BLM to release wild horses in Hardtrigger Herd Management Area
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BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will disperse 45 wild horses (24 studs, 21 mares) in three different locations within the Hardtrigger Herd Management Area (HMA) south of Marsing at the end of May. The BLM Owyhee Field Office invites members of the public interested in watching one of the releases to meet at the I-O-N Truck Plaza, 5644 Buntrock Rd., Marsing, at 10 a.m. on May 29 to caravan to the release location.
Just two trailer loads containing 12 horses will be released at this location within the HMA, which is the most accessible area to accommodate members of the public while providing the best viewing opportunity. This release marks one of the final groups of wild horses to return to their home range in the Owyhees.
The entire Hardtrigger HMA was burned by the 279,144-acre Soda Fire in 2015. The BLM gathered 279 wild horses from all three HMAs (Black Mountain, Hardtrigger and Sands Basin) in the Owyhees directly following the fire, placing over 80 into private care through adoption. As the 69,910-acre Hardtrigger HMA is the largest of the three, the wild horses will be released in multiple locations to disperse the horses throughout the HMA. The horses destined to return to the range were cared for at both the Boise Wild Horse Corrals and Bruneau Off-Range Corrals while the rangeland recovered from the burn.
“We were glad to offer people the opportunity to watch the release of wild horses to the Sands Basin HMA last year,” said Lara Douglas, BLM Boise District Manager. “We recognize how important it is to maintain viable wild horse herds on healthy public rangelands, and are pleased to see these wild horses return to Hardtrigger.”
Visitors will need to provide their own transportation. As the roads to the viewing area are narrow, rough and dusty, it is recommended that vehicles be high clearance, 4-wheel drive, and contain a spare tire. Additionally, it will be most helpful if visitors carpool to limit the number of vehicles at the release location. The BLM encourages those interested in attending the release to RSVP by May 28 to Ruby Kyle at 208-473-9868.
For more information about the release, please contact Heather Tiel-Nelson, (208) 736-2352.
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.