2024 North Lander Complex Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The gather is being conducted to address the overpopulation in the Complex, prevent deterioration of the rangeland due to that overpopulation, and remove horses from private lands and areas not designated for their long-term use. The area is almost entirely composed of Greater Sage-Grouse priority habitat and much of the area is categorized as winter/yearlong or crucial mule deer and pronghorn range.
The Complex has an appropriate management level (AML) of 320-536 wild horses. Based on August 2023 aerial surveys using infrared technology and methodology, the BLM estimates that the Complex’s population is approximately 3,035 wild horses.
Details of Gather:
The Complex is made up of the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin and Rock Creek Mountain herd management areas in central Wyoming.
The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 2,715 excess wild horses using the helicopter-assisted method in conformance with the approved 10-year adaptive gather and management plan for the Complex. During this first gather, most horses caught will be removed in order to return the population to within its AML. Subsequent removals gathers over the 10-year period will focus on removing young and highly adoptable animals, and administering population control measures for older and less adoptable animals and returning them to the range.
BLM staff and contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available for the public to observe 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. Participants must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Those interested in observing the gather must notify Sarah Beckwith at sbeckwith@blm.gov.
Adoption Information:
All removed horses will be transported to the Wheatland Off-Range Corral. Upon arrival at the facility, they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse adoption and sale program. Please visit the BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/whb to learn more about adopting a wild horse or burro.
Background:
The environmental assessment, decision record and other associated documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
Learn more about the North Lander Complex at blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/herd-management-areas/wyoming/north-lander.
- Daily Gather Reports
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November 26-27
Summary: 110 wild horses were returned to the HMAs. All mares had been treated with the fertility control vaccine GonaCon-Equine (initial vaccine injection plus a booster). Stallions were released untreated. The return of these horses ensures that each HMA is within its appropriate management level.
Animals Released:
- Conant Creek: 18 Mares/16 Stallions
- Dishpan Butte: 4 Mares/4 Stallions
- Muskrat Basin: 31 Mares/29 Stallions
- Rock Creek Mountain: 4 Mares/4 Stallions
Differences in number of horses released vs. number expected to be released is due to initial count from aerial reconnaissance flights being lower than what was directly counted and confirmed multiple times since the flights.
August 5, 2024
Post Gather Population Estimates and Fertility Control Plan
Herd Management Area Low AML High AML Uncaptured adults* Uncaptured foals* Horses to be released Mares treated with GonaCon Adult horses post release Total horses post release Conant Creek 60 100 25 3 35 17 60 63 Dishpan Butte 50 100 48 4 8 4 56 60 Muskrat Basin 160 250 103 14 57 28 160 174 Rock Creek Mtn. 50 86 32 3 18 9 50 53 Complex Total 320 536 208 24 118 58 326 350 *Uncaptured horse estimates are based on aerial reconnaissance flights.
Tuesday July 23, 2024
Summary: Gathering is complete. This page will be updated again when horses are returned to the Complex.
Animals Gathered: 1 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 1 Foal)
Animals Shipped: 1 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 1 Foal)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
Monday July 22, 2024
Summary: There was no gathering today due to HMA flights.
Animals Gathered: 0
Animals Shipped: 99 (16 Stallions, 60 Mares, and 23 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures during gather operations ranging from 60 to mid-80s.
Animals Gathered: 44 (10 Stallions, 23 Mares, and 11 Foals. All were horses that had moved outside of the HMA.)
Animals Shipped: 37 (37 Stallions)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 1
A white foal stallion was found with a broken leg at temporary holding and was euthanized.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
A 4-year-old bay stallion was euthanized due to a preexisting reproductive organ injury.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures during gather operations ranging from 60 to mid-80s.
Animals Gathered: 70 (30 Stallions, 28 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Friday, July 19, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperature around 70 during gather operations.
Animals Gathered: 8 (4 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 1 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Summary: No gather operations due to trap relocation.
Animals Gathered: 0
Animals Shipped: 114 (51 Stallions, 49 Mares, and 14 Foals)
*On 7/29, BLM updated the numbers of stallions and mares shipped on 7/18, adding 15 to "stallions" and subtracting 15 from "mares". It was discovered that one compartment was accidentally labeled "mares" rather than "stallions" on the shipping paperwork, and was corrected upon receipt at Wheatland. The Cumulative Gather Status in the sidebar of this page has been updated as well.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures during gather operations ranging from mid-60s to high-80s.
Animals Gathered: 127 (58 Stallions, 55 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 76 (24 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 13 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures during gather operations ranging from 60 to mid-80s.
Animals Gathered: 80 (27 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 188 (121 Stallions, 53 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
A bay foal mare was found deceased at temporary holding. A necropsy determined head/neck trauma to be the cause.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Monday July 15, 2024
Summary: Mostly cloudy, windy, and light showers with temperatures from the high 50s to mid 80s during gather operations.
Animals Gathered: 66 (25 Stallions, 27 Mares, and 14 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 218 (64 Stallions, 103 Mares, and 51 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Sunday July 14, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures from the low 60s to mid 80s during gather operations.
Animals Gathered: 257 (91 Stallions, 114 Mares, and 52 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 167 (48 Stallions, 76 Mares, and 43 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 3
- Sudden / Acute: 2
A 4-yr-old bay mare suffered a broken neck while being transported in a trailer.
A 15-yr-old bay mare suffered a brain aneurysm, determined by necropsy.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1
A black mare foal had a congenital spinal deformity and was euthanized.
Saturday July 13, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures from the low 60s to mid 80s during gather operations.
Animals Gathered: 251 (115 Stallions, 93 Mares, and 43 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 37 (13 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 8 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Friday July 12, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures from the low 60s to low 80s during gather operations.
Animals Gathered: 33 (9 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 8 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 163 (75 Stallions, 63 Mares, and 25 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Thursday July 11, 2024
Summary: Partly cloudy and breezy with temperatures during gather operations ranging from the low 60s to low 90s.
Animals Gathered: 129 (47 Stallions, 56 Mares, and 26 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 167 (43 Stallions, 91 Mares, and 33 Foals)
*On 7/22, BLM updated the number of foals shipped on 7/11 from 34 to 33. It was discovered on the paperwork that one foal was accidentally counted twice.
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Wednesday July 10, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures during gather operations ranging from 60 to 85 degrees.
Animals Gathered: 194 (65 Stallions, 97 Mares, and 32 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 155 (62 Stallions, 70 Mares, and 23 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Tuesday July 9, 2024
Summary: Sunny with temperatures during gather operations between lows in the 50s and highs in the mid 80s.
Animals Gathered: 159 (64 Stallions, 71 Mares, and 24 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 169 (53 Stallions, 84 Mares, and 32 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 4
- Sudden / Acute: 2
A bay foal stud and a bay foal mare died in temporary holding due to capture myopathy.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2
A 12-year-old bay paint stallion was euthanized due to a preexisting head injury and an 8-year-old bay stallion was euthanized due to a previously broken right rear pastern.
Monday July 8, 2024
Summary: Sunny with lows in the 50s and highs in the lower 80s.
Animals Gathered: 155 (54 Stallions, 70 Mares, and 31 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 169 (78 Stallions, 59 Mares, and 32 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Sunday July 7, 2024
Summary: Weather was mild with lows near 50 and highs in the upper 70s. Winds were light with mostly sunny conditions throughout gather operations.
Animals Gathered: 180 (73 Stallions, 75 Mares, and 32 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 36 (36 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
*Note: A Hinny (donkey/horse offspring) was transferred to the Wyoming Brand Inspector.Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1 - A 2-year-old sorrel mare suffered a broken neck at temporary holding.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Saturday July 6, 2024
Summary: There were no gather operations today.
Animals Gathered: 0
Animals Shipped: 173 (38 Stallions, 88 Mares, and 47 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 1 - A bay foal mare was found deceased at temporary holding. A necropsy determined capture myopathy to be the cause.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1 - A bay yearling stallion was diagnosed with Wobbler Syndrome (cervical vertebral malformation (CVM)). This condition worsens with age. The stallion was euthanized.
Friday July 5, 2024
Summary: Sunny and clear, high 70s.
Animals Gathered: 225 (88 Stallions, 89 Mares*, and 48 Foals)
*Includes on mare "hinny" picked up by brand inspector.
Animals Shipped: 34 (27 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Thursday July 4, 2024
Summary: Sunny and clear, high 70s.
Animals Gathered: 25 (18 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 171 (60 Stallions, 81 Mares, and 30 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1 - A 3-year-old stallion broke his neck at temporary holding.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Wednesday July 3, 2024
Summary: Sunny and clear, mid 80s, light breeze.
Animals Gathered: 111 (46 Stallions, 46 Mares, and 19 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 151 (138 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 1 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Tuesday July 2, 2024
Summary: Partly cloudy, mid 80s, light breeze.
Animals Gathered: 79 (36 Stallions, 31 Mares, and 12 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 235 (15 Stallions, 146 Mares, and 74 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 2
- Sudden / Acute: 1 - A 10-year-old grey mare was kicked by another horse at the temporary holding corrals, resulting in a head fracture.
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1 - While at the temporary holding corrals, the onsite veterinarian diagnosed a foal with Wobbler Syndrome (cervical vertebral malformation (CVM)). This condition worsens with age. The foal was euthanized.
Monday July 1, 2024
Summary: Partly cloudy, mid 80s, light breeze.
Animals Gathered: 383 (145 Stallions, 163 Mares*, and 75 Foals*)
* BLM updated the gather numbers for July 1 on July 2. One horse was counted as a foal when it was a yearling mare.Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
News
Gather Status
This gather began on July 1 and ended on July 23, 2024.
Animals Gathered: 2,577
(1,005 Stallions, 1,101 Mares*, and 471 Foals)
*Includes one mare "hinny" gathered on July 5 and picked up by brand inspector.
Animals Shipped: 2,560
(999 Stallions, 1,095 Mares, and 466 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 57
57 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 57 Mares, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0
PZP-22: 0
GonaCon: 57 Mares
IUD: 0
Sterilizations: 0
Animals Released:
110 Wild Horses (53 Stallions, 57 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 16
-Sudden / Acute: 10
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 6
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"