Muddy Creek Wild Horse Gather Set to Begin in Utah

September 7, 2018

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that due to continued drought conditions and an overpopulation of wild horses, a gather of excess horses from areas in and around the Muddy Creek Herd Management Area (HMA) in Emery County, Utah, will begin on September 11.

Approximately 149 animals will be removed to reach the appropriate management level (AML) of 75-125 animals. Once gather operations are completed and the AML is achieved, fertility control will be administered to help reduce population increases in the HMA.

The Muddy Creek HMA is located approximately 20 miles south of Ferron, in the San Rafael Swell, covering about 283,400 acres of public and state lands.

Public Observation Opportunities

Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily operations through BLM-escorted tours, provided conditions remain safe for animals and participants and gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water, and food, as no public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing, along with binoculars and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles.

Interested individuals can meet at two locations for daily tours: the Gas-n-Go convenience store at 970 West Main Street, Green River, Utah, departing at 6:00 a.m. MDT, or UT I-70 Exit 131, Temple Mountain Road at the kiosk on the south side of the exit, departing at 6:30 a.m. MDT. Gather and tour information may change daily and will be posted each evening on the BLM Utah gather hotline at 801/539-4050.

Safety and Logistics

Visitors and observers should be aware that low-flying helicopters will be used as part of the operation. Drone use near the San Rafael Swell region south of I-70 from the McKay Flat area, west to the Cathedral Valley scenic byway, will be prohibited during the gather to ensure the safety of the operation. Traffic may also be stopped for short intervals on roads in the area to allow for the safe movement of horses during gather operations.

Horses removed from the range will be transported to the Delta Wild Horse Facility in Delta, Utah. The facility will be closed when the horses are being off-loaded and for a period following to allow the horses to settle before being prepped for the adoption and sale program.

Gather updates and information will be posted at go.usa.gov/xUerB. Updates can also be received on Twitter by following @BLMUtah or searching #BLMUTWildHorseGather.

The gather is expected to last approximately six days. For additional information on participating in public observation days, contact Lisa Reid, public affairs specialist, at 435/743-3128 or [email protected].

Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf can call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800/877-8339 to leave a message or question for Lisa Reid. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.

Originally posted by The Horse