 1,183,340 acres of a mix of private and other public lands. It has an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 427-789 wild horses. As of March 2026, the BLM estimated approximately 5,067 wild horses were within the Antelope Complex, which is nearly 6.4-times the established AML for the complex, and does not include the 2026 foal crop. The most recent gather was completed in 2025.
The Triple B Complex consists of the Triple B, Maverick-Medicine and Antelope Valley (west of U.S. Hwy 93) HMAs and Cherry Springs Wild Horse Territory (WHT) and spans 1,632,234 acres of a mix of private and other public lands. It has an AML of 472-889. As of March 2026, the BLM estimated approximately 1,844 wild horses were within the Triple B Complex, which is more than double the established AML for the complex, and does not include the 2026 foal crop. The most recent gather was completed in 2025.
The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 700 wild horses from the Antelope Complex and and 300 wild horses from the Triple B Complex.
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. This action is also necessary to reduce overpopulation of wild horses and burros within and outside the area.
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, mule deer and elk. Removing excess wild horses and burros supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Nevada Resource Advisory Councils.
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 from the Antelope Complex will be transported to the Indian Lakes Off-Range Corrals, located in Fallon, Nevada. All animals identified for removal from the Triple B Complex will be transported to the Sutherland Off-Range Corrals, located in Sutherland, Utah. 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 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.
The BLM is conducting the gather under the Antelope and Triple B Complexes Wild Horse Gather & Herd Management Area Plan Environmental Assessment. Those documents can be viewed on the BLM National NEPA Registry. Gather reports and additional information will be posted on the 2026 Antelope/Triple B wild horse bait and water gather webpage. For technical information, contact Bruce Thompson, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at (775) 753-0200.
For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
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.