< All Press Releases

The Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2023 Desatoya Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Stillwater Field Office

Media Contact:

CARSON CITY, Nev. – On September 30, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2023 Desatoya Herd Management Area wild horse gather near Fallon, Nevada. The BLM gathered 59 wild horses, removed 12 excess wild horses and released 14 stallions back to the range. Thirty-three mares were treated with GonaCon Equine, a population suppression control vaccine; 12 of those mares were previously vaccinated and released back to the range. In approximately 30 days the remaining 21 treated mares will receive a booster will be released back to the range within the Desatoya HMA.
 

The purpose of the gather was to remove excess wild horses from within and outside the Desatoya HMA and reduce the wild horse population growth rates to achieve and maintain the established appropriate management level (AML). This action was needed in order to achieve and maintain a population size within the established AML, protect rangeland resources from further deterioration associated with the current overpopulation, and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple use relationship on public lands.

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 Sierra Front-Northern 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 two creeks within the HMA provide habitat for Lahontan cutthroat trout (a threatened species).

“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the management area, as well as the wild horses in the area,” said Kim Dow, Carson City District Manager.

The BLM transported the animals removed from the range to the Indian Lakes Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corrals located 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 BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/nevada-carson-city-do/2023

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.