Bureau of Land Management prepares for major wild horse gather in Nevada

Starting around November 1, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will initiate a significant wild horse gather in Nevada’s Elko and White Pine counties. According to a BLM press release, this operation will take place in and around the Triple B Complex, a vast area spanning 1,608,530 acres of both public and private lands, located roughly 60 miles north of Ely.

Here’s some more information about the operation.

November’s wild horse gather: When, where, and why

The BLM aims to manage the burgeoning wild horse population by gathering up to 2,255 horses, with plans to remove as many as 2,155 that are deemed excess. Part of the strategy includes treating up to 50 mares with the GonaCon vaccine, a population control measure, before releasing them alongside 50 stallions back into their natural habitat. Helicopter-assisted methods will be employed for the gather.

Robbie McAboy, Ely District Manager, emphasized the necessity of these operations, stating, “We conduct gathers like this to ensure that rangeland and wild horse health are not at risk due to herd overpopulation.” McAboy added that the operations are carried out with a strong commitment to safety and humane practices.

The Triple B Complex encompasses the Antelope Valley, Maverick-Medicine, and Triple B Herd Management Areas (HMAs). The combined Appropriate Management Level (AML) for these areas is set between 482 and 821 wild horses. A March 2023 survey estimated the current population to be 3,319, indicating a number more than four times the high end of the AML.

The gather seeks to mitigate the degradation of public lands caused by excess horses, aligning with the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. It also aims to achieve the Standards for Rangeland Health as outlined by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.

With limited water and forage resources, reducing overpopulation is crucial for both immediate and long-term sustainability. The BLM prioritizes humane and efficient gather operations, utilizing the best science and handling practices as per the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy.

Horses removed during the gather will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Sparks and the Indian Lakes Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corral in Fallon. Once there, they will undergo veterinary checks to prepare for the BLM’s adoption and sale program.

Attend in-person or learn more

The public is invited to observe the gather, provided safety guidelines are adhered to and operations are not disrupted. Interested individuals must RSVP by calling 775-296-0679 by 5:30 p.m. the evening before their planned visit. Confirmation of the schedule will be provided by 9 p.m.

This gather follows the DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2017-0010-EA Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan Environmental Assessment, approved on December 21, 2017. More details are available at https://go.usa.gov/xSYnE.

Visit the BLM website for ongoing updates and reports. For further inquiries, contact Ben Noyes, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, at (775) 289-1800 or via email.

To learn more about adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.