BLM to begin North Lander Complex Wild Horse Gather in Wyoming

LANDER, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management will begin a wild horse gather on or after July 1, 2024, in the North Lander Wild Horse Complex, located in Fremont County. The gather is being conducted to prevent further deterioration of land health due to wild horse overpopulation in the Complex. The Complex is made up of the Conant Creek, Dishpan Butte, Muskrat Basin, and Rock Creek Mountain herd management areas in central Wyoming. 

Based on August 2023 aerial surveys using infrared technology and methodology, the Complex’s wild horse population is approximately 3,035 wild horses, well above the scientifically determined appropriate management level (AML) of 320-536 wild horses. In accordance with the agency’s management plan, the Bureau plans to gather and remove approximately 2,715 wild horses to achieve AML. The management plan was informed by substantial public input received during the 2022 scoping and environmental assessment comment periods. 

Chronic wild horse overpopulation in fragile ecosystems endangers overall land health, with the possibility of permanent, irrecoverable damage to important resources and impacts to other wildlife populations. The area is almost entirely composed of Greater Sage-grouse priority habitat and much of the area is categorized as winter/yearlong or crucial mule deer and pronghorn range. The gather is also necessary to remove animals from private lands and areas not designated for their long-term use. 

Initially, most horses gathered will be removed to reduce populations to within the appropriate management level. All removed horses will be transported to the Wheatland Off-Range Corral. Upon arrival at the facility, they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse Adoption and Sales programs. Subsequent gathers over ten years will focus on removing younger animals more likely to be adopted to permanent homes, while administering population control measures for older animals before returning them to the range. 

BLM staff and contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program. 

Once the gather is underway, the BLM will post daily gather reports and additional information on its North Lander Complex webpage - https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/gathers-and-removals/wyoming/2024-north-lander. 

Opportunities are available for the public to observe the gather operations, provided that doing so does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. Participants must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Those interested in observing the gather must notify Sarah Beckwith at sbeckwith@blm.gov.

For technical information, please contact BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Clay Stott at (307) 332-8400. 

To learn more about the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program and adopting a Wyoming wild horse, please visit blm.gov/whb or contact the national information center at 866-486-7826 or wildhorse@blm.gov.