The incident will begin on February 8, according to today’s news release, even though the Decision Record, signed on January 24, is subject to a 30-day appeal period.
Helicopters will push the horses into the traps and operations will be open to public observation.
The capture goal is 376 and the removal goal is unknown. Population suppression of unspecified type will be applied to slow the herd growth rate.
The HMA covers 265,675 acres in western Utah and the 250 horses allowed by plan require 3,000 AUMs per year. The stocking rate allowed by plan is 0.9 wild horses per thousand acres.
The pre-gather population is thought to be around 600 wild horses.
The HMA intersects nine grazing allotments, according to Table 3.1 of the Final EA for resource enforcement actions therein, and livestock receive an estimated 10,256 AUMs per year, assuming the resource is evenly distributed across the allotments.
The HMA is 100% subject to permitted grazing and the horses receive 23% of the authorized forage, but it does have a Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP).
Captured animals will be taken to the Axtell off-range corrals.
Gather stats and daily reports will be posted to this page.
RELATED: Sulphur Resource Enforcement Plan Approved, First Awareness.
Western Horse Watchers Association 