The designation of ‘Range’ means the area is managed primarily for wild burros in accordance with the WHB Act. It is the only WBR in the western U.S.

There are three ‘Ranges’ for wild horses in the western U.S. Many of the remaining areas—which were set aside for wild horses and burros—are managed primarily for domestic livestock, a twisting of the law by the BLM to pacify the public-lands ranchers.

Mustang Monday

On the Salt River with Mrs Green Thumb.

BLM Returning Horses to Hardtrigger HMA

Forty five wild horses will be released later this month in three separate areas, according to a news release posted today. One of the releases will be open to public observation.

The Hardtrigger HMA was damaged by the Soda Fire of 2015, which also affected the nearby Sands Basin HMA.

Sands_Basin_HMA_Map-1

The announcement did not say if the mares will be treated with contraceptives or if the land is subject to permitted livestock grazing.

UPDATE: Added video by KTVB News of Boise, ID. Pay attention to the remarks from 0:15 to 0:17.

Photographer Insists Man Was Shooting at Heber Wild Horses

She has photos and videos of the incident but the Forest Service is not interested in them, according to a report posted yesterday by ABC15 News in Phoenix.

Sterilization Research to Resume

A news release by the Animal Welfare Institute yesterday said the BLM is rebooting its plans to sterilize wild horses, at the behest of a group funded by Lucas Oil Products.

Hacks at the off-range corrals in Hines, OR will cut the ovaries out of mares gathered from the Warm Springs HMA last year. Complications and fatalities related to the procedures will likely be high but are of no concern to these people.

Some of the survivors will be returned to the range to form non-reproducing herds, a dream-come-true for the public-lands ranchers. Others may end up in the demonic Wild Spayed Filly Futurity.

Critics say wild horse populations should be controlled by contraceptives, which can lead to sterilization. In both cases the result is the same—fewer horses on the range.

There is no meaningful opposition here, only a debate on methods and timing.

The ranchers want the horses gone quickly, the wild horse ‘advocates’ want them to decline slowly.

Mustang Monday

On the Virginia Range and Pine Nut Mountains HMA with Jeff Parr.

Rush Hour On the Salt River

First-hand account by Josh Saverse.

Photographer Disputes Report on Heber Shooting Incident

The case has been closed by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office but a witness to the event says the report does not match her experience. Refer to this story, posted yesterday by AZ Family, the CBS affiliate in Phoenix. Includes video.

UPDATE: Added video.

Free-Roaming Horses of Lincoln National Forest

Near the town of Cloudcroft, NM with Rocky Mountain Hobo. Not a WHT.

Park Service Denies Media Access to Mesa Verde Roundup

The Park Superintendent said news coverage would not be allowed, consistent with the wishes of personnel doing the work, according to a report dated 04/30/19 by the Pine River Times of Durango, CO.

Public observation is often refused when bait-traps are used to gather the horses, but critics say access to government activities such as wild horse roundups is protected under the First Amendment.

Photographer Claims Man Was Shooting at Heber Wild Horses

A woman says she saw a man shooting directly at the horses on 05/02/19, according to a report posted today by the White Mountain Independent of Show Low, AZ. The incident was reported to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and a deputy arrived on scene. The man said he was only shooting at a tree stump and was allowed to leave.

Mustang Monday

On Sand Wash Basin HMA with Steve Hostetler.

Mustang Monday

On the Onaqui Mountain HMA with Greg Norrell.

See Them While You Can

JT Humphrey watches a mom and foal on the Pine Nut Mountains Herd Area.

The public-lands ranchers and their allies in government want them gone.

Another Wild Horse Found Shot at Heber WHT

The deceased animal brings the total to 19 since October, 2018, with eleven of the horses showing signs of gun shots. Three shell casings were collected at the scene, according to a report posted today by the White Mountain Independent of Show Low, AZ.

The news release featured in the story does not appear on the Heber WHT home page as of this evening.

Searching for the Salt River Horses by Air

Filmed 04/19/19 by Chris Tingom. He says the best places to see them are

Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area, Fort McDowell, AZ
Coon Bluff Campground, Coon Bluff Rd, Mesa, AZ
Butcher Jones Recreation Site, Fort McDowell, AZ

All are east of Phoenix, near the Tonto National Forest.

Mustang Monday

On Sand Wash Basin HMA with Mike Mack.

Forest Service Says ‘Hands Off’ at Heber WHT

The Forest Service asks anyone who discovers a dead horse at the Heber WHT to report it to the Black Mesa Ranger District, according to a report posted today by the Eastern Arizona Courier, but do not disturb the scene in any way. A news release dated 04/16/19 said evidence collected by the public may be unusable in the investigation.