2021 Jackson Mountain HMA Emergency Wild Horse Gather

The Bureau of Land Management’s Black Rock Field Office has concluded the Jackson Mountains Herd Management Area Emergency Wild Horse Gather on Oct. 1, 2021.

Purpose of Gather:

The purpose of the gather is critical to prevent further deteriorating body condition of the wild horses in the area due to extremely limited water sources and forage, undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, and 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/burros and Burros Act.

As of March 1, 2021, the population of wild horses/burros in the HMA was estimated at 848; not including the 2021 foal crop, the current estimated population is 1,018 – this is approximately 470 % above the appropriate management level (AML) of 130-217 wild horses.

Details of Gather:

The gather began on September 15, 2021 and will be utilizing helicopter-assisted drive trapping. The Black Rock Field Office plans to gather and remove 600 horses.

The horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Reno, Nevada, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program.

Public Observation:

Visitors to the gather, including all media and members of the public, must RSVP by calling (775) 623-1567 – you must make your reservation by 5:30 p.m. the night before you intend to visit the gather activities. If you have RSVP’d, no later than 5:30 p.m. the night before, you will receive a call back on meeting time and location no later than 9 p.m. that evening. Gather operations are dependent on the weather and could change with little or no notice.

Visitors to the gather will meet at specified locations that are subject to change; locations will be determined based on the location of the traps.

All visitors will need to sign in on the visitor’s log sheet and there will be a short briefing for the day and introductions.

The group, led by either a LEO or BLM Staff, will then caravan out to the gather site of the day and all visitors must stay until gather operations are completed. We may not know the exact location of these sites; therefore, it is extremely important that visitors be flexible.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. We continue to work closely with the Department of the Interior and follow CDC guidance to ensure public and employee spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

The CDC has offered guidance to people recreating on public lands prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders including Governor Sisolak’s standards for individuals, businesses and employers, practice social distancing and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

Adoption Information:

Please visit the BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/whb

Background:

The southern portion of the Jackson Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) is having water and forage shortages due to a large congregation of horses.  The demand to the resources from the current population of horses is more than the resource can provide resulting in body condition of horses declining in the area. 

The Black Rock Field Office (BRFO) last conducted an emergency gather of wild horses/burros from the Jackson Mountain HMA in 2020 due to water shortages in the same area as 2021. The BLM removed 85 wild horses. The current estimated population is 1,018 wild horses in the HMA. Appropriate Management Level is 130-217 wild horses.

Daily Gather Reports

October 1, 2021

Summary: No gather operations were conducted today. The remaining horses were shipped.

Animals Gathered: 0

Animals Shipped: 26 (12 Stallions, 8 Mares, 6 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Deaths: 0


September 30, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light breezes and temperatures between 41 and 82 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 24 (8 Stallions, 11 Mares, 5 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 36 (13 Stallions, 20 Mares, 3 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Animals Released: 0

Deaths: 0


September 29, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with a NW breeze and gusts up to 5 mph and temperatures between 43 and 58 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 15 (5 Stallions, 7 Mares, 3 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 43 (0 Stallions, 30 Mares, 13 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Animals Released: 0

Deaths: 5

- Sudden/Acute: 0

- Preexisting/Chronic: 5

  • 6 year old Grey mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 12 year old Bay stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (lameness/physical defect: previously injured front leg) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • Bay Filly foal was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (tumors/cancer) with poor prognosis for recover
  • 18 year old Grey stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (tumors/cancer) with poor prognosis for recover
  • 20+ year old Sorrel stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (lameness/physical defect: previously injured rear left leg) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 28, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with a NW breeze with gusts up to 5 mph and temperatures between 43 and 58 degrees. 

Animals Gathered: 41 (14 Stallions, 20 Mares, 7 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 34 (34 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Foals)

Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0

Animals Released: 0

Deaths: 4

- Sudden / Acute:

- Preexisting / Chronic: 4

  • 20 year old Bay stud was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished & severe tooth loss) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 20+ year old Grey stud was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished & severe tooth loss) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 16 year old Bay stud was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 16 year old Grey mare was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 27, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with 15 mph winds gusting to 30 mph and temperatures between 50 and 84 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 55 (24 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 9 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 36 (13 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 11 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 4

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 4

  • 3 year old Sorrel mare was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 20+ year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 14 year old Bay mare, was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 15 year old Bay more was euthanized in accordance with in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 26, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with 10 mph winds, with gusts up to 28 mph, and temperatures between 51 and 87 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 9 (3 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 2 Foals) 

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

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

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

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


September 25, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 52 and 84 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 37 (13 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 10 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 43 (3 Stallions, 27 Mares, and 13 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 6

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 6

  • 3 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • Foal Bay filly was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (hernia: developmental)
  • 4 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (Blind in one eye)
  • 20+ year old Black mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • Foal Bay colt was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 20+ year old Bay stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 24, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 49 and 87 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 41 (16 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 10 Foals) 

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

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

Animals Released: 1 (1 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

  • 2 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (hernia: developmental) Foal Brown colt was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (hernia: developmental)

September 23, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 68 and 80 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 23 (5 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 4 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 50 (0 Stallions, 28 Mares, and 22 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

  • 4 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery
  • 20+ year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 22, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 52 and 80 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 30 (9 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 8 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 48 (32 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 0 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

  • 6 year old Bay stud was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (hernia: developmental)
  • 20+ year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 21, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 48 and 84 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 53 (17 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 14 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 54 (0 Stallions, 33 Mares, and 21 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

  • 4 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 20, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 48 and 65 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 73 (23 Stallions, 34 Mares, and 16 Foals) 

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

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

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

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

  • 20+ year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 19, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with 15-20 mph winds with gusts up to 30 mph, and temperatures between 48 and 54 degrees.

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

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

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

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

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


September 18, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with 15-20 mph winds with gusts up to 30 mph, and temperatures between 46 and 68 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 24 (9 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 5 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 46 (13 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 10 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 3

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 3

  • 5 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (hernia: developmental)
  • 2 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (hernia: developmental)
  • Foal Bay filly was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (poor body condition: starvation/malnourished) with poor prognosis for recovery

September 17, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with light winds and temperatures between 50 and 84 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 43 (8 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 11 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 42 (0 Stallions, 30 Mares, and 12 Foals) 

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

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

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0


September 16, 2021

Summary: Gather operations continued with temperatures between 50 and 76 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 18 (4 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 3 Foals) 

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

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

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

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

  • 4 year old Bay mare was euthanized in accordance with IM 2021-007 due to chronic injury (large abscess) with poor prognosis for recovery.

September 15, 2021

Summary: Gather operations began today with moderate winds and temperatures between 50 and 86 degrees.

Animals Gathered: 37 (8 Stallions, 20 Mares, and 9 Foals) 

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

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

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

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Gather Status

As of October 1, 2021

Animals Gathered: 527 (166 Stallions, 245 Mares, and 116 Foals) 

Animals Shipped: 495 (157 Stallions, 227 Mares, and 111 Foals) 

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

Animals Released: 1 (1 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 31 
-Sudden / Acute:
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 31

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

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