Carson City, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Carson City District Office has concluded bait trapping 11 problem wild horses on the outskirts of Carson City, Nevada. The horses were transported to the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City, where they will be prepared for an adoption event on Saturday, March 23, at Silver Saddle Ranch in southeast Carson City.
The horses are a part of the Pine Nut Mountains herd management area (HMA) that is adjacent to Deer Run Road in Carson City. These horses routinely cross the Carson River into River View City Park, where the BLM has received several complaints of people feeling threatened by the wild horses. The horses are outside of HMA boundaries the majority of the time and residents, especially horse owners, can quickly find themselves in potentially dangerous situations as domestic wild horse encounters can be very unpredictable and uncontrollable.
“We have successfully gathered the horses, and hope the community will feel safe knowing there’s not a potential of hitting them on the road, or confronting them in public areas,” said Leon Thomas, Sierra Front Field Manager. “We know the community loves and appreciates these horses, so we hope some of the residents will be able to give them a home in the area they’re accustomed to.”
The BLM recognizes that these horses have been part of the community for many years; however, it is responsible for keeping wild horses from creating a safety hazard or threatening the well-being of the community and its animals. In the past two years, four horses have been struck and killed by vehicles, and community complaints submitted to the BLM have ranged from concern for the safety of residents’ children, to stallions fighting with domestic horses through fences. In all complaints, there were safety concerns and property damage.
The BLM follows the Code of Federal Regulations 4720.2-1, which mandates the removal of strayed animals from private lands based on written request from landowners. The bait trapping is in response to several complaint letters the BLM has received in past months from private landowners.
The appropriate management level for the Pine Nut Mountains HMA is 119 to 179 with a current population of 293.
More information regarding the upcoming adoption will be forthcoming, and will be made available at: www.blm.gov
