2024 North Lander Complex Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The gather is being conducted to address the overpopulation in the Complex, prevent deterioration of the rangeland due to that overpopulation, and remove horses from private lands and areas not designated for their long-term use. The area is almost entirely composed of Greater Sage-Grouse priority habitat and much of the area is categorized as winter/yearlong or crucial mule deer and pronghorn range.
The Complex has an appropriate management level (AML) of 320-536 wild horses. Based on August 2023 aerial surveys using infrared technology and methodology, the BLM estimates that the Complex’s population is approximately 3,035 wild horses.
Details of Gather:
The Complex is made up of the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin and Rock Creek Mountain herd management areas in central Wyoming.
The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 2,715 excess wild horses using the helicopter-assisted method in conformance with the approved 10-year adaptive gather and management plan for the Complex. During this first gather, most horses caught will be removed in order to return the population to within its AML. Subsequent removals gathers over the 10-year period will focus on removing young and highly adoptable animals, and administering population control measures for older and less adoptable animals and returning them to the range.
BLM staff and contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy.
Public Observation:
Opportunities are available 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. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. Participants must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Those interested in observing the gather must notify Sarah Beckwith at sbeckwith@blm.gov.
Adoption Information:
All removed horses will be transported to the Wheatland Off-Range Corral. Upon arrival at the facility, they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse adoption and sale program. Please visit the BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/whb to learn more about adopting a wild horse or burro.
Background:
The environmental assessment, decision record and other associated documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
Learn more about the North Lander Complex at blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/herd-management-areas/wyoming/north-lander.
- Daily Gather Reports
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[Weekday, Month Day]
Summary: (Gather status, temp and weather conditions)
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
- PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
- PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
- GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
- IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
- Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Gather Status
This gather is expected to begin on July 1, 2024.
Animals Gathered: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
PZP: 0 (0 Mares)
PZP-22: 0 (0 Mares)
GonaCon: 0 (0 Mares)
IUD: 0 (0 Mares)
Sterilizations: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares)
Animals Released:
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 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"