2024 Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office will conduct this gather to address overpopulation on the range. BLM Colorado is committed to managing for healthy horses on healthy lands through appropriate management levels of the population. The removal of excess wild horses is necessary to achieve the AML of 90-150 horses on the range. It is important to find a balance that will preserve wild horses and their habitat, other wildlife like elk and deer, and natural resources.
BLM Colorado is committed to reducing the frequency of helicopter gathers. This outcome is dependent on having an effective fertility control program to reduce the rate of herd growth (15-20% annually if not managed), which is most successful when used to maintain a population that is within appropriate management levels.
The proposed gather will help the BLM maintain or make progress in meeting rangeland health standards.
Details of Gather:
The Grand Junction Field Office will use a helicopter drive to gather up to 130 wild horses, remove approximately 100 excess wild horses, apply fertility control and/or manage sex ratios of up to 20 horses, and return up to 30 horses back to the range.
During a horse gather, safety is our priority – that of the animals, our employees, and members of the public. BLM is committed to the humane and ethical treatment of wild horses and ensures BLM and contractor staff adhere to guidelines set forth by the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program in all gathers.
The Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program outlines required best practices and humane handling standards that prioritize the health and well-being of wild horses and minimize potential stress and injury. For example, the standards do not allow contact with helicopters, traveling excessive distances and/or gathering in extreme temperatures.
Public Observation:
BLM will provide opportunities 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. Please pay special attention to the details below before you decide to RSVP.
Gather Information Hotline. Starting Sept. 10, you may call the Little Book Cliffs Gather 2024 hotline to learn about opportunities for public observation. A recorded message will provide the necessary details of the next day’s scheduled gather. The hotline will get updated daily. The Little Book Cliffs Gather 2024 Hotline is (970) 579-0134.
RSVPs are required. The number of visitors allowed at an observation site is limited and may change by day. If you are interested in observing the gather, you must RSVP by leaving a message on the hotline no later than 5 p.m. (MT) the day before a scheduled gather. Call (970) 579-0134 and leave a message with your name and phone number.
You must have confirmation to attend. A BLM staff member will contact you to confirm your visit no later than 9 p.m. (MT). Selections are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Your confirmation will include details such as a meeting time, location, possible drive time, and observation rules.
Escort required. All visitors must be escorted to the approved observation sites. BLM staff members will verify visitors have confirmed access before leaving the prearranged meeting location. Visitors will drive their vehicles in a convoy to the observation site lead by a BLM staff member. Visitors must always have an escort unless otherwise directed.
Observation day. Plan to stay at the observation site through the entirety of the day’s gather activities. Times for each day will vary depending on the trap site location and may start as early as 4 a.m. and end as late as 7 p.m. If you choose to leave, you may have to wait for an escort to become available and you will not be allowed reentry.
Meeting locations and times are determined based on the location of the trap site on the range and they are subject to change will little to no notice. An observation day may be cancelled for of a variety of reasons to include:
- Inclement weather
- The trap site is moved to a location where there is limited access and is not safe for the public.
- The trap site is moved to a location where public viewing would disrupt gather operations.
Observation site locations. Public observation sites are selected based on the location of trap sites on the range. Some observation sites are located far from a main road and may take one to three hours to access.
You must provide your own transportation. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle with a full tank of gas. Be advised, large portions of the roads are unpaved, bumpy and windy. BLM is not responsible for damage to your vehicle caused by the conditions of the road to the observation site.
Personal needs. Many observation sites are not located near bathrooms or a vault toilet – please plan accordingly. You must provide your own water and food for the day – they are not provided or available for purchase.
Consider any known health/medical conditions and bring what you need for the day. Remember, many observation sites are hours away from a main road, town and emergency services.
Adoption Information:
All removed horses will be transported to the Canon City Off-Range Corral. Upon arrival at the facility, the horses will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse adoption and sale program. BLM will announce adoptions as they are scheduled via the BLM website and social media channels. To learn more about adopting a wild horse, please visit the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Adoption webpage.
Background:
The Little Book Cliffs Gather Management Plan environmental assessment, decision record and other associated documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register e-Planning website.
Learn more about the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range online.
Related Information and Supporting Documents:
- Daily Gather Reports
-
[Weekday, Month Day]
Summary: (Gather status, temp and weather conditions)
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
- Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Provide short description of each animal death
Gather Status
As of [DATE]
or
This gather will begin on [DATE]
This gather was completed on [DATE]
Animals Gathered: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares, 0 Jennies)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Other: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
-Sudden / Acute: 0
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"