2019 Range Creek Wild Horse Gather
Begins: September 26, 2019
Ends: October 2, 2019
Overview:
The BLM will gather approximately 200 horses from Federal, State and private lands. The appropriate management level for this HMA is 75-125 animals and the current population 282 horses, which is projected to reach 338 with the addition of the 2019 foals. Horses removed from the range will be transported to the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah.
Public lands will remain open unless closures are deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Outdoor recreationists and visitors to the gather area should be aware that there will be low flying helicopters. The recreational use of drones is discouraged from Bruin Point to Nine Mile Canyon, and from Dry Canyon east to Rock Creek Canyon. Brief road closures may also be needed to allow movement of horses during gather operations.
Anyone interested can get updates on Twitter by following @BLMUtah or searching #RangeCreekGather. To learn more about how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit the BLM National Wild Horse and Burro website at www.blm.gov/whb or call (866) 468-7826.
Public Observation
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily operations through BLM-escorted tours so long as conditions remain safe for both the horses and participants, and ensuring that gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water, and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended. To protect the wild horses and the horse gather operations, no drones will be allowed to be flown in the vicinity of the gather sites. Details on the BLM-escorted tours will be updated each evening during the gather and announced daily on the BLM gather hotline at (801) 539-4050.
Gather operations will begin on Sept. 26 on private land where public observation will NOT be available. For those interested in observing the gather, opportunities begin on Sunday, Sept. 29 and individuals should meet at Millers Wellington Chevron convenience store located at 2195 East Main Street, Wellington, Utah where tours will depart at 6:00 a.m. MDT.
For additional information on participating in public observation days, contact Lisa Reid, Public Affairs Specialist, at (435) 743-3128 or lreid@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for Lisa Reid. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
Daily Gather Reports
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Summary: Sixty three horses were gathered today. Body scores of the horses were 4's. There were no members of the public viewing the event due to the gather being on private land. Approximately 25 members of the public were at the temporary holding facility.
Animals gathered: 63 (21 stallions, 32 mares, 10 foals)
Animals shipped: 37
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Friday, September 27, 2019
Summary: Nine horses were gathered today. Body scores of the horses were 4's. There were no members of the public viewing the event due to the gather being on private land. There were 12 members of the public were at the temporary holding facility.
Animals gathered: 9 (3 stallions, 5 mares, 1 foals)
Animals shipped: 35
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Summary: Thirty four horses were gathered today. Body scores of the horses were 4's. There were no members of the public viewing the event due to the gather being on private land. There were 8 members of the public were at the temporary holding facility.
Animals gathered: 34 (8 stallions, 22 mares, 4 foals)
Animals shipped: 34
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Summary: Zero horses were gathered today. No gather operations today due to high winds. There were 4 members of the public present today.
Animals gathered: 0
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Monday, September 30, 2019
Summary: Twelve horses were gathered today. Body scores of the horses were 4's. There were 6 members of the public viewing the event. There were 19 members of the public were at the temporary holding facility. One filly was humanely euthanized after severely injuring herself during gather.
Animals gathered: 12 (2 stallions, 7 mares, 3 foals)
Animals shipped: 0
Total Deaths Today: 1
Acute: 1
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Summary: Twenty-two horses were gathered today. Body scores of the horses were 4's. There were 5 members of the public viewing the event. There were approximately 20 members of the public were at the temporary holding facility.
Animals gathered: 22 (10 stallions, 10 mares, 2 foals)
Animals shipped: 33
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Summary: Fourteen horses were gathered today. Body scores of the horses were 4's. There were 2 members of the public viewing the event. There were six members of the public at the temporary holding facility.
Animals gathered: 14 (7 stallions, 4 mares, 3 foals)
Animals shipped: 14
Total Deaths Today: 0
Acute: 0
Chronic/Pre-existing: 0