The Bureau of Land Management will begin the Caliente Complex wild horse bait and water gather
CALIENTE, Nev. – On or around March 15, 2026, the Caliente field office will conduct a wild horse gather on the Caliente Complex (complex) surrounding the Community Caliente, Nevada in Lincoln County. 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 Caliente Complex is located southern Lincoln County, Nevada. The Complex encompasses approximately 911,892 acres of BLM-managed and private and other lands The Complex consists of nine HAs and is managed for zero wild horses.
The last gather on the complex was in 2024. The current estimated population is approximately 1,503 not including the 2026 foal crop.
The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 350 excess wild horses.
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.
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 Indian Lake Off-Range Corrals, located in Fallon, 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 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 Caliente Complex Wild Horse Gather Final Environmental Assessment signed on April 27, 2018 and can be viewed on the BLM National NEPA Register.
Gather reports and additional information will be posted on the 2026 Caliente Complex Wild Horse Bait and Water Gather website. For technical information, contact the Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, Tyler Reese, at (775)726-8100. 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.