2011 Red Desert and Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
To reduce overpopulation of wild horses and achieve appropriate management level. Each herd management area has what is called an appropriate management level (AML). That is the number of horses that can thrive in a particular area in balance with other resources and uses. When a herd exceeds its appropriate management level, it becomes necessary to remove some of the horses to ensure the health of the rangeland, wildlife and the horses themselves.
Details of Gather:
The BLM conduct a helicopter gather to gather horses in both the Red Desert Complex and the Divide Basin Herd Management Area (HMA) in fall 2011.
The gathers are anticipated to begin October 7 in the Red Desert Complex, move south to the Divide Basin HMA and conclude back in the Red Desert Complex in late November. The fall gathers will move between the HMAs to ensure that gather operations will be complete in the high country of the Green Mountain area before early winter storms blanket it with snow. Gather operations will then move to the lower elevation HMAs. The duration of the gathers is largely dependent on weather conditions and may be longer or shorter than originally anticipated.
In addition, the gathers provide the opportunity to treat mares with the fertility control drug PZP to decrease reproduction rates. In the Red Desert Complex, mares that were first treated with PZP in 2009 will be treated with PZP boosters and all other mares to be returned will be treated with their first doses of PZP. In the Divide Basin HMA, where fertility control through PZP treatments has not been used in the past, mares to be returned will be treated with PZP for the first time.
Public Observation:
Thank you for your interest in observing BLM wild horse gather operations in the Red Desert Complex and Divide Basin Herd Management Area (HMA). The BLM is committed to providing as much public access to the gather as possible.
Please be advised that gather operations are fluid and may change at any time. For example, the team may need to move and reconstruct gather sites and holding facilities. Weather conditions are uncertain. Delays of one or more days may be necessary. We encourage you to monitor our website closely for the most up-to-date information. The BLM appreciates your patience.
The gather schedule will move back and forth between Red Desert and Divide Basin. Please be aware of the current location of the gather you’re interested in attending.
Red Desert Complex Gather
If you’re interested in watching this gather, please contact Sarah Beckwith,sbeckwit@blm.gov, to be added to the anticipated visitors log. Only individuals listed on the visitors’ log will be contacted with daily meeting locations and times. Email contact is requested as cell phone service is unreliable in the HMAs.
Divide Basin Gather
If you’re interested in watching this gather, please contact Serena Baker, sbaker@blm.gov, to be added to the anticipated visitors log. Only individuals listed on the visitors’ log will be contacted with daily meeting locations and times. Email contact is requested as cell phone service is unreliable in the HMAs.
Please read the “Know Before You Go” fact sheet. The HMAs are in rugged and remote areas. Safety is our first priority and BLM staff will be available each public observation day to escort you into areas where you can safely view gather operations. We are providing the following information for your safety so you can be prepared for your visit.
Adoption Information:
Most of these horses will be available for adoption at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, the Mantle Wild Horse Training Facility, the Wyoming Honor Farm and through BLM's Internet adoptions.
Background:
The BLM Lander and Rawlins field offices cooperatively manage the Red Desert Complex, which includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek HMAs, and is located in Sweetwater, Carbon, Fremont and Natrona counties west and south of Wyoming highway 789/287. The complex encompass about 753,000 acres of land, of which 703,500 are BLM-administered public lands.
The Rock Spring Field Office manages the Divide Basin HMA, which is located 40 miles east of Rock Springs to the Rawlins/Rock Springs field office boundary, west to the Continental Divide, and north of I-80 to just south of South Pass City. The Divide Basin HMA encompasses 778,915 acres, of which 562,702 acres are BLM-administered public lands.
- Great Divide Basin Daily Gather Reports
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Tuesday, October 25
Summary: Operations commenced this morning for the Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather at the Pack Saddle Trap. Two helicopters were used for gather operations. A total of 218 horses were gathered. Three semi-truck loads of horses (136 animals) were transported to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. It is anticipated two loads of studs (approximately 75-80 horses) will be shipped to Gunnison, Utah, tomorrow. Weather conditions were fair today with temperatures ranging from the high 30’s to the low 40’s.
Animals gathered: 220 (originally counted as 218)
Animals shipped: 136
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Wednesday, October 26
Summary: Operations continued Wednesday at the Pack Saddle Trap. Due to weather conditions and high winds, the helicopters did not fly and no horses were gathered. After a recount of yesterday’s gather numbers, it was discovered 220 horses were actually gathered not 218, so the total has been changed to reflect the correct number. Two loads of studs (72 horses) were shipped to Gunnison, Utah. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures ranging from the low 20’s to the low 40’s.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 72
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Thursday, October 27
Summary: Operations continued Thursday at the Pack Saddle Trap. Three semi-truck loads of horses (96) were shipped to the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. Weather conditions were great with sunny skies and temps in the 40’s.
Animals gathered: 137
Animals shipped: 96
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Friday, October 28
Summary: Following gather operations, the Pack Saddle Trap was dismantled and moved to a new site in the Bush Rim/Bar X Road area where gather operations will commence tomorrow. Two semi-truck loads of stud horses (53) were shipped to Gunnison, Utah. The weather forecast for Saturday calls for sunny skies, temperatures in the 40’s and breezy conditions.
Animals gathered: 12
Animals shipped: 53
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Saturday, October 29
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning around the Bush Rim Trap. Three helicopters were used to gather a total of 99 horses. Weather conditions were breezy with temperatures in the 40’s and operations were shut down early due to windy conditions.
Animals gathered: 99
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Sunday, October 30
Summary: Gather operations continued Sunday at the Bush Rim Trap. Two helicopters were used to gather 34 horses. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures in the 40’s. Following gather operations for the day, the Bush Rim Trap was dismantled and moved to a new site in the Desert Springs area where gather operations will continue Monday.
Animals gathered: 34
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Monday, October 31
Summary: Gather operations continued Monday at the Desert Springs Trap. Three helicopters were used to gather 85 wild horses. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures in the 50’s. One load of studs (36 horses) was shipped to Gunnison, Utah, and one colt with a poor body condition was shipped to Rock Springs to be seen by a veterinarian. Today was the first gather related death.
Animals gathered: 85
Animals shipped: 37
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0* One mare with severe injuries sustained in the holding pen was humanely euthanized following BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted.
Tuesday, November 1
Summary: Bad weather including snow, slick roads and low visibility is suspending wild horse gather operations in the Great Divide Basin near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. We will try again when the weather clears.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Wednesday, November 2
Summary: Gather operations resumed Wednesday at the Desert Spring Trap in the Great Divide Basin near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 182 wild horses. One colt with a poor body condition was shipped to Rock Springs to be seen by a veterinarian. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 182
Animals shipped: 1
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0* One colt with a severe leg injury was humanely euthanized following BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted.
Thursday, November 3
Summary: Gather operations continued Thursday at the Desert Springs Trap Site near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 34 wild horses. Four semi-truck loads of mustangs (188 horses) were shipped. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 40’s.
Animals gathered: 34
Animals shipped: 188
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Friday, November 4
Summary: Gather operations continued Friday for a final day at the Desert Springs Trap Site near the Bar X Road east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 57 wild horses. One semi-truck load of horses (36 mares) were shipped. Following gather operations, the Desert Springs Trap began to be dismantled. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 40’s.
Animals gathered: 57
Animals shipped: 36
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Saturday, November 5
Summary: The Desert Springs Trap Site has been completely dismantled to be moved to a new trap site in the Bitter Creek area where gather operations will reconvene Sunday. Weather conditions included snow with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 1
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Sunday, November 6
Summary: The new Black Rock Trap Site was fully assembled today in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Gather operations were suspended today due to high winds. Two semi-truck loads (83 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility. Weather conditions were windy with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 83
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Monday, November 7
Summary: Gather operations resumed today at the Black Rock Trap Site in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 139 horses. Weather conditions were partly sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 139
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Tuesday, November 8
Summary: Gather operations continued Tuesday at the Black Rock Trap Site in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 80 horses. Two semi-truck loads (86 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 80
Animals shipped: 86
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Wednesday, November 9
Summary: Gather operations continued Wednesday at the Black Rock Trap Site in the Bitter Creek area east of Rock Springs, Wyo. Two helicopters were used to gather 20 horses. One semi-truck load (32 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 20
Animals shipped: 32
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Thursday, November 10
Summary: Gather operations moved Thursday to a new Superior Trap Site northeast of Rock Springs, Wyo. One helicopter was used to gather 7 horses. After gather operations, the trap was dismantled and will be moved to a new location tomorrow. One semi-truck load (45 horses) were shipped from the Desert Springs temporary holding facility. Mares that had been previously gathered were treated with fertility control. One hundred thirty-nine mares and studs were released back into the Great Divide Basin HMA today. Weather conditions were sunny skies with temperatures in the 30’s.
Animals gathered: 7
Animals shipped: 45
Mares fertility treated: 55
Animals returned to the HMA: 139Friday, November 11
Summary: Operations are now complete for the Great Divide Basin Gather. Two helicopters were used to gather 25 horses from outside the HMA at a new Boars Tusk Trap Site. These horses will be transported to the Red Desert Complex Gather's temporary holding facility in Baroil, Wyo.
This is the final report for the Great Divide Basin Wild Horse Gather. With the release of 139 horses back to the HMA Thursday, Nov. 10, the Great Divide Basin HMA is now estimated to be within the low appropriate management level range. Operations are expected to resume this weekend for the second phase of the Red Desert Complex Gather (Lost Creek and Stewart Creek HMAs).
Animals gathered: 25
Animals shipped: 125
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0* One stud horse injured its neck while being loaded and was humanely euthanized following BLM protocol. The APHIS veterinarian was consulted.
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A death labeled as "acute" is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as "chronic/pre-existing" is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity. - Red Desert Daily Gather Reports
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Sunday, October 9
Summary: Due to poor weather conditions in the gather area, the gather start date has been postponed until Monday, Oct. 10. The start date is dependent on weather conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Monday, October 10
Summary: Gather operations commenced today at 8:30 a.m. at the Crooks Gap area trap. Forty horses were gathered before gather operations were shut down at 10:15 a.m. due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 40
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Tuesday, October 11
Summary: Gather operations were cancelled for today as a result of continued high winds. The contractor is expected to resume operations tomorrow morning. Twenty-nine of the 40 horses that were gathered yesterday are being shipped to the Rock Springs holding facility this morning.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 29
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Wednesday, October 12
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Crooks Gap area trap. A total of 56 horses were gathered today. Operations were shut down at 12:30 due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 56
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2** Two studs were euthanized today due to pre-existing conditions. One stud had chronic laminitis (“slipper foot”). The other stud was missing his left rear foot and in addition, the same leg was broken below the hock. As a result these horses had limited ability to forage which made it difficult to maintain a healthy physical condition. These horses were euthanized following the BLM protocol.
Thursday, October 13
Summary: Gather operations continued today at the Crooks Gap area trap. A total of 17 horses were gathered today. Operations were shut down at 11:30 due to high winds. Forty horses were shipped to the Rock Springs holding facility.
Animals gathered: 17
Animals shipped: 40
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Friday, October 14
Summary: Twenty-one horses were gathered today from the Eagle Nest Draw Trap at the south end of the Lander Field Office, concluding gather operations from that trap.
Animals gathered: 21
Animals shipped: 21
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0* An APHIS vet determined that a black stud died of cardiac arrest. He was 26 years old and club-footed.
Saturday, October 15
Summary: Gather operations in the Green Mountain HMA (West Cottonwood Creek Trap) were cancelled for the day due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Sunday, October 16
Summary: Seventy-four horses were gathered today from the West Cottonwood Creek Trap in the Green Mountain HMA, concluding gather operations from that trap.
Animals gathered: 74
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Monday, October 17
Summary: Gather operations were cancelled at the Muddy Gap Trap in the eastern portion of the Green Mountain HMA today, due to rain, wind and muddy conditions. Thirty-three horses were shipped to the Rock Springs corrals this morning. Twenty-seven mares were treated with fertility control this afternoon and 50 horses were released back into the northwest corner of the Green Mountain HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 33
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Mares fertility treated: 27
Animals returned to the HMA: 50* After an exam by the APHIS veterinarian, one mare with pre-existing conditions (a fractured left hind leg, displaced hip and Henneke score of 2) was euthanized.
Tuesday, October 18
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning at the Muddy Gap Trap in the eastern portion of the Green Mountain HMA. A total of 144 horses were gathered.
Animals gathered: 144
Animals shipped: 30
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1*
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0* A 16 year old mare died from sustaining a broken neck as she was being released from the chute at the temporary holding facility.
Wednesday, October 19
Summary: Gather operations commenced this morning at the Haypress Draw Trap in the Crooks Mountain HMA. A total of 72 horses were gathered. A total of 31 horses were shipped this morning to the correctional facility in Gunnison, Utah, 55 mares and colts to the Rock Springs corrals and one colt to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, Wyo. Mares from the Crooks Mountain HMA will be treated and released, along with studs, back into the HMA tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 72
Animals shipped: 87
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Thursday, October 20
Summary: A new trap was set up in the Antelope Hills HMA and gather operations commenced there this morning. A total of horses 92 horses were gathered today. Twenty-six studs were released this morning back into the Crooks Mountain HMA and 27 mares from the Crooks Mountain HMA were treated with fertility control and released back into the HMA this afternoon.
Animals gathered: 92
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 27
Animals returned to the HMA: 53Friday, October 21
Summary: Gather operations concluded in the Antelope Hills HMA today. It is not anticipated that the BLM will gather in the Red Desert on Saturday or Sunday. Mares will be treated with fertility control and horses will be returned to the Antelope Hills HMA and shipped.
Animals gathered: 64
Animals shipped: 17
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals retuned to the HMA: 31Saturday, October 22
Summary: Fertility treated 29 mares, shipped a total of 80 animals, (31 studs to Gunnison, Utah; 29 mares and 20 colts to the Rock Springs holding facility). Released a total of 44 horses back into the Antelope Hills HMA. This now completes work in the Antelope Hills HMA and the Crooks Mountain HMA.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 80
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 29
Animals retuned to the HMA: 44Sunday, October 23
Summary: Gather operations did not occur today. The contractor moved some of the gather facilities to the Divide Basin HMA. Operations are scheduled to start there Tuesday, October 25th.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Monday, October 24
Summary: Pilots attempted to fly in the Green Mountain HMA this morning and could not continue due to high winds. Mares that had been previously gathered from the Green Mountain HMA were treated with fertility control. Fifty-six mares and studs were released back into the Green Mountain HMA today, in advance of a winter storm predicted for the area.
The first phase of the Red Desert HMA Complex gather is complete (Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain and Green Mountain HMAs). Operations are scheduled to begin in the Divide Basin HMA on Tuesday, Oct. 25th, and will last approximately three weeks. The second phase of the Red Desert HMA Complex gather (Lost Creek and Stewart Creek HMAs) will likely resume in mid-November.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 80
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Mares fertility treated: 31
Animals retuned to the HMA: 56* An eleven year old stud with chronic laminitis (slipper foot) and a displaced hip was euthanized. The stud’s Henneke Score was four.
Gather has been switched over to the Divide Basin, October 25 - November 12
Sunday, November 13
Summary: Wyoming fall gather operations have transitioned from the Divide Basin HMA back to the Red Desert HMA Complex for phase two of the Red Desert Gather. Operations were cancelled today due to blizzard-like conditions.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Monday, November 14
Summary: Operations were cancelled today due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Tuesday, November 15
Summary: Gather operations began this morning in the Lost Creek HMA. A total of 47 horses were gathered. Gathering was shut down at 1:30 due to high winds.
Animals gathered: 47
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Wednesday, November 16
Summary: Gather operations continued today in the Lost Creek HMA. A total of 64 horses were gathered, completing gather operations at that trap at 1:30 p.m. This morning, 31 horses were shipped to Canon City, Colo., and four horses were shipped to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, Wyo.
Animals gathered: 64
Animals shipped: 35
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Thursday, November 17
Summary: Three horses were gathered before operations were shut down due to high winds. Twenty studs were returned to the Lost Creek HMA this afternoon.
Animals gathered: 3
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1*
Animals retuned to the HMA: 20* A three month old foal died of pre-existing conditions. The APHIS veterinarian performed a necropsy and discovered that the foal had pneumonia and the right side of her heart was enlarged. The foal was also very thin and in poor condition.
Friday, November 18
Summary: A total of 71 horses were gathered in the Stewart Creek HMA before high winds shut-down operations. A total of 38 horses were shipped to Canon City, Colo. Twenty mares were treated with fertility control and released back into the Lost Creek HMA.
Animals gathered: 71
Animals shipped: 38
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 20
Animals retuned to the HMA: 20Saturday, November 19
Summary: Gather operations were cancelled today due to high winds and blowing snow.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0Sunday, November 20
Summary: A total of 134 horses were gathered from the Stewart Creek HMA. This concludes trapping operations in the Red Desert Complex. Fifty studs were returned to the Stewart Creek HMA this afternoon.
Animals gathered: 134
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Animals retuned to the HMA: 50Monday, November 21
Summary: A total of 50 horses were were returned to the Stewart Creek HMA today, including 46 mares that were treated with PZP fertility control. A total of 105 horses were shipped to Canon City, Colo., and one horse was shipped to the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton, Wyo. This concludes gather operations in the Red Desert Complex.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 106
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Mares fertility treated: 46
Animals retuned to the HMA: 50---
A death labeled as "acute" is when an animal dies or is euthanized due to acute injuries or medical conditions brought about by the gather and removal process including those that occur during capture, sorting and holding at the gather site. This term will include animals that die for known or unknown reasons thought to be related to gather activities.
A death labeled as "chronic/pre-existing" is when an animal dies or is euthanized for reasons related to chronic or pre-existing conditions such as body condition, lameness, serious physical defects, etc. This term will include animals that are euthanized for conditions not brought about by the gather activity.
Gather Status
This gather was completed on November 21, 2011.
Animals Gathered
1,132
Animals Returned to Home Range
139
Animal Deaths
3
*Includes non-gather related deaths. See details in "Gather Reports"
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"