Nevada: The BLM Concluded the Owyhee Complex Wild Horse Gather

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bureau-land-management-concluded-owyhee-complex-wild-horse-gather

November 10 2021

WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – On November 9, 2021, the Humboldt River and Tuscarora Field Office (HRTFO) concluded a wild horse gather. The gather was located in and around the Little Owyhee, Owyhee, Rock Creek and Snowstorm Mountains Herd Management Areas (HMAs) of the Owyhee Complex. The complex is approximately 30 miles northeast of Paradise Valley, Nevada. Approximately 506 wild horses remain in the four HMAs of the Complex. This population estimate does include the 2021 foal crop.

The HRTFO gathered 934 and removed 545 wild horses. 195 studs, 162 mares and 5 foals were released back onto the complex. Mares identified for release were treated with the fertility control vaccine, PZP, to slow the population growth rate of the remaining population within the complex.

The purpose of the gather was to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the HRTFO aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer. Removing excess animals will enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council also alleviating private land issues.

The wild horses removed from the range were transferred to the Sutherland Off-Range Corrals located in Sutherland, Utah. All the animals will be readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption and sale program. Wild horses not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

Additional gather information is available on the BLM website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/33902/510