Cedar Mountain HMA Roundup Report - September 2022

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a roundup in the Cedar Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) starting on September 17, 2022. This area, located southwest of Salt Lake City in Skull Valley, is adjacent to the Onaqui Mountains HMA. The Cedar Mountain wild horses are known for their striking beauty and wild nature, with nearly 60% being pintos, duns, or buckskins, making them one of the most colorful herds in the West.

The Cedar Mountain HMA spans 211,593 acres, with 97% being BLM land. The area also includes over 200,000 acres of Herd Area (HA) land, originally designated for wild horses in 1971 but removed as habitat in a 2003 land use plan amendment. Over 85,000 HA acres are part of the Dugway Proving Ground U.S. Army Base.

The BLM's management level for the Cedar Mountain HMA is set at 190 to 390 horses, but the current population estimate is 938, including 2022 foals. Winter cattle grazing occurs in the HMA, with the livestock permittee supporting horse protection efforts, such as providing water to prevent emergency removals.

The BLM's plan for the helicopter roundup includes capturing up to 700 wild horses and permanently removing 400. The remaining horses will be released back into the HMA, with stallions returned immediately and mares after receiving fertility control treatment. Horses designated for permanent removal will be sent to the Axtell holding facility, where mares will be treated with GonaCon and returned to the range after two months.

If the BLM's estimates are accurate, the post-roundup population will exceed 500 horses, above the high end of the AML. The BLM's plan includes initiating a fertility control program and a follow-up field darting program for untreated horses, marking a shift from their usual approach.

Roundup Report

The Cedar Mountain roundup concluded with 638 wild horses captured and 8 deceased.

September 25, 2022: 78 wild horses were captured, and 4 were euthanized due to severe health issues.

September 24, 2022: 80 wild horses were captured, with one euthanized due to a broken hind leg.

September 23, 2022: 85 wild horses were captured.

September 22, 2022: 119 wild horses were captured, with one euthanized due to blindness.

Weather was in the 70s, cloudy in the morning, and sunny in the afternoon. The trap site was visible against the mountain, allowing observation of the holding and loading processes.

• Run 1 + 2: 9 horses captured.
• Part 1: A group of 9 horses was split, with 3 captured and 6 escaping.
• Part 2: 5 of the escaped horses were captured after pursuit.
• Run 3: A group of about 30 was pursued, with a lone foal eventually captured.

No horses were captured in this run minus the lost foal.

The trap site was moved, and the new location was harder to observe due to the landscape.

• Run 1 at new trap: 6 horses captured.
• Run 2: 8 horses captured, including 2 foals.
• Run 3: 15 horses captured, with a foal roped and brought in.
• Run 4: 17 horses captured, including 4 foals.
• Run 5: 24 horses captured, including 2 foals.
• Run 6: 18 horses captured.
• Run 7: 14 horses captured, including 2 foals.

September 21, 2022: 21 wild horses were captured.

Weather was cloudy with wind and rain. The trap site was visible, allowing observation of the holding and loading processes.

• Run 1: 5 horses captured, with one stallion evading capture.
• Run 2: 8 horses captured without issues.
• Run 3: 9 horses captured, with 2 evading capture.

30 horses were spotted near Dugway, but military restrictions prevented pursuit.

Temp holding: 3 more horses were added to the release pen, totaling 11.

September 20, 2022: 14 wild horses were captured.

Weather was sunny and windy. The trap site was hard to see due to the landscape.

• Run 1: 2 horses captured.
• Run 2: 6 horses and 2 foals captured.
• Run 3: 3 horses captured.
• Run 4: 3 horses captured, including a foal.

The helicopter pushed hard in the trap wings, but the pilot maintained distance.

September 19, 2022: 56 wild horses were captured with no deaths reported.

Weather was sunny and windy, impacting flying conditions. The trap site was hard to see due to the landscape.

• Run 1: 6 horses captured, including 2 foals.
• Run 2: 30 horses captured, including 3 foals.
• Run 3: 6 horses captured, including 2 foals.
• Run 4: 6 horses captured, including 2 foals.
• Run 5: 3 horses captured.
• Run 6: 5 horses captured, including 2 foals.
• Run 7: 3 horses captured.

September 18, 2022: 59 wild horses were captured.

September 17, 2022: 108 wild horses were captured.