2019 Caliente Complex Nuisance Wild Horse Gather

The 2019 Caliente Complex Nuisance Wild Horse Gather concluded on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Caliente Field Office on or about July 29, 2019 will conduct an in-house, wild horse gather to remove excess wild horses from in and around the Caliente Complex of Herd Areas (HAs), and Eagle and Silver King Herd Management Areas (HMAs). The purpose of the gather is to address horses outside the HAs and HMAs that are a public safety risk and that are damaging private property.

Details of Gather

The BLM will begin gather operations on or about July 29, 2019. The gather is expected to last approximately 60 days. The gather will be conducted by BLM staff using a bait and water trap method; no contracted helicopters will be used. The BLM plans to gather and remove up to 100 excess wild horses. 

Public Observation

The BLM’s priority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild horse gather operations while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals. The BLM will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting the overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with its Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy. Because animals are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity, only essential gather operation personnel will be allowed at the trap site during gather operations.

Adoption Information

Wild horses identified for removal will be transported to the Indian Lakes Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corral in Fallon, Nev., where they will be checked by a veterinarian and prepared for the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sale Program. For information on how to bring home a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb. 

Background

The Caliente Herd Area Complex’s nine HAs are managed for zero wild horses due to insufficient forage and water to sustain healthy and viable herds long-term. Currently, an estimated 2,085 wild horses reside within the Complex. The wild horse population in the Eagle HMA is estimated at 2,253 animals. Appropriate Management Level (AML) is 100-210 wild horses. The Silver King HMA has a wild horse population of 365 wild horses. AML is 60-128 wild horses.

Due to limited forage and water, excess wild horses are leaving the HAs and HMAs and crossing roadways in search of resources. Vehicle collisions with wild horses have occurred on U.S. Highway 93 and wild horses have been spotted on State Routes 319 and 322 outside Panaca and Pioche, Nev. The animals are also causing considerable damage to private property.

The Caliente Herd Area Complex, and Eagle and Silver King HMAs are located in southern Lincoln County, around Caliente, Nevada, and are administered by the BLM Ely District, Caliente Field Office.