The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to begin a helicopter roundup in the Little Book Cliffs Herd Management Area on September 11, 2024. The 36,113-acre area, primarily managed by the BLM, is located in northwest Colorado. A population survey from January 2018 estimates 211 wild horses in the region. Citing an unscientific appropriate management level (AML) of 90-150 horses the BLM plans to capture 140 horses, removing 120 and administering fertility control treatment PZP to the remaining 20, resulting in a 57% herd reduction. The captured horses will be moved to the Canon City Off-Range Corral for short-term holding (STH). The operation is expected to conclude by September 18.
Post Roundup Summary
Contractor: Sampson Livestock LLC (paid $173,862) and/or Rocking A Livestock, Inc. (paid $126,266).
STH: Cañon City Wild Horse Off-Range Corral
AWHC is on the ground—read our daily reports below
September 18, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: Roundup was conducted from 8:14 AM to 10:50 AM.
Total captured today: 6 (1 Stallions, 4 Mares, 1 Foals)
1 Death.
24-year-old mare was euthanized following an acute injury to her right rear leg
September 17, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: Roundup operations cancelled today due to weather.
Total shipped today: 40 Horses
September 16, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: Roundup was conducted from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Total captured today: 18 (5 Stallions, 12 Mares, 1 Foals)
2 Deaths.
2-year-old mare euthanized for pre-existing knee injury
23-year-old mare euthanized for pre-existing knee injury with severe infection
September 15, 2024*According to BLM report
Summary: Roundup was conducted from 8 AM to 11:30 AM.
Daily total
Captured: 19 (6 Stallions, 9 Mares, 4 Foals)
Shipped: 38 Horses
September 14, 2024*According to BLM report
Weather: 60°-80°F during roundup (8:45 AM-2:20 PM)
Total captured today: 71 (18 Stallions, 42 Mares, 11 Foals)
September 13, 2024*According to BLM report
Weather: 59°-78°F during roundup (7:30 AM- 3:30 PM)
Total captured today: 7 (3 Stallions, 4 Mares)
September 12, 2024
Weather: 61°-73°F during roundup (7:30-9:00 AM)
Summary: Like yesterday’s roundup, observers were placed two miles from the operation and could not see any horses. The helicopter was seen 2-3 miles in the distance. Operations concluded early (9:00 AM) due to a red flag warning. Observers were unable to visit the temporary holding.
Total captured today: 9 (1 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 3 Foals) *According to BLM report
Observer view of operations.
September 11, 2024
Weather: 52°-78°F
Summary: Observers were placed two miles from the operation and could not see any horses pushed into the trap. Operations concluded early (12:42 PM) due to lightning.
Total captured today: 10 (3 Stallions, 6 Mares, and 1 Foals)*According to BLM report
Last updated September 2024
