Daily Reports: Pine Nut Mountains Wild Horse Roundup 2019
Overview
The Pine Nut Mountains Wild Horse Roundup began on February 7, 2019, after a delay due to snow and ice. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) aims to remove approximately 575 wild horses from the Herd Management Area (HMA) as part of a decade-long plan. This plan includes population control measures, public education, habitat improvement, and monitoring protocols.
The Pine Nut Mountains HMA covers 95,391 acres of BLM public lands and 8,925 acres of mixed private and public lands, totaling 104,316 acres. The BLM has set a population limit of 118-179 wild horses for this area.
The BLM has assured that the roundup will not affect the Fish Springs wild horses living outside the HMA. These horses were previously at the center of a controversy when the BLM proposed removing 70 horses from their population.
We are on-site at the roundup, providing daily updates. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Background
Pine Nut wild horses free on the range, taken last week.
The original wild horse habitat, known as the Herd Area, spans 251,792 acres, with 183,479 acres managed by the BLM. In 1975, the BLM estimated 297 wild horses in the Pine Nut Mountains Herd Area. By 1982, the BLM decided to eliminate horses from the southern portion of this area due to requests from private landowners. In 1986, the BLM set the Appropriate Management Level (AML) at 387 horses for the northern area. This was revised in 1995 to allow only 119-179 horses.
In 2016, the BLM reported over 357 horses inside and 222 outside the HMA. Many horses outside the HMA are near the HMA/HA border, likely moving between these areas. The BLM does not account for natural horse movements when setting boundaries. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) believes these movements should be considered to adjust boundaries accordingly.
The BLM claims that Pine Nut wild horses congregate in the northern HMA, despite more resources elsewhere. AWHC questioned whether fencing restricts horse movement within the HMA. The BLM denies using fencing as a barrier.
Operations
Day 13, February 19, 2019: AWHC's field representative observed BLM contractors removing 17 wild horses. The observation area was about a mile from the trap site near Artesia Lake. Band stallions were seen fighting while being chased by the helicopter.
Day 12, February 18, 2019: The BLM captured and removed 7 wild horses. AWHC's observer was not onsite.
Day 11, February 17, 2019: The operation was canceled due to inclement weather.
Day 10, February 16, 2019: AWHC's Field Representative was the only public observer. Helicopters flew for 4 hours before the operation was canceled due to wind. No horses were captured, but cattle were seen near the trap site.
Day 9, February 15, 2019: The operation was canceled due to inclement weather.
Day 8, February 14, 2019: Helicopters did not fly due to inclement weather.
Day 7, February 13, 2019: Helicopters did not fly due to inclement weather.
Day 6, February 12, 2019: The BLM removed 22 wild horses before high winds halted the operation. Horses were taken to the BLM's Palomino Valley Center.
Day 5, February 11, 2019: The BLM removed 60 wild horses. A small foal was observed with its mother, who stayed with her foal as they diverted from the trap.
Day 4, February 10, 2019: High winds and snow delayed the roundup. The BLM captured 105 wild horses with no reported deaths. Horses were stressed, with some falling and one attempting to escape.
Day 3, February 9, 2019: The BLM removed 36 wild horses. High winds ended the operation early. Horses were visibly stressed during loading.
Day 2, February 8, 2019: 49 wild horses were captured. Some mustangs escaped the trap. Observation was limited due to distance and landscape.
Day 1, February 7, 2019: 44 wild horses were captured. The observation point was a mile from the trap site. The helicopter pilot was gentle, but the loss of freedom for the horses was evident.