Wild horses in the Caliente Complex gather around a water source.

2024 Caliente Complex Bait and Water Trap Wild Horse Gather

The Caliente Complex Bait and Water Trap Wild Horse Gather concluded Saturday, June 29, 2024.

Purpose of Gather:

The purpose of the gather is to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals would also enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.

Details of Gather:

The BLM will conduct gather operations using temporary bait and water traps consisting of a series of corral panels stocked with hay and water; no helicopters will be used. The BLM plans to gather and remove up to 350 excess wild horses. Once gather operations are completed, approximately 672 wild horses will remain in the Complex. The gather is expected to last approximately 183 days.

Public Observation:

Due to the nature of the bait and water trap method, wild horses are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity; therefore, only essential gather operations personnel will be allowed at the trap site during gather operations.

Adoption Information:

Horses identified for removal will be transported to the Axtell off-range corrals, in Axtell, Utah; Delta Wild Horse and Burro Facility, in Delta, Utah; and Sutherland off-range corrals, in Sutherland, Utah. Upon arrival to the facility, all animals will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sales Program. Those that are not placed into a new home will be cared for in off-range pastures, where they live off the rest of their lives on grass pastures. For information on how to adopt a wild horse, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

Background:

The Caliente Complex is located within the Ely District and managed by the Caliente Field Office. The Complex is within a forty-mile radius of the town of Caliente, in Lincoln County, Nev., and encompasses approximately 911,892 acres of BLM-managed and private and other lands from Panaca, Nev., south to the Mormon Mountains at the Clark County line and from Delamar Valley east to the Utah state line. The Complex consists of nine HAs.

The area is within the Great Basin physiographic region characterized by a high, rolling plateau underlain by basalt flows covered with a thin loess and alluvial mantle. On many of the low hills and ridges that are scattered throughout the area, the soils are underlain by bedrock. Elevations within the Caliente Complex range from approximately 4,000 to 9,500 feet. Annual precipitation ranges from approximately 7 inches on some of the valley bottoms to 20 inches on the mountain peaks. Most of this precipitation comes during the winter and spring months in the form of snow, supplemented by localized thunderstorms during the summer months. Temperatures range from greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The area is also utilized by numerous wildlife species and domestic livestock under terms and conditions outlined in grazing permits.

The BLM manages the Complex for zero wild horses due to insufficient forage and water to sustain healthy and viable herds long-term. An estimated 1,022 wild horses currently reside within the Complex.

The BLM is conducting the gather under the DOI-BLM-NV-L030-2017-0031-EA Caliente Herd Area Complex Wild Horse Final Environmental Assessment signed on April 27, 2018. Access the Decision Record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/93276/510.

For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program, call 1-866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov

Daily Gather Reports

Saturday, June 29

Summary: Sunny with a low of 61 and high of 93

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 9 (2 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Wednesday, June 26

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 66 and high of 93

Animals Gathered: 9 (2 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, June 25

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 70 and high of 97

Animals Gathered: 8 (3 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 34 (16 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

3-month-old, Sorrel foal humanely euthanized due to fractured leg.

 

Sunday, June 23

Summary: Sunny with a low of 69 and high of 96

Animals Gathered: 14 (4 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Thursday, June 20

Summary: Sunny with a low of 51 and high of 89

Animals Gathered: 7 (3 Stallions, 2 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 32 (15 Stallions, 11 Mares, and 6 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Wednesday, June 19

Summary: Sunny with a low of 48 and high of 84

Animals Gathered: 24 (9 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 6 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, June 18

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 50 and high of 87

Animals Gathered: 9 (9 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Monday, June 17

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 56 and high of 89

Animals Gathered: 4 (3 Stallions, 1 Mare, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

1-year-old, Bay mare humanely euthanized due to fractured leg.

 

Saturday, June 15

Summary: Sunny with a low of 63 and high of 94

Animals Gathered: 2 (2 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Thursday, June 13

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 60 and high of 91

Animals Gathered: 1 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 25 (11 Stallions, 10 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Wednesday, June 12

Summary: Sunny with a low of 60 and high of 84

Animals Gathered: 2 (2 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Sunday, June 9

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 62 and high of 88

Animals Gathered: 13 (4 Stallions, 7 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Saturday, June 8

Summary: Clear with a low of 62 and high of 93

Animals Gathered: 7 (3 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 1 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, June 4

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 57 and high of 90

Animals Gathered: 10 (4 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 3 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 23 (14 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Sunday, June 2

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 55 and high of 86

Animals Gathered: 5 (2 Stallions, 2 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Saturday, June 1

Summary: Clear with a low of 54 and high of 86

Animals Gathered: 11 (9 Stallions, 1 Mare, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Wednesday, May 29

Summary: Clear with a low of 52 and high of 85

Animals Gathered: 4 (1 Stallion, 2 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 40 (11 Stallions, 21 Mares, and 8 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, May 28

Summary: Clear with a low of 51 and high of 85

Animals Gathered: 15 (4 Stallions, 7 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Monday, May 27

Summary: Clear with a low of 48 and high of 84

Animals Gathered: 6 (2 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 1

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

15-year-old, Black stallion humanely euthanized due to fractured leg.

 

Friday, May 24

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 46 and high of 76

Animals Gathered: 7 (3 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

12-year-old, Bay stallion humanely euthanized due to blindness.

 

Thursday, May 23

Summary: Clear skies with a low of 50 and high of 73

Animals Gathered: 10 (3 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 20 (9 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 6 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Wednesday, May 22

Summary: Clear skies with a low of 39 and high of 77

Animals Gathered: 12 (7 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, May 21

Summary: Clear skies with a low of 46 and high of 70

Animals Gathered: 17 (10 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 16 (9 Stallions, 7 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 1

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

8-year-old, Roan mare humanely euthanized due to fractured neck.

 

Monday, May 20

Summary: Clear skies with a low of 51 and high of 75

Animals Gathered: 10 (3 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 35 (18 Stallions, 12 Mares, and 5 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Sunday, May 19

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 53 and high of 81

Animals Gathered: 10 (4 Stallion, 5 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 1

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

5-year-old, Black mare humanely euthanized due to fractured leg.

 

Saturday, May 18

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 57 and high of 82

Animals Gathered: 6 (1 Stallion, 3 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Friday, May 17

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 50 and high of 86

Animals Gathered: 10 (3 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Thursday, May 16

Summary: Sunny with a low of 47 and high of 82

Animals Gathered: 14 (8 Stallions, 5 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 23 (4 Stallions, 13 Mares, and 6 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 2

11-year-old,Brown stud humanely euthanized due to fractured leg.

6-year-old, Sorrel mare humanely euthanized due to blindness.

 

Wednesday, May 15

Summary: Sunny with a low of 49 and high of 81

Animals Gathered: 5 (0 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, May 14

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 50 and high of 80

Animals Gathered: 6 (3 Stallions, 2 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Monday, May 13

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 49 and high of 82

Animals Gathered: 5 (0 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Friday, May 3

Summary: Mostly cloudy with a low of 41 and high of 77

Animals Gathered: 1 (1 Stallion, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 1 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Thursday, May 2

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 40 and high of 74

Animals Gathered: 3 (1 Stallion, 1 Mare, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Sunday, April 28

Summary: Partly cloudy with a low of 39 and high of 67

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 16 (7 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Friday, April 26

Summary: Rain with a low of 42 and high of 52

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 14 (8 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Thursday, April 25

Summary: Partly sunny with a low of 42 and high of 65

Animals Gathered: 12 (8 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Wednesday, April 24

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 46 and high of 73

Animals Gathered: 8 (3 Stallions, 3 Mares, and 2 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, April 23

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 47 and high of 77

Animals Gathered: 4 (1 Stallion, 3 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Monday, April 22

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 48 and high of 79

Animals Gathered: 5 (3 Stallions, 1 Mare, and 1 Foal)

Animals Shipped: 20 (10 Stallions, 6 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 1

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

12-year-old, Bay stud humanely euthanized due to blindness (missing right eye).

 

Sunday, April 21

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 45 and high of 81

Animals Gathered: 13 (6 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 3 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Saturday, April 20

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 44 and high of 72

Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 26 (14 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Friday, April 19

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 44 and high of 72

Animals Gathered: 9 (4 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 1 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Thursday, April 18

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 44 and high of 72

Animals Gathered: 22 (11 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 3 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 2

- Sudden / Acute: 1

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 1

8-year-old, Palomino mare unexpectedly died, fractured neck.

3-year-old, White mare humanely euthanized due to blindness in left eye.

 

Wednesday, April 17

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 42 and high of 77

Animals Gathered: 13 (5 Stallions, 8 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 36 (10 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0

 

Tuesday, April 16

Summary: Mostly sunny with a low of 43 and high of 72

Animals Gathered: 29 (8 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 4 Foals)

Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)

Deaths: 0

- Sudden / Acute: 0

- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0