Roundup Report: Moriah Herd Area, October 2023

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) commenced a significant roundup operation at the Moriah Herd Area on October 17, 2023. This operation, conducted by the well-known helicopter contractor Cattoor Livestock, aimed to remove over 400 wild horses from the area located 48 miles north of Ely, Nevada. The roundup concluded with 440 wild horses removed and two fatalities.

Roundup Report

October 22, 2023

We met BLM personnel at the Ely District office at 5:30 am, with a chilly temperature of 39°F. After traveling 73 miles to the observation site, we awaited instructions and the arrival of the contractors' ground crew. The trap was set at an unusual angle, complicating assessment, but appeared spacious enough when the horses arrived. The trap and run area were watered to minimize dust.

The first run, consisting of five horses, was brought in by helicopter at 8:53 am. The second run, with approximately 16 horses, followed at 9:15 am. The pilot maneuvered a large group back and forth before guiding them into the wing area. The last run was conducted from the saddle behind us, but our location obstructed the view.

Upon returning to the temporary holding area, the road was rough, taking about an hour to reach. At the observation area, horses were still at the trap site, with trailers departing to load them. Normally, we wait for all horses to be processed before a walk-around, but I was allowed to observe while they processed the last load. It was rare to observe the horses up close during processing, and it was heartbreaking to hear them crying out for one another. Foals called for their mares, still waiting to be reunited. The horses were unsettled during processing, but water and hay were available, and the area had room for expansion if needed.

October 21, 2023

21 wild horses were captured, and two deaths occurred: a 2-year-old bay stallion was euthanized due to a clubbed foot, and a 1-year-old sorrel stallion was euthanized for lameness in both front legs.

We encountered a new trap location for observation, situated over a mile away on a challenging hill. The setup made it difficult to use a tripod, and shooting into the sun further complicated assessments. Heatwaves from 8 am hindered visibility. Closer positioning would have provided a better view of the trap and wing area.

Our day began at 5:30 am with the BLM. We traveled 46 miles to the observation site, where the temperature was 52°F by 8:00 am. The trap appeared a mile away, and setting up a tripod on the rocky hill was challenging.

At 8:45 am, the first run occurred with three horses heading towards the trap. The wrangler maintained a steady pace until they reached the catch pen. At 9:14 am, the second run brought in five horses and a young foal/colt. A wrangler roped and walked the foal back.

At 11:05 am, three more horses and a foal were brought in, appearing sweaty. By 12:00 pm, six more horses arrived. At 12:36 pm, two tired horses walked to the trap. Distance, heat waves, and our hillside position severely limited visibility.

At 12:50 pm, we packed up and headed to the temporary holding area. By 1:25 pm, we arrived, but processing for the day was complete. The horses' body scores ranged from 4 to 5. At 1:40 pm, we concluded our day, anticipating a new trap location tomorrow.

October 20, 2023

112 wild horses were captured.

At 6 am, we met with BLM personnel at Majors Station, 30 miles east of Ely. We caravaned on Hwy 50, turned onto SR 893, and continued to CR31 to the observation site. The site and trap were in the same location as the previous day, about 3/4 to 1 mile away.

At the observation site, we could see the trap wings, alleyway, a partial view of the catch pen, and the loading area. Depending on the pilot's direction, horses had to pass through an opening in the barbed wire fencing, marked by pink flags.

We arrived at 7:30 am. The weather was clear, with a temperature of 50°F. One helicopter flew at 7:45 am, refueled, and made its first run at 8:24 am, rounding up five horses, including a foal. At 9:16 am, nine more horses, including another foal, were brought in. The helicopter refueled at 11:00 am, and 25 horses came in from the northwest. A wrangler roped a foal.

Only the last two runs were clean, except for a foal needing roping. At 11:50 am, the pilot brought in 13 horses from the ridge behind the observation site. The roundup perimeter from the trap was 10 miles in any direction. The pilot refueled again at 1:07 pm.

We were initially told the day was finished and to pack up, but another sweep was announced. The temperature was 80°F. I grabbed my camera and returned to the observation site, where the pilot brought in another 15 horses. The horses were about one or two miles from the trap, a long distance at that pace. They appeared very sweaty. Due to heatwaves and dust, viewing was almost impossible at the trap area. I cannot confirm if the trap was watered for dust abatement.

At 2:00 pm, we were informed of another group of horses. At 3:00 pm, the pilot brought in another 15 to 17 horses, and the temperature was 81°F. At 3:10 pm, I returned to the observation site, and the pilot brought in five more horses, including a limping foal.

While returning to the vehicle, we noticed a truck and trailer with a rider. All rounded-up horses so far were outside the Herds Area.

At 4:00 pm, we caravaned 20 miles to temporary holding, arriving at 5:11 pm.

October 19, 2023

99 wild horses were captured.

October 18, 2023

42 wild horses were captured.

The trap site was located approximately 1 mile away. We could see the trap and loading area, but the catch pen, alleyway, and wing opening were obstructed by a hill. The trap seemed constructed according to CAWP regulations, though the loading area needed deeper digging, corrected by a second load.

We met with BLM personnel at 5:30 am at Majors Station and traveled together. We took Hwy 50, turned onto Gandy Rd, and headed north, veering east to the observation point. Today, we are at the same trap/observation location as yesterday. The contractor is Cattoor Livestock Roundup Inc. One helicopter is on site.

Today is a sweep day, meaning all horses are removed before moving the trap. It was a short day. The pilot focused on the area behind the hill, obstructing most runs from view. We witnessed approximately four runs, and one horse was roped by a wrangler, though we couldn't determine if it was a foal or yearling. The horses' body scores appeared between 3-5.

October 17, 2023

63 wild horses were captured.

We drove about 26 miles to the BLM meet site at Majors Station at 5:30 am. The temperature was 52°F. We then caravanned approximately 43 miles to the observation site, taking Highway 50 and turning onto Gandy Rd, going north, then veering east to the observation area in the Snake Valley. The trap site was located approximately 1 mile away. The opening of the wings was obstructed by a hill.

The observation site was a short hike from where we parked. The BLM AE informed us they were zeroing out this Horse Area (HA), but approximately 150 wild horses would remain after the roundup concludes.

Cattoor Livestock Roundup Inc. is the contractor, with one helicopter on site. The rounded-up horses will be taken to the Southerland Holding Facility in Utah. The trap location is about a mile away, with the view of the opening and wings restricted by a hill. We could only see a small part of the alleyway and had a full view of the trap and loading area.

The trap appears constructed according to CAWP regulations. All trucks and trailers seem well-maintained. The flight parameter for this roundup is 10 miles. The temporary holding area is a few miles from the trap area.

At 8:15, the first five horses were brought in. On the second run at 9:20, the pilot brought in horses from behind us, traveling across the valley and getting closer to the knoll. Two horses split off and evaded the trap. It was hard to see exactly how many horses came in.

A foal in the foal trap from the first run seemed panicked as the second run's horses came in. The pilot refueled and headed out. Two trailers left for temporary holding, including the foal. At 11:23, the pilot refueled, and at 11:28, the helicopter was back in the air.

At 11:59, two trailers went to temporary holding. At 1:30, the helicopter refueled. The pilot worked the same area for about an hour, visible on the ridge but no horses came into view.

At 1:50, the pilot brought in about 15 to 20 horses from the trees. He then returned to the same area but came back and landed. At 2:44, the pilot called it a day, packed up, and headed to the short-term holding area. The temperature was 72°F.