Bait trapping will begin the week of December 4, according to today’s news release.
The capture and removal goals, not specified in the announcement, are 235 and 225 according to the FY24 schedule.
The current population is thought to be around 230, suggesting that few horses will remain when the field work ends.
Operations will not be open to public observation.
The HMA covers approximately 19,600 acres in central New Mexico, east of Socorro.
The AML is 40 – 60.
The National Data Viewer shows the arrangement. Click on image to open in new tab.
The stocking rate allowed by plan is 3.1 wild horses per thousand acres, three times higher than the target rate across all HMAs.
If the herd is managed according to plan (no more than 60 horses), genetic diversity will be inadequate.
The fertility control pesticides will make the breeding population even smaller.
The destination of captured animals was not given.
Gather stats and daily reports will be posted to this page.
RELATED: Bordo Atravesado Decision Signed But Not Announced.
Western Horse Watchers Association 