Bureau of Land Management concluded the FY2024 East Pershing Complex Wild Horse Gather
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Winnemucca, Nev. – The Humboldt River Field Office has concluded the FY2024 East Pershing Complex (Complex) wild horse gather near Winnemucca, Nev., on February 9, 2024. The gather was concluded due to inclement weather conditions.
The purpose of the gather was to reduce overpopulation of wild horses in and around the Complex area, 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.
Staff gathered 2,692 wild horses and removed 2,689 excess wild horses from public lands. Removed animals include the deaths, of which 0.14% were sudden or acute. Three horses were released back to the range.
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 sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer.
“The gather was critical to ensuring the health of public lands within the East Pershing Complex, and the wild horses, both of which are at risk due to herd overpopulation and severe drought conditions,” said Sam Burton, Winnemucca District Manager.
The animals removed from the range were transported to the Winnemucca Off-Range Corrals located in Paradise Valley, NV, 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/fy-2024-east-pershing .
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.