Pine Nuts wild horse gather scheduled Thursday

The Bureau of Land Management has stated because of weather conditions, the Pine Nut Mountains Wild Horse Gather, scheduled to begin Wednesday, has been postponed and is tentatively scheduled to start on Thursday.

The operation is to prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with over-grazing by an overpopulation of wild horses, according to a media release. As of March 1, 2018, the BLM estimated approximately 775 wild horses roamed the Pine Nut Mountains herd management area, which is more than four times the number the area can support.

The BLM Carson City District’s Sierra Front Field Office plans to gather approximately 575 wild horses from within and outside the Pine Nut Mountains Herd Management Area. The animals will be transported to the Palomino Valley Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Reno, the release said.

Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Ross said the proposed gather doesn’t affect the Fish Springs Herd.

Members of the public will have an opportunity to view gather operations, provided it doesn’t jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff, or observers, and doesn’t disrupt gather operations.

The BLM will offer observation opportunities at the gather site; however, public observation may be limited when operations take place on private land. Limited first-come, first serve observation will be held daily at temporary holding when observation isn’t available at the gather site. Members of the public must email blm_nv_ccdowebmail@blm.gov to request to observe gather operations at least 24 hours prior to the date they would like to attend.

Please put “Pine Nut Wild Horse Request” in the subject line. A confirmation will be sent to individuals with instructions on when and where to meet. The BLM anticipates viewing opportunities will be limited due to logistics in regards to private land, terrain and weather.

Animals gathered will be made available for adoption at Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center in Reno through the Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. Those that aren’t adopted will be cared for in off-range pastures, where they retain their “wild” status and protection under 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.