The Bureau of Land Management has concluded the FY2024 McGee Mountain Herd Management Area wild burro bait and water gather operation

Denio Junction, Nev. – The Humboldt River Field Office has concluded the FY24 McGee Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) wild burro gather, on March 26, 2024. The staff gathered and removed excess 22 wild burros from public lands.  Gather operations were conducted using the water and bait trap method.

The purpose of the gather was to reduce overpopulation of wild burros within and outside the HMA, to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild burros and restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands.

The gather was conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals supports significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Sierra Front Northern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. In addition, by balancing herd size with what the land can support, the agency aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as mule deer, big horn sheep, antelope, chukar partridge, sage grouse, and various birds.

“The McGee Mountain gather has brought the HMA to near low Appropriate Management Level, which will benefit herd and rangeland health,” said Humboldt River Field Office Manager, John Mitchell.

The BLM transported the animals removed from the range to the Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Off-range Corrals located in Reno, Nevada, to be readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program. Burros not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Additional gather information is available on the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/nevada/2024-mcgee-mountain-herd .