2026 Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The Bureau of Land Management plans to gather and remove up to 37 wild horses from the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range using low-stress bait trap methods. This action supports the long-term health and viability of the herd by reducing pressure on limited forage and water resources and keeping population levels within the range the landscape can reliably sustain.
As of spring 2026, the range contained an estimated 187 wild horses, not including foals less than one year old. Scientific analysis of forage, water availability, and habitat conditions informed the updated Appropriate Management Level of 107 to 120 horses. Maintaining the herd within this range helps protect wild horses from the risks associated with overpopulation, such as inadequate forage, greater competition for water, and increased potential for injuries or conflict as animals move outside their normal range in search of resources.
To help stabilize herd growth, the BLM will also treat up to 43 mares with fertility control and release them back to the range. Fertility control reduces reproduction, allowing the herd to stay within a sustainable population range and helping to reduce the need for large gathers in the future.
This planned gather is consistent with the 2015 Billings Approved Resource Management Plan, as amended, and is authorized under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976.
Details of Gather:
Anticipated dates: On or about October 19, 2026
Type of gather: Bait trap gather using a temporary corral with hay/water attractants
Numbers: Approximately 100 horses will be gathered; up to 37 will be removed; remaining mares not removed will be treated with fertility control and released back to the range
Office responsible: BLM Billings Field Office in coordination with the BLM Montana/Dakotas State Office
Other pertinent info: Operations follow the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP); temporary public access closures may be implemented around trap sites under 43 CFR 8364.1; genetic monitoring samples will be collected during operations. View the Closure Order and map.
Public Observation:
Public viewing/closure areas map
Through Trap viewing area map
Pond Trap Site (Upper Elevation Zone)
- Location & Setting: Approximately 20 yards east of Krueger’s Pond at a low point in a small dish-shaped drainage; selected due to proximity to a consistent water source frequently visited by upper-elevation bands.
- Public Viewing Opportunity: No designated public viewing area is available at or near this trap. The only potential vantage point (~230 yards west, uphill and behind trees) lies on private land, is directly above a heavily used trail, and is within line of sight of the trap—conditions that could distract or spook horses and increase safety risks.
- Rationale: Close proximity of viewers could inadvertently or intentionally disturb horses or operations impacting gather effectiveness. Topography does not allow a safe, non-interfering viewing location on public lands near this trap.
- Access During Closures: Gather-related closures apply only to motorized vehicle travel within the designated route closure area (see map); pedestrian access outside closure boundaries remains permitted where otherwise authorized, however the public will not be able to see the trap site.
Trough Trap Site (Southern PMWHR, near Bad Pass Trough)
- Location & Setting: Situated on BLM land east of the BLM–NPS boundary at the southern end of the range, adjacent to Bad Pass Trough. The trap lies in a low area with surrounding hills.
- Public Viewing Opportunity: A designated viewing area is recommended ~330 yards to the southwest of the trap. Due to terrain, a farther BLM-based vantage point that still provides visibility is not feasible.
How to Access the Trough Trap Viewing Area
- Parking to Viewing Route: The route from the designated parking location to the viewing area will be flagged; boundaries of the viewing zone will also be clearly marked with flagging to keep visitors within the designated observation location.
- Safety Note: Wild horses are not accustomed to human interaction. Any spooking can cause serious injury to horses or personnel. All visitors must follow on-site instructions from BLM staff.
Britton Springs
Public Viewing Opportunities: Britton Springs Administrative Site will serve as a temporary holding facility for captured horses while gather operations are in progress. The public will have two opportunities per month to have a guided tour of the Britton Springs corrals while horses are temporarily being held there. The first opportunity will be Thursday October 29, 2026, and then another opportunity on Thursday November 12, 2026. Viewings will be no longer than 30 minutes per group and the maximum number of individuals per group will be 5. Individuals must RSVP by calling the Billings Field Office to reserve a viewing on a first come first serve basis. The viewing hours on the indicated days will be time slots from 1:00 – 1:30 PM, 1:30 – 2:00 PM, 2:00 – 2:30 PM, and 2:30 – 3:00 PM. The availability of these viewings will be dependent on staff availability and the status of ongoing gather operations at the administrative site. If staff is not available or handling of horses must be conducted at the viewing time period tours could be cancelled and/or rescheduled.
For more information about the viewing area or closure, contact the Billings Field Office: BLM_MT_Billings_FO@blm.gov | 406-896-5013.
Adoption Information:
Horses removed from the range will be shipped to a BLM off range corral facility for veterinary evaluation, vaccinations, and freeze marking before being made available for adoption or sale.
Background:
The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range spans roughly 38,000 acres across Montana and Wyoming and supports a small but iconic herd. The Appropriate Management Level is 107–120 horses, but the current population is approximately 185 horses. Overpopulation has contributed to deteriorating upland and riparian conditions and increased competition for scarce water and forage.
Gather Status
This gather will begin on October 19, 2026.