2022 Fox-Lake Range Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The purpose of the gather is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, 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. By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the Black Rock Field Office (BRFO) aims to address resources issues related to drought and past fire damage and protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer. Removing excess animals will enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health.
Details of Gather:
On or around December 10, 2021, the Black Rock Field Office (BRFO) will begin a wild horse gather in and around the Fox and Lake Range Herd Management Area (HMA) located in central Washoe County, approximately 60 miles north of Reno, Nevada. The Fox-Lake range consists of 172,692 acres of BLM land and 5,032 acres of a mix of private and other public lands for a total of 177,724 acres.
The BRFO plans to gather approximately 88 wild horses, remove approximately 20 excess wild horses, and treat and release approximately 40 mares from the gather area. The released mares will be treated with Gona-Con Equine fertility control. The BRFO will conduct gather operations using the helicopter-assisted method.
Public Observation:
Members of the public are welcome to view the gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff, contractors and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BRFO staff will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands.
The gather staff anticipates that viewing opportunities will be limited due to logistics regarding private land, terrain, and weather. Pending the location of the trap sites, viewing opportunities are subject to change. If the traps are located on privately property, public observation will not be offered. If the traps are on public lands, public observation will be offered daily. Once gather operations have begun, those wanting to view gather operations must call the gather hotline the night before you wish to observe gather operations no later than 5:30 p.m. at (775) 861-6700 to RSVP. It is strongly advised to RSVP due to potential last minute trap site moves.
Adoption Information:
All wild horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corrals near Reno, NV, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
Background:
The total Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the Fox-Lake Range HMA is 122-204. In June, 2020, the BLM conducted an aerial flight or population inventory count where the current estimated population is 154 wild horses, which includes foals born this year. The most recent gather was completed in 2017.
The BRFO is conducting the gather under Smoke Creek Complex Wild Horse and Burro Gather Decision Record signed in April 2018. To view the Decision Record, go to https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/92722/510 .
For technical information, contact Garrett Swisher, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at 775-623-1500 or email BLM_NV_WDO_WHB@blm.gov.
- Daily Gather Reports
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Thursday, Dec 16
Summary: N/A
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 7 (1 Stallions, 6 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 37 Mares)
- GonaCon: 37 (37 Mares) Mares treated w/GonaCon will be held for approximately 30 days until they get their second dose and can be released.Animals Released: 23 (23 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
- 20+ year old Bay Stud was euthanized in accordance with IM2021-007 due to a pre-existing chronic injury (lameness).
- 18 year old Bay Roan Mare was euthanized in accordance with IM2021-007 due to an acute issue (colic).
Wednesday, Dec 15
Summary: 19 – 36 degrees, winds 10 – 15 with gusts to 35mph.
Animals Gathered: 27 (11 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 12 (12 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Tuesday, Dec 14
Summary: 25 – 36 degrees, winds 10 – 15 with gusts to 35.
Animals Gathered: 19 (8 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
- 3 year old Bay Mare was euthanized in accordance with IM2021-007 due to a pre-existing injury (fracture).
Monday, Dec 13
Summary: No gather activities today due to high winds and inclement weather.
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Sunday, Dec 12
Summary: 20-47 degrees, No gather activities today due to high winds.
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Saturday, Dec 11
Summary: 20-47 degrees, light wind intermittent and cloudy skies.
Animals Gathered: 36 (19 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 6 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
- 25+ year old Bay Stallion was euthanized in accordance with IM2021-007 due to acute injury (fracture).
News
Gather Status
As of 12/17/2021
Animals Gathered:
82 Wild Horses (38 Stallions, 44 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped:
19 Wild Horses (13 Stallions, 6 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with GonaCon Fertility Control:
37 Wild Horses (37 Mares)
Animals Released:
23 Wild Horses (23 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 4
-Sudden / Acute: 2
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"