2026 Callaghan Complex Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The purpose of the BLM’s action is to reduce the current wild horse population and growth rates, and to achieve and maintain wild horse population sizes within established AML ranges. The purpose is also to remove wild horses or and burros outside established HMAs within the identified gather area. This action will also adopt and implement HMAPs consistent with the authority provided in 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 4700 for the HMAs within the Callaghan Complex.
The need for the action is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, and to restore a TNEB and multiple-use relationship on the public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333 (b) of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-195, as amended) the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 43 CFR §4700, and policies (WFRHBA).
Details of Gather:
The goal of this gather is to capture approximately 2,000 excess wild horses from within or outside the Callaghan Complex utilizing the helicopter drive trap. The Callaghan Complex consists of the Callaghan, South Shoshone, Bald Mountain, Hickison (north of US Route 50) HMAs, and North Shoshone HA. The Complex also includes the area spanning in between HMA boundaries where wild horses and burros currently reside. The Complex lies entirely within Lander County, expanding from approximately 7 miles south of Battle Mountain to approximately 6 miles north of Austin. The gather area encompasses approximately 1,145,515 acres.
The Callaghan Complex’s wild horse estimated population greatly exceeds the established AML range of 323-552 wild horses. Wild horse are frequently moving on the highway 305 right of way and creating public safety issues.
Public Observation:
***Updated observation schedule. Members of the public are welcome to view the gather operations on scheduled observation days, 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 RSVP to 775-625-0440 by 5PM prior to the day of observation day and they will receive specific instructions on each day’s meeting location and time by 9PM. Other than those public observation opportunities, the gather area will be temporarily closed to members of the public in accordance with 43 C.F.R. § 8364.1. To view the BLM’s decision and gather documents dated March 15, 2026, go to the BLM National NEPA Registry.
Gather Observation Schedule is as follows:
- July 10 – July 27
- July 31 – August 5
- August 9 – August 14
- August 19 – August 25
- August 29 – August 31
Adoption Information:
Information for wild horse adoptions can be found on the BLM Wildhorse and Burro Adoption page.
Background:
The Callaghan Complex consists of the Callaghan, South Shoshone, Bald Mountain, Hickison (north of US Route 50) HMAs, and North Shoshone HA. The Complex lies entirely within Lander County, expanding from approximately seven miles south of Battle Mountain to approximately six miles north of Austin. The gather area encompasses approximately 1,145,515 acres of private and public land.
The Callaghan Complex was most recently surveyed in February 2025, at which time approximately 4,489 adult wild horses were estimated to be residing within the Complex. The Complex has a cumulative AML of 323-552.
- Daily Gather Reports
Saturday/Sunday- July 25/26
Summary: Overcast and breezy, temperatures were 68 to 84 degrees. BCS 3 - 5
Animals Gathered: 49 (9 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 16 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 7/25- 35 (12 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 6 Foals)
7/26- 58 (13 stallions, 29 Mares and 16 Foals
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
7 m/o, bay, mare- Died/Unexpected, Undiagnosed
Friday, July 24
Summary: Overcast and breezy, temperatures were 87 to 93 degrees. BCS 3 - 5
Animals Gathered: 41 (16 Stallions, 18 Mares, and 7 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 76 (20 Stallions, 44 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Thursday, July 23
Summary: Overcast and breezy, temperatures were 65 to 90 degrees. BCS 3 - 5
Animals Gathered: 44 (8 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 150 (108 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 16 Foals)
Animals Released: 1 (1 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Wednesday, July 22
Summary: Overcast and breezy, temperatures were 66 to 70 degrees. BCS 3 - 5
Animals Gathered: 67 (26 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 16 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 120 (0 Stallions, 78 Mares, and 42 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 2
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
3 y/o, Bay, mare, died, traumatic head injury
2 y/o, Bay, mare, died, undiagnosed
Tuesday, July 21
Summary: Sunny and breezy, temperatures were 65 to 86 degrees. BCS 3 - 5
Animals Gathered: 239 (94 Stallions, 104 Mares, and 41 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 46 (15 Stallions, 34 Mares, and 13 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
3 m/o, Bay, mare - Died: chronic, undiagnosed/Unknown
Monday, July 20
Summary: Sunny and breezy, temperatures were 71 to 90 degrees. BCS 3 - 5
Animals Gathered: 46(13 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 9 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 71 (24 Stallions, 34 Mares, and 13 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Sunday, July 19
Summary: Sunny and breezy, temperatures were 62 to 90 degrees. BCS 2-4
Animals Gathered: 74 (27 Stallions, 33 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 139 (66 Stallions, 51 Mares, and 22 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
3 m/o, Bay mare, died unexpected, undiagnosed
Saturday, July 18
Summary: Sunny and breezy, temperatures were 67 to 88 degrees. BCS 2-5
Animals Gathered: 139 (64 Stallions, 53 Mares, and 22 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 76 (38 Stallions, 27 Mares, and 11 Foals)
Animals Released: 1 (0 Stallions, 1 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Friday, July 17
Summary: Partly cloudy and breezy, temperatures were 62 to 71 degrees. BCS 2-4
Animals Gathered: 62 (23 Stallions, 27 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 171 (48 Stallions, 79 Mares, and 44 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
3 m/o, Bay Mare, Chronic/Pre-existing, respiratory infection
Thursday, July 16
Summary: Sunny and breezy, temperatures were 59 to 87 degrees. BCS 2-4
Animals Gathered: 189 (66 Stallions, 79 Mares, and 44 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 70 (7 Stallions, 63 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
10 y/o, Bay, stud, Chronic/Pre-existing, missing and eye
3 y/o , Bay, stud, Chronic/Pre-existing, missing an eye
Wednesday, July 15
Summary: No gather operations, shipping only.
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 257 (149 Stallions, 68 Mares, and 40 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Tuesday, July 14
Summary: Sunny and breezy 57 - 76 degrees.
Animals Gathered: 245 (114 Stallions, 91 Mares, and 40 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 242 (110 Stallions, 78 Mares, and 54 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Monday, July 13
Summary: Sunny and breezy 57 - 76 degrees.
Animals Gathered: 259 (104 Stallions, 102 Mares, and 54 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 156 (37 Stallions, 77 Mares, and 42 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Sunday, July 12
Summary: Sunny and breezy 66 - 81 degrees.
Animals Gathered: 213 (83 Stallions, 89 Mares, and 41 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 112 (75 Stallions, 37 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Saturday, July 11
Summary: Shipping only.
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 213 (71 Stallions, 101 Mares, and 41 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 2
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
3 y/o, Bay, Mare - Acute/Sudden, broken neck
3 m/o, Sorrel, filly - Acute/Sudden, indicators consistent with colic
Friday, July 10
Summary: Warm and breezy, 65 - 82 degrees, BCS 3 - 5.
Animals Gathered: 333 (*149 Stallions, 140 Mares, and 44 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Sorrel, filly, <6 months, Acute/Sudden, Euthanized, kicked in holding resulting in broken leg.
Gather Status
This gather began July 10.
Animals Gathered:
2005 Wild Horses (786 Stallions, 827 Mares, and 392 Foals)
Animals Shipped:
1992 Wild Horses (784 Stallions, 823 Mares, and 385 Foals)
Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 11
-Sudden / Acute: *8
-Pre-existing / Chronic: *3
*reassessed after policy review
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"