Pine Nut Wild Horse Roundup Report: Summer 2019

The Pine Nut Mountains Herd Management Area (HMA) spans 95,391 acres ofBLMpublic lands, with an additional 8,925 acres of mixed private and otherpublic lands, totaling 104,316 acres. TheBLMhas set a population limit of just 118-179 wild horses within the HMA.

TheBLMhas confirmed that this roundup will not impact the Fish Springs wild horses, who live just outside the HMA. These horses were at the center of controversy last summer when theBLMannounced plans to remove 70 wild horses from the small population.

Background

The original wild horse habitat, known as the Herd Area, covered 251,792 acres, with 183,479 acres managed by theBLM. In 1975, theBLMestimated 297 animals in the Pine Nut Mountains Herd Area. By 1982, theBLMplanned to eliminate wild horses from the southern portion of the Herd Area, a decision influenced by private landowners. In 1986, theBLMset the Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the northern Herd Management Area at 387 horses. However, by 1995, the AML was revised to allow only 119-179 horses.

In 2016, theBLMreported over 357 horses inside and 222 outside the HMA. Today, many horses identified as "outside" the HMA are primarily in the Herd Area or on the HMA and HA border. These horses likely move between the borders, unaware of the artificial lines set by theBLM. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) believes that natural wild horse movements, which depend on nutritional and water needs, should be considered when establishing boundaries.

TheBLMclaims that Pine Nut wild horses congregate in the northern HMA and are not evenly distributed, despite more vegetation and water in other areas. AWHC questioned whether fencing was keeping horses out of certain allotments within the HMA. TheBLMasserts that fencing was not used in the HMA and would not prevent horses from utilizing the entire area.

Report

August 1, 2019

Six wild horses were rounded up and removed today from the Pine Nut HMA outside Carson City, Nevada. Advocates on the ground believe there are not many horses left to round up.

July 31, 2019

Our field representative was one of just two public members at the Pine Nut wild horse roundup. Six horses were rounded up and removed, and there was one death. An adult black mare was euthanized after suffering a broken front leg.

July 30, 2019

Our field representative was one of six public members at the roundup. The observation area was miles away from the trap site, making it difficult to see anything, even with binoculars and a telephoto lens.

The helicopter contractors attempted to capture a large group of horses that evaded capture the previous day. After several attempts, these horses managed to evade capture again. Later, they rounded up three horses before ending the day. Locals noted that few horses remained after the winter roundup.

July 29, 2019

Twenty-one horses were rounded up and removed from thePine Nut Mountains HMA. The observation area was limited, placed behind a mountain and about a mile from the trap site.

The helicopter contractors stampeded a large group for several hours in temperatures ranging from 88 to the mid-90s Fahrenheit. Despite repeated attempts, the exhausted group, including foals, managed to escape.