BLM to conduct wild horse gather in Antelope Valley & Goshute HMAs
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ELKO, Nev. – Due to deteriorating animal health from lack of water and forage on the range, the Bureau of Land Management will begin a wild horse water gather on or about September 18, in the Antelope Valley and Goshute Herd Management Areas (HMAs) in the Wells Field Office. The gather of approximately 900 horses will be conducted using the bait and water trap method. No helicopters will be used.
As of March 2018, the number of wild horses on the two HMAs was eight times the appropriate management level (AML), which is the number of horses the water and forage on the range can sustainably support. The population estimate for the Antelope Valley was 1,755 with an AML of 155-259 wild horses. The population of Goshute, where the AML is 74-123, is estimated at 1,429.
Excess wild horses have utilized the Dolly Varden springs (private land) due to the limited water resources available on public lands. During the summer and fall months water resources within the Antelope Valley and Goshute HMAs provide very limited water for wild horse-use. Wild horses have been documented trailing between the Goshute HMA and Antelope Valley HMA to water at Dolly Varden springs.
The BLM’s priority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild horse gather operations while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals gathered. The BLM and its contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting our overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with current BLM policy, standard operating procedures, and contract requirements.
The horses identified for removal will be transported to the Indian Lakes Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Fallon, Nev., where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program. For information on how to adopt a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
Gather reports and additional information are posted on BLM’s website at https://go.usa.gov/xP4mv.
In addition, updates on the gather, follow the BLM Nevada Facebook page at https://goo.gl/abcBMM. For technical information, contact Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, Bruce Thompson at 775-753-0286 or b50thomp@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 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.