The incident began on July 17. Gather stats through July 23:
- Target: Horses
- Type: Planned
- Method: Helicopter
- Category: Cruel and costly
- Captured: 285, up from 248 on Day 5
- Average daily take: 40.7
- Capture goal: 1,900
- Removal goal: 1,800
- Returned: None, no change from Day 5
- Deaths: 6, up from 4 on Day 5
- Shipped: 246, up from 159 on Day 5
Helicopters did not fly on Day 7.
Two foals were put down on Day 6 due to pre-existing conditions, lifting the death rate to 2.1%.
The total includes 92 stallions, 138 mares and 55 foals.
Youngsters represented 19.3% of the animals captured. Of the adults, 40.0% were male and 60.0% were female.
The herd can’t be growing at a rate of 20% per year with a birth rate of 19% per year.
Abnormal sex ratios are often found in herds subject to the Montana Solution but not double-digit birth rates.
Body condition scores were not given.
The location of the trap site was not disclosed.
The Complex and surrounding lands are subject to permitted grazing.
Day 7 ended with 33 unaccounted-for animals.
Mares treated with fertility control may be returned to the area at a later date.
Other statistics:
- Horses allowed by plan (AML): 821
- Forage assigned to horses: 9,852 AUMs per year
- Pre-gather population: 3,475
- Forage liberated to date: 3,420 AUMs per year
- Water liberated to date: 2,850 gallons per day
- Forage assigned to livestock: 49,188 AUMs per year (estimated)
- Horses displaced from Complex by permitted grazing: 4,099
- True AML: 4,911
- Stocking rate at new AML: 3.0 horses per thousand acres
- Horses displaced from Complex by drilling and mining: Ask the advocates
RELATED: Triple B Roundup, Day 5.
Western Horse Watchers Association 