2016 Owyhee Wild Horse Gather
Gather Complete
11/1/16 - 12/4/16
Purpose of Gather:
This gather is necessary to reduce wild horse overpopulation in Sage-brush Focal Areas in the Owyhee, Rock Creek and Little Owyhee herd management areas (HMAs). 
Details of Gather:
The first portion of the gather took place in and outside of the Elko District’s Rock Creek and Owyhee HMAs until November 18th. The second portion of the gather started on the Winnemucca District’s Little Owyhee HMA on November 18th and lasted until the conclusion of the gather on December 4. All mares not removed were treated with the fertility control vaccine PZP-22 to slow the population growth rate of the remaining population within the HMAs.
Public Observation on the Elko District:
The BLM is committed to providing as much public access as possible; however, the herd management area is rugged and remote and public safety is our first priority. BLM staff will be available each day to escort the public into observation areas. For the latest information call the local Hotline at 775-861-6700, option 1 for the latest information about observation opportunities.
Public Observation on the Winnemucca District:
The BLM is committed to providing as much public access as possible, however, the Herd Management Area is rugged and remote and public safety is our first priority. Due to private land access issues, the observation days will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please check the gather hotline for any updates or changes.
Background:
The excessive wild horse populations in the complex have contributed to Appropriate Management Levels (AML) above the high end of AML in the three HMAs. The three HMAs also contain prime Sage Grouse Habitat which is being negatively impacted by the over populations of wild horses.
Additional Information as of December 1, 2016
The BLM will also remove 200 additional horses from non-HMA land near Little Owyhee HMA and Snowstorm HMA to relieve pressure on forage and provide for public safety. Public viewing will be allowed near the trap location.
For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov.
Gather Reports
Sunday, December 4
Summary: A total of 111 wild horses (92 studs, 19 mares) were shipped to Palomino Valley Center. All gather operations have concluded.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 1 (1 stud)
Animals shipped: 111 (92 studs, 19 mares, 0 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, December 3
Summary: No trapping operations. A total of 131 wild horses (86 mares, 45 foals) were shipped to Palomino Valley Center.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 131 (86 mares, 45 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
Friday, December 2
Summary: There were 229 wild horses (89 studs, 95 mares, 45 foals) gathered today at a trap located near the Little Owyhee and Snowstorms HMAs. All trapping operations concluded today.
Animals gathered: 229 (89 studs, 95 mares, 45 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 2 (0 studs, 2 mares)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, December 1
Summary: There were no animals gathered today. A total of 76 mares were treated today and 201 wild horses (98 studs, 103 mares) were released. The BLM will also remove 200 additional horses from non-HMA land near Little Owyhee HMA and Snowstorm HMA in the coming days to relieve pressure on forage and provide for public safety. Public viewing will be offered near the trap location.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 76
Animals released: 201 (98 studs, 103 mares)
Animals shipped: 41 (12 studs, 13 mares, 16 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 30
Summary: There were 78 wild horses (24 studs, 38 mares, 16 foals) gathered today. Twenty-nine mares were treated with fertility control.
Animals gathered: 78 (24 studs, 38 mares, 16 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 29
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 30 (26 studs, 2 mares, 2 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 29
Summary: There were 11 wild horses (7 studs, 2 mares, 2 foals) gathered today. No horses were shipped.
Animals gathered: 11 (7 studs, 2 mares, 2 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 28
Summary: No gather operations due to inclement weather.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, November 27
Summary: No gather operations due to poor weather. A total of 68 horses were shipped to PVC.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 68 (32 studs, 22 mares, 14 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 26
Summary: Today there were 69 wild horses (27 studs, 29 mares, 13 foals) gathered from the Humboldt Ranch trap location.
Animals gathered: 69 (27 studs, 29 mares, 13 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 83 (26 studs, 37 mares, 20 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 25
Summary: Today there were 108 wild horses (43 studs, 44 mares, 21 foals) gathered. Tomorrow, operations will be moved to the Humboldt Ranch trap location.
Animals gathered: 108 (43 studs, 44 mares, 21 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 86 (26 studs, 31 mares, 29 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 24
Summary: There were 121 wild horses (46 studs, 47 mares, 28 foals) gathered today from the Twin Valley Spring trap in the Little Owyhee HMA.
Animals gathered: 121 (46 studs, 47 mares, 28 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 23
Summary: No gather operations due to inclement weather.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 22
Summary: Very few horses were found near the Little Humboldt Ranch trap. A new trap has been set at Twin Valley Spring in the Little Owyhee HMA.
Animals gathered: 6 (2 studs, 3 mares, 1 foal)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 21
Summary: No gather operations due to inclement weather. A total of 130 horses were shipped to Palomino Valley Center.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 130 (54 studs, 44 mares, 32 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3
Sunday, November 20
Summary: There were 151 horses gathered today off the Little Owyhee HMA. Eighty four horses were shipped to Palomino Valley Center.
Animals gathered: 151 (57 studs, 61 mares, 33 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 84 (26 studs, 34 mares, 24 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
Saturday, November 19
Summary: Gather operations continued into day two on the Winnemucca District. One hundred and forty horses were gathered off the Little Owyhee HMA. Also, 84 horses were shipped to Palomino Valley Center.
Animals gathered: 140 (48 studs, 68 mares, 24 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 84 (13 studs, 44 mares, 27 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 3
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 3
Friday, November 18
Summary: Gather operations started on the Winnemucca District side of the Owyhee Complex today. One hundred forty-nine horses were gathered. No animals were treated or shipped today.
Animals gathered: 149 (64 studs, 57 mares, 28 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
Thursday, November 17
Summary: Operations moved from the Elko District side of the Owyhee Complex to the Winnemucca District side yesterday. Crews set up temporary holding and located a spot for the first trap site. Gather operations will commence on Friday, November 18th.
Animals gathered: 0 (0 studs, 0 mares, 0 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 16
Summary: The Rock Creek HMA portion of the gather is completed and the gather contractor and crew removed facilities and moved to the Little Owyhee HMA within the BLM's Winnemucca District.
Animals gathered: 0 (0 studs, 0 mares, 0 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 45
Animals released: 45 mares
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 15
Summary: Gather operations continued with the release of 42 studs released back on the HMA. Also, 40 horses were shipped to PVC. Gather operations are winding down in the BLM Elko District and will be moving tothe BLM Winnemucca District soon.
Animals gathered: 0 (0 studs, 0 mares, 0 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 42 studs
Animals shipped: 40 (23 studs, 11 mares, 6 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 14
Summary: Gather operations continued in the Owyhee Complex with 33 horses gathered with a Henneke Body Condition Score of 3-5. Thirty-nine horses were shipped to PVC.
Animals gathered: 33 (16 studs, 11 mares, 6 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 39 (0 studs, 22 mares, 17 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 2
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 2
Sunday, November 13
Summary: Gather operations resumed in the Rock Creek HMA of the Owyhee Complex. Eighty horses were gathered with a Henneke body condition score of 3.5-5. Thirty-nine animals were shipped to PVC.
Animals gathered: 80 (22 studs, 41 mares, 17 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 39 (14 studs, 11 mares, 14 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 12
Summary: Gather operations resumed today and 95 horses were gathered. No animals were released back to the range. 25 animals were shipped.
Animals gathered: 95 (41 studs, 40 mares, 14 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 25 (16 studs, 3 mares, 6 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 11
Summary: Gather operations resumed today and 8 horses were gathered from outside the HMA. No animals were released back to the range. 83 animals were shipped.
Animals gathered: 8 (3 studs, 3 mares, 2 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 83 (26 studs, 38 mares, 19 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 10
Summary: Gather operations resumed today and 100 horses were gathered. The gather site was relocated. 48 horses were shipped.
Animals gathered: 100 (39 studs, 38 mares, 23 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 48
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 9
Summary: Gather operations resumed today and 49 horses were gathered from outside the HMA. The gather site will relocate the morning of Nov. 10.
Animals gathered: 49 (19 studs, 22 mares, 8 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
Tuesday, November 8
Summary: No gather operations today. A new holding facility was set up at the Rock Creek Ranch. A new trap location was set up in the Willow Creek area. Gather operations resume tomorrow.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, November 7
Summary: No horses were gathered today. Seventy-nine (79) horses were shipped to PVC and 49 mares were treated and released back onto the Owyhee Herd Management area.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 49
Animals released: 101
Animals shipped: 79 (24 studs, 39 mares, 16 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 1
Sunday, November 6
Summary: Gather operations continued in the Owhyee HMA with 114 horses gathered. The Henneke Body Condition Score for animals gathered today ranged from 3-5. Sixty-six horses were shipped to PVC.
Animals gathered: 114 (48 studs, 50 mares, 16 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 66 (15 studs, 21 mares, 30 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, November 5
Summary: Gather operations continued with 128 horses gathered with a Henneke Body Condition Score for animals gathered today ranged from 4-5. There were two horses body class 3 and one old buckskin with body class 2.5. Thirty horses were shipped to PVC.
Animals gathered: 128 (43 studs, 55 mares, 30 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 10
Animals shipped: 30 (3 studs, 15 mares, 12 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, November 4
Summary: Gather operations continued with 36 horses gathered. The Henneke Body Condition Score for animals gathered today ranged from 3-5. Thirty nine horses were shipped to PVC.
Animals gathered: 36 (13 studs, 15 mares, 8 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 39 (26 studs, 13 mares)
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Thursday, November 3
Summary: Gather operations continued with 50 horses gathered and 76 horses shipped to PVC. The Henneke Body Condition Score for animals gathered today ranged from 3-5.
Animals gathered: 50 (26 studs, 19 mares, 5 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 76 (27 studs, 34 mares, 15 foals)
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, November 2
Summary: Gather operations continued with 77 horses gathered. Body condition scores for animals gathered today ranged from 4-5. This was the first day of gathering horses.
Animals gathered: 77 (27 studs, 35 mares, 15 foals)
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, November 1
Summary: There were no animals gathered due to set-up of gather operations on-site.
Animals gathered: 0
Mares treated with fertility control: 0
Animals released: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
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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.
Facility Reports
Saturday, December 3
Summary: On Saturday, PVC received 131 horses. All were in good condition.
Animals received: 131
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Sunday, November 27
Summary: On Sunday, PVC received 68 horses. All were in good condition.
Animals received: 68 (32 studs, 22 mares, 14 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Saturday, November 26
Summary: On Sunday, PVC received 83 horses. All horses were in good condition.
Animals received: 83 (26 studs, 37 mares, 20 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Friday, November 25
Summary: On Friday, PVC received 86 horses. All were in good condition.
Animals received: 86 (26 studs, 31 mares, 29 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Monday, November 21
Summary: On Monday, Palomino Valley received 130 hd from the Owhyee Complex gather. All animals ranged in BC 2.5 - 5 and off loaded without incident. They all have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 130 (54 studs, 44 mares, 32 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Saturday, November 18
Summary: Saturday afternoon, PVC received 84 hd from the Owhyee Complex gather, animals ranged in BC 3 - 5 and off loaded without incident. They all have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 84 (13 studs, 44 mares, 27 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Tuesday, November 15
Summary: This afternoon Palomino Valley received 40 horses. All animals ranged in BC of 3.5-5 and off-loaded without incident. All animals have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 40 (23 studs, 11 mares, 6 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Monday, November 14
Summary: This afternoon Palomino Valley received 39 horses. All animals ranged in BC of 3.5-5 and off-loaded without incident. All animals have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 39 (0 studs, 22 mares, 17 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Sunday, November 13
Summary: Palomino Valley received 39 horses today. They ranged in BC of 3.5-5 and off-loaded without incident. All animals have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 39 (14 studs, 11 mares, 14 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Saturday, November 12
Summary: Palomino Valley received 25 horses today. All animals looked to be in good condition.
Animals received: 25
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Friday, November 11
Summary: This afternoon Palomino Valley received 83 horses. All animals received ranged in body condition from 3.5-5 and off loaded without incident. All horses have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 83 (26 studs, 38 mares, 19 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Wednesday, November 9
Summary: This afternoon Palomino Valley received 48 horses. All animals received ranged in body condition from 3.5-5 and off loaded without incident. Young foals were paired up with their mothers. All horses have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 48 (18 studs, 22 mares, 8 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Monday, November 7
Summary: This afternoon Palomino Valley received two loads of horses. All animals received ranged in body condition from 3-5 and off loaded without incident. All horses have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 79 (24 studs, 39 mares, 16 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Sunday, November 6
Summary: This afternoon Palomino Valley received two loads of horses. All animals received ranged in body condition from 3 -5 and off loaded without incident. All horses have grass hay and fresh water available.
Animals received: 66 (15 studs, 21 mares, 30 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Saturday, November 5
Summary: Palomino Valley received 30 horses. All looked to be in good condition.
Animals received: 30 (3 studs, 27 mares and colts)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Friday, November 4
Summary: Palomino Valley received 39 horses this afternoon. All looked to be in good condition.
Animals received: 39
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Thursday, November 3
Summary: Palomino Valley received 76 horses this afternoon. All animals off-loaded without incident and have grass, hay, and fresh water available.
Animals received: 76 (27 studs, 34 mares, 15 foals)
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none
Wednesday, November 2
Summary: No animals were gathered on November 1st.
Animals received: 0
Animal deaths at facility: 0
Cause: none