If Louse Canyon Was a Wild Horse Complex

As noted yesterday, if the allotments were a Complex (consisting of two or more HMAs), the AML would be 534 and 2,551 horses would be consigned to off-range holding because of permitted grazing.

The horses allowed by plan would receive 534 ÷ 3,085 × 100% = 17.3% of the authorized forage, with the balance going to livestock. A small amount would be reserved for wildlife, not considered in the analysis.

This is typical in areas managed for wild horses.

The low end of the AML would be 267.

Horse #268 would be excess, the beginning of overpopulation, even though the land can support him and many others.

Some advocates defend this philosophy with their HMAPs, guaranteeing that more and more wild horses will be crammed into government feedlots.

Others say the problem can be avoided by snuffing out new life with pesticide-laced darts.

Even the casual observer realizes they’re not playing for the home team.

We Want the Ranchers to Win 04-04-24

San Bernadino County Removing Reche Canyon Burros

The method of capture was not identified in this report by KTLA News but as of today 68 animals have been taken into custody.

The next step may be a trip to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in Texas.

The reporter said they’re federally protected but if that was true management actions would be preceded by a NEPA review and carried out by the BLM or Forest Service.

Murderer’s Creek Roundup, Day 17

The incident started on November 29. Results through December 15:

Scope: Murderer’s Creek HMA, WHT
Target: Wild horses
AML: 140
Pre-gather population: 650
True AML: TBD
Type: Emergency
Method: Bait
Capture goal: 350 – 400
Removal goal: 350 – 400
Captured: 144, up from 116 on Day 13
Shipped: 129, up from 102 on Day 13
Released: None
Deaths: 4, up from 2 on Day 13
Average daily take: 8.5
Unaccounted-for animals: 11
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

Results for Days 15, 16 and 17 were posted today. No report was given for Day 14.

A stallion was put down on Day 15 for poor body condition, followed by a mare on Day 16 for a fractured leg, lifting the death rate to 2.8%.

The capture total includes 55 stallions, 60 mares and 29 foals.

Youngsters represented 20.1% of the animals gathered, consistent with a herd growth rate of 15% per year. The Rule of 72 says the herd size will double in 4.8 years.

Of the adults, 47.8% were male and 52.2% were female, no indication of an abnormal sex ratio.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

The name of the contractor was not provided.

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

No decisions have made regarding the long-term disposition of horses, which means they could be treated or altered in off range holding, including the stallions.

The status of livestock grazing in the burned area is not known.

If Wild Horses Had Principal Use of Louse Canyon

The project area covers five allotments in southeastern Oregon and two in northern Nevada, as discussed previously.

The forage assigned to wild horses is zero.

How many wild horses could live there?

The Allotment Master Report provides management status, acreage and active AUMs.

Louse Canyon Allotmment Calcs 12-16-24

The allotments support livestock equivalent to 3,085 wild horses on 534,407 public acres.

Approximately 97% of the land is in the Maintain category.

The stocking rate at the True AML would be 5.8 wild horses per thousand public acres.

Why is this important?

The bureaucrats and ranchers claim that public lands in the western U.S. can only support one wild horse per thousand acres (27,000 animals on 27 million acres).

The advocates bolster the narrative with their darting programs.

If the allotments were a Complex, the AML would be 534 and 2,551 horses would be consigned to off-range holding because of permitted grazing.

BLM allotments in Oregon carry livestock equivalent to 87,934 wild horses on 13,130,302 public acres, or 6.7 wild horses per thousand public acres.

Wild horses can be placed on public lands not identified for their use by acquiring base properties associated with grazing allotments and flipping the preference to horses, as American Prairie did for bison in Montana.

Mustang Monday

On the Salt River with markstorto.

The advocates rely on predators to take out any foals that slip through their darting programs.

Value of Endorsements from Elko County?

In ranching circles, you can’t beat them.

But if you’re trying to pass yourself off as a voice for wild horses, they’re the kiss of death.

That’s the situation at Wild Horse Fire Brigade.

Elko County Commissioners like the guy, which means he shouldn’t be allowed near wild horses.

There are other nonprofits, most of them obsessed with pesticides and doing their best to get rid of wild horses, that deserve endorsements.

The downside is that they might spook your donors, who you’ve been fleecing for years.

That’s a risk you don’t want to take.

Some things are better left unsaid.

Pesticide Patrol 08-16-23

Louse Canyon EIS Tries to Restore Rangeland Health

Another case of wild horse overpopulation?

Nope. This one involves our stewards of the public lands.

A 2018 assessment found five allotments in southeastern Oregon and two in northern Nevada that did not meet standards for rangeland health, according to Sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the Final Scoping Report.

The map on page M-3 of Appendix M shows the arrangement.

The November 27 news release said the EIS considers a range of actions to meet those standards.

Curiously, Alternative D reflects proposals submitted by the permittees—the persons responsible for current conditions.

The Scoping Report said there were no HMAs in the project area.

The EIS was copied to the project folder with other supporting documents.

Comments will be accepted through January 13.

The base property associated with the Campbell Allotment, one of the five in Oregon, was listed for sale earlier this year.

CAAWH Going Dark on Virginia Range Sterilization Program?

A few weeks ago the update for October appeared on the list of monthly reports but now it’s gone.

As of today, there is no report for November.

The 10,000-dose milestone predicted for October was likely reached in November.

Curiously, the Campaign Against America’s Wild Horses, a leader in nonmotorized removal and fierce opponent of principal use, has not been endorsed by Elko County.

FY25 Roundup Schedule Posted with New Date

Same URL. Same bottom-line totals.

But it’s dated December 12 instead of October 31.

RELATED: BLM Updates Roundup Schedule.

Foal-Free Friday, Hypocrisy and Lies Edition

Nobody inflicts more pain and suffering than those who say wild horses have a right to live free of pain and suffering.

Pain and Suffering 12-11-24

Imagine being hit with a pesticide-laced dart at 40 yards.

A powder charge ignites upon impact, driving the payload into the animal.

The injury may last for weeks.

VR Darting Injury 09-15-21

The advocates say it’s harmless. They peddle the practice as humane management but it’s nothing of the sort.

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

Pneu-Dart Impact 01-03-22

Good Grief, Another Story About WHB Nominee

The narrative started earlier this month with a story by KFYR News.

Now, KOLO News has jumped on the bandwagon.

You should support William Simpson of the Wild Horse Fire Brigade because he’s been nominated as the director of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, even though the job title is Division Chief and the role is filled through postings on USA Jobs.

The guy’s a shill for the public-lands ranchers. He wants to move wild horses from their lawful homes to remote wilderness areas not suited for livestock grazing.

No wonder he has the support of Elko County.

Murderer’s Creek Roundup, Day 13

The incident started on November 29. Results through December 11:

Scope: Murderer’s Creek HMA, WHT
Target: Wild horses
AML: 140
Pre-gather population: 650
True AML: TBD
Type: Emergency
Method: Bait
Capture goal: 350 – 400
Removal goal: 350 – 400
Captured: 116, up from 105 on Day 11
Shipped: 102, up from 83 on Day 11
Released: None
Deaths: 2, no change from Day 11
Average daily take: 8.9
Unaccounted-for animals: 12
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 horses were caught on Day 12.

The death rate is 1.7%.

The capture total includes 46 stallions, 48 mares and 22 foals.

Youngsters represented 19.0% of the animals gathered, consistent with a herd growth rate of 14% per year.

Of the adults, 48.9% were male and 51.1% were female, no indication of an abnormal sex ratio.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

The name of the contractor was not provided.

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

No decisions have made regarding the long-term disposition of horses, which means they could be treated or altered in off range holding, including the stallions.

The status of livestock grazing in the burned area is not known.

NDA Posts Video of December 6 Board of Agriculture Meeting

A summary of written comments is given at 5:45.

In-person comments regarding the Washoe Lake fencing project begin at 7:31.

Online comments start at 54:01.

Murderer’s Creek Roundup, Day 11

The incident started on November 29. Results through December 9:

Scope: Murderer’s Creek HMA, WHT
Target: Wild horses
AML: 140
Pre-gather population: 650
True AML: TBD
Type: Emergency
Method: Bait
Capture goal: 350 – 400
Removal goal: 350 – 400
Captured: 105, up from 99 on Day 9
Shipped: 83, up from 56 on Day 9
Released: None
Deaths: 2, no change from Day 9
Average daily take: 9.5
Unaccounted-for animals: 20
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 Day 8 results were changed from 3 stallions, 6 mares and 1 foal to 4/5/1.

The death rate is 1.9%.

The capture total includes 40 stallions, 45 mares and 20 foals.

Youngsters represented 19.0% of the animals gathered, consistent with a herd growth rate of 14% per year.

Of the adults, 47.1% were male and 52.9% were female, no indication of an abnormal sex ratio.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

The name of the contractor was not provided.

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

No decisions have made regarding the long-term disposition of horses, which means they could be treated or altered in off range holding, including the stallions.

The status of livestock grazing in the burned area is not known.

Scoping Begins for Lahontan Wild Horse Roundup

The scoping letter has been copied to the project folder and comments will be accepted through January 10.

RELATED: Lahontan Roundup in the Works?

UPDATE: Today’s news release puts the current population at 518 and the project area at 304,705 acres, well beyond the HMA boundary.

BLM Seeks More ORPs?

Facilities must be in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming according to today’s news release, with a capacity of 200 to 10,000 wild horses for five to ten years.

A pre-solicitation notice says the agency is not seeking proposals at this time.

New Study Ignores Harmful Effects of PZP

The researchers examined the effects of PZP on the body condition of adult females, the timing of the breeding season and the survival of their offspring, finding that

The body condition of mares without foals improved faster than mares with foals
The foaling seasons of the treated herds were later in the year and more spread out
Deaths of foals born to treated mares through their second year of life were very rare and no more frequent than those of foals born to untreated mares

The research was carried out at Cedar Mountain and Sand Wash Basin.

Although the timing of breeding changed, the writers found no evidence that the changes were harmful to the treated mares or their foals.

Not addressed in the report:

Risk of sterility
Loss of genetic diversity
Skewing of sex ratios
Selection for weak immune systems

The authors claimed no conflicts of interest but one of them is with the Science and Conservation Center, manufacturer of the pesticide and home of the Billings School of PZP Darting and Public Deception.

Funding was provided in part by the Humane Society of the United States, holder of the EPA registration.

Washoe Lake Fence to Wipe Out Virginia Range Horses?

That was one of the concerns expressed by residents at the December 6 meeting with the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

But NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea told KTVN News in this report that the fence will steer the horses deeper into the range where there are plenty of resources and they will do better for themselves.

If that’s true, why did he hire the Campaign Against America’s Wild Horses to get rid of them with pesticide-laced darts?

Murderer’s Creek Roundup, Day 9

The incident started on November 29. Results through December 7:

Scope: Murderer’s Creek HMA, WHT
Target: Wild horses
AML: 140
Pre-gather population: 650
True AML: TBD
Type: Emergency
Method: Bait
Capture goal: 350 – 400
Removal goal: 350 – 400
Captured: 99, up from 89 on Day 7
Shipped: 56, no change from Day 7
Released: None
Deaths: 2, no change from Day 7
Average daily take: 11.0
Unaccounted-for animals: 41
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 horses were caught on Day 9.

The death rate is 2.0%.

The capture total includes 34 stallions, 45 mares and 20 foals.

Youngsters represented 20.2% of the animals gathered, consistent with a herd growth rate of 15% per year.

Of the adults, 43.0% were male and 57.0% were female, no indication of an abnormal sex ratio.

Body condition scores were not given.

The location of the trap site was not disclosed.

The name of the contractor was not provided.

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

No decisions have made regarding the long-term disposition of horses, which means they could be treated or altered in off range holding, including the stallions.

The status of livestock grazing in the burned area is not known.

Who Has Grazing Preference on the Buckeye Allotment?

The Allotment Master Report indicates BORDA LAND AND SHEEP, with 481 active AUMs, and BENTLY FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP with 1,471.

However, a 2022 project in ePlanning transferred Bently’s preference from one base property to another.

The CX said the grazing preference moved from SE1/4, NW1/4, S13, T13N, R20E, a parcel of approximately 40 acres, to SW1/4, SW1/4, S27, T13N, R22E, another parcel of approximately 40 acres, with no change in grazing authorization. (To understand these callouts, watch this video.)

Normally this would not be a problem if both parcels had the same owner.

Douglas County does not recognize the destination as a standalone parcel.

It’s part of APN 1322-00-002-067, a 944-acre tract in the CAAWH land trust.

The transfer occurred before Bently sold the land to CAAWH.

If the intent was to shift the preference from Bently to CAAWH, and a 2023 article by The Record-Courier suggests it was, it’s not reflected in the BLM documentation.

The Authorization Use Report shows the AUMs are still assigned to livestock.