Fifteenmile Roundup, Day 3

The incident started on September 15.  Results through September 17:

  • Scope: Fifteenmile HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 230
  • Pre-gather population: 386
  • Type: Planned
  • Contractor: Sampson
  • Contract amount: $198,732
  • Unit cost: $695
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Sterilize the mares with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 286
  • Removal goal: 286
  • Captured: 356, up from 238 on Day 1
  • Shipped: 164, up from zero on Day 1
  • Released: 109, up from zero on Day 1
  • Deaths: 7, up from zero on Day 1
  • Average daily take: 118.7
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 76
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

Seven horses were euthanized on Day 3 for pre-existing conditions.

The death rate is 2.0%.

The capture total includes 131 stallions, 157 mares and 68 foals.

Youngsters represented 19.1% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 45.5% were male and 54.5% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

There are no plans to treat any of the mares with fertility control pesticides and return them to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  Resources liberated to date:

  • Forage: 2,964 AUMs per year
  • Water: 2,470 gallons per day

PREVIOUS: Fifteenmile Roundup Begins.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Challis Roundup Ends

The incident concluded on September 16 with 226 horses gathered and removed according to the BLM news release.

The original plan was to capture 281 and remove 146.

The news release does not say if any of the mares would be treated with fertility control and returned to the HMA at a later date.

The daily reports indicate two unaccounted-for animals:

226 captured – 223 shipped – 1 dead = 2 not accounted for

The capture total included 75 stallions, 101 mares, 7 geldings and 43 foals.

The death rate was 0.4%.

The average daily take was 28.3.

The operation liberated 2,712 AUMs per year for other mandated uses of public lands.

RELATED: Challis Roundup Announced.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

PLC Presents 2026 Rangeland Stewardship Awards

They were distributed yesterday at the annual meeting of the Public Lands Council.

The winner in the Stewardship Permittee category grazes the Yellowjacket Canyon Allotment in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument according to the BLM news release.

The allotment master report puts it in the Maintain category with 103 active AUMs on 2,563 public acres.

The equivalent stocking rate is 3.3 wild horses per thousand public acres, a bit higher than the target rate across all HMAs of one wild horse per thousand acres.

The meeting included a breakout session on virtual fencing, a topic of growing interest among ranchers.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Challis Roundup, Day 7

The incident started on September 9.  Results through September 15:

  • Scope: Challis HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 253
  • Pre-gather population: 330
  • Type: Planned
  • Contractor: Cattoor
  • Contract amount: $171,690
  • Unit cost: $611
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Stop genetic mixing with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 281
  • Removal goal: 146
  • Captured: 206, up from 172 on Day 5
  • Shipped: 203, up from 129 on Day 5
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 1, no change from Day 5
  • Average daily take: 29.4
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 2
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

The death rate is 0.5%.

The capture total includes 70 stallions, 7 geldings, 92 mares and 37 foals.

Youngsters represented 18.0% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 45.6% were male and 54.4 % were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

Up to 54 mares will be treated with fertility control and returned to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  Resources liberated to date:

  • Forage: 2,472 AUMs per year
  • Water: 2,060 gallons per day

PREVIOUS: Challis Roundup, Day 5.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Fifteenmile Roundup Announced

The incident began today according to a BLM news release.

The capture and removal goals are 286 each.

The target is horses.

The pre-gather population is 386.

The method of capture was not stated but is probably helicopter.

The contractor is Sampson and the contract amount is $198,732.

The HMA will be closed to all public access except for observers escorted by BLM staff.

Animals identified for removal will be taken to the Rock Springs off-range corrals.

There are no plans to treat any of the mares with fertility control pesticides and return them to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  That’s why there are no natural predators.

PREVIOUS: Fifteenmile Roundup Getting Closer.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Barren Valley Roundup, Day 11

The incident started on September 4.  Results through September 14:

  • Scope: Sheepshead/Heath Creek HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 302
  • Pre-gather population: 1,200
  • Type: Emergency
  • Contractor: Cattoor
  • Contract amount: $269,383
  • Unit cost: $540
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Destroy the breeding population with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 499
  • Removal goal: 499
  • Captured: 251, no change from Day 9
  • Shipped: 240, up from 206 on Day 9
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 2, no change from Day 9
  • Average daily take: 22.8
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 9
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

No animals were taken on Days 10 and 11 due to helicopter maintenance.

THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

The death rate is 0.8%.

The capture total includes 90 stallions, 106 mares and 55 foals.

Youngsters represented 21.9% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 45.9% were male and 54.1% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

There are no plans to treat any of the mares with fertility control pesticides and return them to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.

PREVIOUS: Barren Valley Roundup, Day 9.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Wild Horse Word Problems

If you’re a hunter or rancher, which option would you support?

(1) Helicopter roundups + Compensatory reproduction = Recovery of genetic health

(2) Helicopter roundups + Fertility control = Little if any recovery

(3) Continual application of fertility control = No recovery = Extermination

Are you surprised that the advocates prefer #3, the worst choice of all?

Allotment conversions to wild horse preserves haven’t been accepted by the advocates.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Forever Barren

The advocates want to impose genetic bottlenecks on wild horse herds from which there is no escape.

Science-based population management is a codeword for perpetual application of PZP, which means they won’t remain on the range.

Interesting how they contradict themselves.

They are pesticide salesmen, not conservationists.

Their goal is extermination, not preservation.

They have nothing in common with Velma.

Harder to find than a Salt River foal.

RELATED: Science Not Always Benevolent.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Challis Roundup, Day 5

The incident started on September 9.  Results through September 13:

  • Scope: Challis HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 253
  • Pre-gather population: 330
  • Type: Planned
  • Contractor: Cattoor
  • Contract amount: $171,690
  • Unit cost: $611
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Create a genetic bottleneck with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 281
  • Removal goal: 146
  • Captured: 172, up from 114 on Day 3
  • Shipped: 129, up from 74 on Day 3
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 1, no change from Day 3
  • Average daily take: 34.4
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 42
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

The death rate is 0.6%.

The capture total includes 57 stallions, 5 geldings, 80 mares and 30 foals.

Youngsters represented 17.4% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 43.7% were male and 56.3% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

Up to 54 mares will be treated with fertility control and returned to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  Resources liberated to date:

  • Forage: 2,064 AUMs per year
  • Water: 1,720 gallons per day

PREVIOUS: Challis Roundup, Day 3.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

CRS Looks at Proposed Funding of BLM in FY27

The report says there are an estimated 85,466 wild horses and burros on BLM lands, more than triple the level the range can support, a common misconception about AMLs.

A more accurate statement would say triple the number allowed by plan.

Many HMAs would be well above AML if you removed all the wild horses because of privately owned livestock.

That part is usually overlooked or swept under the rug.

RELATED: House Proposes $144 Million for WHB Program in FY27.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

BLM Seeks ORCs in Oklahoma

The facilities must be within 50 miles of the ORC at Pauls Valley according to the combined solicitation and statement of work.

The notice at SAM says the acquisition has been set aside for Indian-Owned Small Business Economic Enterprises.

The contractor will provide all land, facilities, maintenance, food, water, infrastructure, labor and equipment to care for wild horses and burros.

No other animals will be allowed except the contractor’s saddle horses.

The facilities will support private care placement events and serve as waypoints for horses headed to other ORCs, satellite adoption events and off-range pastures.

Capacity is 200 to 550 animals.

The contract type is fixed fee and the term is five years.

Proposals are due by September 30.

It’s not clear if the award will include more than one facility and if NEPA reviews are required.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Barren Valley Roundup, Day 9

The incident started on September 4.  Results through September 12:

  • Scope: Sheepshead/Heath Creek HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 302
  • Pre-gather population: 1,200
  • Type: Emergency
  • Contractor: Cattoor
  • Contract amount: $269,383
  • Unit cost: $540
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Stop the transmission of life with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 499
  • Removal goal: 499
  • Captured: 251, up from 183 on Day 7
  • Shipped: 206, up from 166 on Day 7
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 2, no change from Day 7
  • Average daily take: 27.9
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 43
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

The death rate is 0.8%.

The capture total includes 90 stallions, 106 mares and 55 foals.

Youngsters represented 21.9% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 45.9% were male and 54.1% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

There are no plans to treat any of the mares with fertility control pesticides and return them to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  Removal of wild horses may not liberate any food or water for livestock due to wildfire and drought.

PREVIOUS: Barren Valley Roundup, Day 7.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Challis Roundup, Day 3

The incident started on September 9.  Results through September 11:

  • Scope: Challis HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 253
  • Pre-gather population: 330
  • Type: Planned
  • Contractor: Cattoor
  • Contract amount: $171,690
  • Unit cost: $611
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Destroy the breeding population with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 281
  • Removal goal: 146
  • Captured: 114, up from 51 on Day 1
  • Shipped: 74, up from 32 on Day 1
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 1, no change from Day 1
  • Average daily take: 38.0
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 39
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

The death rate is 0.9%.

The capture total includes 38 stallions, 3 geldings, 50 mares and 23 foals.

Youngsters represented 20.2% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 45.1% were male and 54.9% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

Up to 54 mares will be treated with fertility control and returned to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  Resources liberated to date:

  • Forage: 1,368 AUMs per year
  • Water: 1,140 gallons per day

PREVIOUS: Challis Roundup Begins.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Sand Wash Roundup Delayed?

It’s on the schedule with a start date of September 10 but the gather page says September 17.

The contractor is Cattoor and the contract amount is $222,590 according to a report at USA Spending.

A reason for the change might be contractor availability.

PREVIOUS: BLM Closing Public Lands for Sand Wash Roundup.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Barren Valley Roundup, Day 7

The incident started on September 4.  Results through September 10:

  • Scope: Sheepshead/Heath Creek HMA
  • Target: Horses
  • AML: 302
  • Pre-gather population: 1,200
  • Type: Emergency
  • Contractor: Cattoor
  • Contract amount: $269,383
  • Unit cost: $540
  • Method: Helicopter
  • Category: Cruel and costly (according to advocates)
  • Better way: Sterilize the mares with PZP (according to advocates)
  • Capture goal: 499
  • Removal goal: 499
  • Captured: 183, no change from Day 5
  • Shipped: 166, no change from Day 5
  • Released: None
  • Deaths: 2, no change from Day 5
  • Average daily take: 26.1
  • Unaccounted-for animals: 15
  • Snippet from statute: It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death
  • Snippet from manual: To protect wild horses and burros from unauthorized capture, branding, harassment or death

The figures above are based on the daily reports.

No animals were taken on Days 6 and 7 due to helicopter maintenance.

The death rate is 1.1%.

The capture total includes 64 stallions, 79 mares and 40 foals.

Youngsters represented 21.9% of the animals gathered.

Of the adults, 44.8% were male and 55.2% were female.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

There are no plans to treat any of the mares with fertility control pesticides and return them to the range.

The HMA is subject to permitted grazing.  Removal of wild horses may not liberate any food or water for livestock due to wildfire and drought.

PREVIOUS: Barren Valley Roundup, Day 5.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.

Foal-Free-Friday, Down for the Count Edition

Compensatory reproduction is a natural response to a genetic bottleneck created by a roundup.

The advocates think it’s a defect of nature, evident in their comments on the Stone Cabin management plan.

Their solution is fertility control, a method that slows or prevents recovery of genetic health.

No longer in print.

Other techniques include sex ratio skewing and surgical sterilization.

The advocates want the horse populations beaten down with no possibility of recovery, while claiming the government is managing the herds to extinction.

They are phonies, leaders of the blind, and don’t deserve a penny of your support.

PREVIOUS: Foal-Free Friday, Surviving the Bottleneck Edition.

► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.