2026 Jakes Fire Emergency Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The gather aims to humanely and safely remove wild horses from the Snowstorm Mountain and Little Humboldt HMAs within the Owyhee Complex within the boundaries of the Jakes Fire. Due due to the vegetation and drought-impacts the range and has jeopardized both the health of the land and the wild horse population. The gather is essential to address herd overpopulation and ensure the future well-being of both the horses and their habitat.
Details of Gather:
The BLM will begin a wild horse gather around January 26, 2026, using helicopter assist-method. Approximately 182 excess wild horses will be captured and transported to the Winnemucca off-range corrals where they will receive veterinary care and be prepared for the BLM’s adoption program.
Public Observation:
To keep the public informed and allow reasonable access to gather operations, agency staff plan to schedule daily public visitation opportunities to view the gather operations.
A Public Affairs Officer and Law Enforcement Officer will meet the observers each morning at the pre-determined meeting location, to escort the group to the gather and/or holding sites each day. Please make yourself familiar with the gather protocols. The “What to Know before You Go” information and “Visitation Protocol and Ground Rules” are provided in the links to the right.
All media and/or observers wanting to go to the gather site will need to RSVP by 5:30 P.M. the night before they wish to observe the gather by calling 775-623-1567. You will receive a call back no later than 9 P.M. with daily meeting times and locations.
Adoption Information:
Information for wild horse adoptions can be found on the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption page.
Background:
The Owyhee Complex encompasses approximately 1.055M total acres. The gather area will be in and around the Little Humboldt, Snowstorm Mountains Herd Management Areas (HMAs).
By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the HRTFO aims to 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 The gather is expected to last a week.
- Daily Gather Reports
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (FINAL REPORT)
Summary: 27–42 degrees, breezy and partially sunny
Animals Gathered: 26 (11 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 26 (11 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 1(1 Stallion self released from the trap without injury)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
Summary: 21–48 degrees, breezy and partially sunny
Animals Gathered: 70 (37 Stallions, 33 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 69 (37 Stallions, 33 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
Buckskin stud, age 6, Chronic/Pre-existing, Blind
Black Mare, age 12, Chronic/Pre-existing, Physical Defect: Acquired, Right front fetlock
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026
Summary: 28 - 37 degrees, partially sunny with light winds
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 37 (25 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
Bay stud, age 12, Chronic/Pre-existing, Lameness, Severe Arthritis (right knee)
Bay stud, age 10, Chronic/Pre-existing, Lameness, Severe Arthritis (left knee)
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026
Summary: 28 - 37 degrees, partially sunny with light winds
Animals Gathered: 24 (12 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 41 (10 Stallions, 31 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
Roan Mare, age 15, Chronic/Pre-existing, Large Abscess (right hip)
Sorrel Stud, age 10, Chronic/Pre-existing, Lameness - Severe Arthritis (right rear leg)
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
Summary: 30 -39 degrees, sunny with light winds
Animals Gathered: 60 (27 Stallions, 33 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
Sorrel, yearling stud, Chronic/Pre-existing, Physical Defect: Developmental - Tendon Laxity
Gather Status
As of January 30, 2026 (FINAL REPORT)
Animals Gathered: 180 (87 Stallions, 93 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 173 (82 Stallions, 91 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 7
-Sudden / Acute: 0
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 7
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"