Forest Service to Round Up 1,000 Wild Horses in California
ALTURAS, Calif.— As conditions permit, the Modoc National Forest plans to begin the gather and removal of approximately 1,000 wild horses from the Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory on October 9, 2018. Gather operations are expected to run through all of October.
This action is prescribed by the 2013 Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory Management Plan to help address impacts on aquatic resources, wildlife, grazing, and traditional cultural practices. Reducing the population will allow range and riparian ecological conditions to recover, while also supporting wild horse herd health by reducing competition for limited food, water, and habitat.
The 2013 Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory Management Plan is found online at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=32426. This plan designates an appropriate management level of 206-402 adult wild horses. There are currently an estimated 3,900 on and around the territory.
Viewing opportunities will be offered for a limited number of public and media representatives on a first-come-first-served basis. Viewers will need to call ahead of time to make reservations, arrive at 225 W. Eighth St. in Alturas by 6 a.m., follow forest personnel to the parking location, and remain on site until activities are complete for the day.
Tours of the sorting facility will be offered daily after gather operations. Please call 530-233-8738 for more information and to reserve your date to view gather operations.
Most gathered horses are expected to be under 10 years old and will be available for adoption at the BLM Litchfield Corrals. The Devil’s Garden offers colorful and stout horses that can be trained for any number of uses. More information on how to adopt wild horses from the BLM is available at https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/, [email protected] or by calling 866-468-7826.
Gathered horses 10 and older will be cared for at the new Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals on the Modoc National Forest and offered for adoption and sale. Applications for adoption of these older horses and information about sales is available at https://go.usa.gov/xQ3r3.