BLM Temporarily Suspends Humboldt Wild Horse Water Bait Trap Gather

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Winnemucca District, Humboldt River Field Office has temporarily suspended the Humboldt Wild Horse Water/Bait Trap gather in Pershing County, Nevada. The operation is postponed because gather numbers have been minimal. Gather operations will continue on July 7, 2014, with the anticipation that the horses will be more accustomed to the trap-site structure. As of June 27, a total of 37 horses out of 100 have been gathered.

Understanding Water Bait Trapping

"Water bait trapping is not an exact science and there are many factors that must be considered," BLM Field Manager Victor Lozano said. "Temporarily suspending gather operations will allow the wild horses to become familiar with the facilities, reducing skittishness."

The gather area is comprised of 431,544 acres of both private and public lands. Removing the excess wild horses will help prevent further deterioration of the range and water resources, as well as address safety issues on roads and private land issues. There are currently an estimated 282 wild horses from an aerial population count conducted in May 2014.

Gather Operations and Future Plans

The contractor for this gather is Cattoor Livestock of Nephi, Utah. The gathered animals will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nevada, where they will be prepared for the BLM adoption program. Horses not adopted 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. The BLM does not sell or send any horses to slaughter.

For further information, a Gather Information Hotline has been set up at (775) 623-1747.

From the Bureau of Land Management

Originally Posted By KTVN