BLM to begin Sulphur Herd Management Area wild horse gather, August 2024
Media Contact
CEDAR CITY, Utah — The BLM Cedar City Field Office will begin gather operations to remove wild horses from within and outside of the Sulphur Herd Management Area in Beaver, Iron and Millard Counties starting Tuesday, Aug. 13.
The gather will help balance the number of horses to what the rangeland can sustainably support, known as the appropriate management level (AML). The AML within the Sulphur HMA is 165 to 250 animals; the current population is estimated at 606 wild horses. The gather is expected to last approximately fourteen days.
The BLM will gather approximately 420 wild horses from BLM-administered lands using the helicopter drive-trapping method. Population growth suppression will be administered to selected mares to help stabilize the annual increase of animals being born on the HMA. Horses removed from the range will be transported to the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah.
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily gather operations through BLM-escorted tours, so long as conditions remain safe for both the horses and participants and gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water, and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended. Details on the BLM-escorted tours will be updated each evening during the gather and announced daily on the BLM gather hotline at 801-539-4050.
Gather operations will begin on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Individuals who wish to view the gather should meet at the Border Inn located on the Utah-Nevada border on Highway 6 and historic Highway 50 where tours will depart at 4:30 a.m. MDT. Please be aware that cell phones may automatically change the time zone to Pacific Time due to the location.
Public lands will remain open unless closures are deemed necessary to protect public safety. Outdoor recreationists and visitors to the gather area should be aware that there will be low-flying helicopters. During the gather, no recreational use of drones is allowed in the Sulphur HMA and surrounding lands within and near Mountain Home and Indian Peak Mountains where wild horses may be found. Brief road closures may also be needed to allow movement of horses during gather operations.
Gather updates and information will be posted on the BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/utah. The BLM “X” account (@BLMUtah) will post updates using the hashtag #SulphurGather. To learn more about how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit the BLM National Wild Horse and Burro website at www.blm.gov/whb or call 866-468-7826. For additional information, please contact Lisa Reid at 435-743-3128.
-BLM-
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.