EUREKA – As part of its efforts to effectively manage public rangeland resources, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is gathering approximately 500 wild horses from the Fish Creek Herd Management Area (HMA) located about 20 miles south of Eureka, Nevada.
150 mares will be treated with a two-year fertility control vaccine and released back to the HMA along with about 150 studs. BLM will also remove as many as 200 horses from the HMA to be placed into the BLM’s adoption program.
The appropriate management level (AML) for the Fish Creek HMA is up to 170 wild horses, which is the number of horses BLM has determined can exist in the HMA while still providing for a thriving natural ecological balance.
The population of wild horses in the Fish Creek HMA is estimated at 549.
Based on the recent population inventory, on-going drought conditions within the HMA and monitoring data showing the impact on rangeland resources due to wild horse overpopulation, the BLM has determined that a long-term plan for controlling the population growth rate of wild horses in the Fish Creek HMA is needed.
The public is welcome to attend the gather and is encouraged to check the gather hotline nightly (775-861-6700) for departure times and other pertinent information. For additional gather information, including what you need to know before attending the gather, visitation protocols, ground rules and the associated adoption event following the gather, visit http://on.doi.gov/161y5Yh.
SOURCE: BLM.
