Wild horses on public lands in the Calico Complex

2022 Calico Complex Wild Horse Gather

The Bureau of Land Management’s, Black Rock Field Office began the Calico Complex wild horse gather on September 10, 2022; gather operations concluded on October 1, 2022.

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. The action is also necessary to reduce overpopulation of wild horses within and outside the HMAs, where there currently is not enough water to support the number of horses in the area, and to prevent further degradation of public lands by helping to balance herd size.

By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the Black Rock Field Office aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer. Removing excess wild horses would also enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Sierra Front Northwest Resource Advisory Council.

Details of Gather:

The complex includes Black Rock Range, Calico Mountains, Granite Range McGee Mountain and Warm Springs Herd Management Areas (HMAs) which encompasses over 584,101 acres and has an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 572 – 952 wild horses. A helicopter survey conducted in May 2022, documented approximately 1,593 wild horses within and directly outside of the Complex – nearly 2-times above the high end of the established AML. The BLM plans to gather 1,076 by helicopter-assisted method and remove approximately 1,036 wild horses. Approximately 40 mares will be treated with fertility control.

All animals identified for removal will be transported to the Indian Lakes Off-Range Corrals, located in Fallon, Nevada. Upon arrival to the facility, all animals will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. 

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 and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. Once gather operations have begun, those wanting to view gather operations must call the gather hotline nightly at (775) 861-6700 to receive specific instructions on each days’ meeting location and time.

Adoption Information:

For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

Background:

Horses within the complex are descendants of ranch horses that either escaped or were released into the area. The majority of horses exhibit a bay, brown or sorrel color pattern, however there are a number of paint, palomino and buckskin horses as well. It is not possible to provide any specific information on parentage of wild horses in this area.

The BLM last conducted a gather of wild horses from the Calico Complex  in January 2012; at that time, the BLM removed 960 excess wild horses. This current gather is classified as a selective removal.

Location: The Calico Complex is located in northwest Humboldt County and approximately 110 miles north of Reno, Nevada. 

Topography/Vegetation: The terrain consists of steep north-south trending mountains made up of volcanic materials, separated by narrow valleys. Elevations within the HMA range from 4,000 feet along the Black Rock Desert to 8,491 feet at Division Peak. Climate is characterized by warm dry days, cool nights and low yearly precipitation that ranges from 6 to 8 inches at lower elevations to approximately 14 inches at higher elevations.

Vegetation varies from salt desert shrub communities along the Black Rock Desert, to low and big sagebrush/grass communities with intermingled mountain browse at upper elevations. Typical species in the salt desert shrub community include shadscale, budsage, bailey and black greasewood, indian ricegrass, and squirrel tail. Species in the low sagebrush community include low sage, needle grasses, squirrel tail and Sandbergs bluegrass. Species typical of the sagebrush/grass and mountain browse communities include mountain big sagebrush, bitterbrush, mountain mahogany, aspen, snowberry, rabbit brush, horse brush, needle grasses, basin wild rye, squirrel tail, indian paintbrush, arrowleaf balsamroot, and phlox.

Wildlife: The area is also utilized by domestic livestock during part of the year and numerous wildlife species. Typical wildlife species found in the area include mule deer, California bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, chukar partridge, coyote, bobcats, and various rodents.

Daily Gather Reports

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 45 - 73 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 61 (31 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Friday, September 30, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 56 - 74 degrees, and light breezes.

Animals Gathered: 61 (31 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Thursday, September 29, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 41 - 80 degrees, partly cloudy and breezy.

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 51 (34 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 4 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

1) 20-year old Bay Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Chronic/Pre-Existing-Fracture: Left back leg


Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 52 - 74 degrees, partly cloudy and breezy.

Animals Gathered: 31 (15 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 4 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 37 (0 Stallions, 31 Mares, and 6 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

1) 2-year old Bay Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Physical Defect/Congenital; Right front knee


Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 60 - 82 degrees, clear and breezy.

Animals Gathered: 36 (15 Stallions, 19 Mares, and 2 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

1) 20+-year old Black Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Fracture: Chronic/Pre-Existing; left front knee

2) 6-year old Bay Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Fracture: Chronic/Pre-Existing; left front knee


Monday, September 26, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 60 - 85 degrees

Animals Gathered: 25 (6 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 4 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

1) 6-year old Palomino Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blindness; missing eye


Sunday, September 25, 2022

Summary: No gather activities today; only shipped horses

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 34 (7 Stallions, 18 Mares, and 9 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Saturday, September 24, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 45 - 75 degrees, sunny all day and breezy in the afternoon.

Animals Gathered: 16 (8 Stallions, 6 Mares, and 2 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 33 (23 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 3

1) 20+-year old Black Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. previous Leg Fracture; Fracture to left front fetlock

2) 20+-year old Buckskin Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blindness; Blind-both

3) 6-year old Cremello Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blindness; Blind-both


Friday, September 23, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 45 - 75 degrees, sunny all day and breezy in the afternoon.

Animals Gathered: 55 (25 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 70 (15 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 16 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

1) 8-year old Bay Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Chronic: Deformity; Right Front Knee


Thursday, September 22, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 45 - 73 degrees, breezy in the afternoon.

Animals Gathered: 71 (16 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 16 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 73 (37 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 13 Foals)  

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

 

1) 20+-year old Red Dun Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Chronic: Deformity; Both front knees

2) 12-year old Dun Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Chronic: Deformity; Left front knee.


Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 41 - 64 degrees, precipitation in the morning, breezy and partly cloudy in the afternoon.

Animals Gathered: 60 (17 Stallions, 30 Mares, and 13 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 51 – 70 degrees, in the morning breezy and clear

Animals Gathered: 5 (1 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 38 (12 Stallions, 19 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Monday, September 19, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 55 – 75 degrees, overcast, light precipitation in the morning, breezy and clear in the afternoon.

Animals Gathered: 44 (16 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 36 (12 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 3

1) 6-year old Blue Roan Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Leg Fracture; Pre-existing Fracture to left hind fetlock

2) 4-year old Cremello Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blind in both eyes and cryptorchid

3) 25+-year old Black Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Leg Fracture; Pre-existing Fracture to right hind hock


Sunday, September 18, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 55 – 75 degrees, overcast, breezy with light smoke.

Animals Gathered: 42 (17 Stallions, 18 Mares, and 7 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 72 (24 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 9 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

1) 14-year old Buckskin Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blindness; Missing left eye


Saturday, September 17, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 51 – 79 degrees, overcast, breezy with gusts in the afternoon 10 – 15 mph.

Animals Gathered: 66 (23 Stallions, 34 Mares, and 9 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 81 (37 Stallions, 31 Mares, and 13 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 3

1) 17-year old Bay Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blindness; Missing left eye

2) 4-year old Bay Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Blindness; Blind

3) 13-year old Sorrel Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Fracture: Chronic/Pre-Existing; Fracture left rear cannon bone


Friday, September 16, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 51 – 84 degrees, light breezes, slightly smokey.

Animals Gathered: 93 (41 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 13 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

1) 20+-year old Sorrel Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Dental Abnormality - Severe Tooth Loss, BCS 2


Thursday, September 15, 2022

Summary: No gather operations today; moved temporary holding and set up new trap further south in the Complex


Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 52 – 61 degrees, light breezes, slightly smokey and overcast.

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 22 (8 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 2 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 58 – 85 degrees, light breezes, slightly smokey, overcast with brief light precipitation.

Animals Gathered: 23 (9 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 2 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 105 (53 Stallions, 43 Mares, and 9 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

1) 4-year old Sorrel Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. missing an eye - blindness

2) 20+-year old Sorrel Stud, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Previous Injury: Herniated Diaphragm Congenital; Evidence of previously broken rib and soft tissue injury


Monday, September 12, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 52 – 81 degrees, light breezes, slightly smokey, brief light precipitation.

Animals Gathered: 54 (24 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 9 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 81* (36 Stallions, 30 Mares*, and 15 Foals) *Corrected number of Mares shipped which also corrected total

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


Sunday, September 11, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 58 – 91 degrees, light breezes, slightly smokey.

Animals Gathered: 96 (38 Stallions, 42 Mares, and 16 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 3

1) 3-year old Sorrel Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. missing right eye - blindness

2) 17-year old Bay Mare,  euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Physical Defect: Congenital; sway back

3) 6-month old Bay Filly,  euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Physical Defect: Congenital; sway back


Saturday, September 10, 2022

Summary: Temperatures ranged from 55 – 86 degrees, light winds and light smoke from wildfires in California

Animals Gathered: 85 (28 Stallions, 42 Mares, and 15 Foals)  

Animals Shipped: 43 (0 Stallions, 28 Mares, and 15 Foals)  

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

1) 4-year old Black Mare, euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. missing right eye - blindness

2) 4-year old Bay Mare,  euthanized in accordance with PIM 2021-007 - Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety. Previous puncture injury, deeply infected right rear fetlock

Gather Status

As of 10/1/2022

Animals Gathered: 863 (330 Stallions, 400 Mares, and 133 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 837 (329 Stallions, 376 Mares, and 132 Foals) 

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 
  GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)  

Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 

Deaths: 26
-Sudden / Acute:
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 26

Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"