On or around December 10, 2021, the Black Rock Field Office (BRFO) will begin a wild horse roundup in and around the Fox and Lake Range Herd Management Area (HMA) located in central Washoe County, approximately 60 miles north of Reno, Nevada. The Fox-Lake range consists of 172,692 acres of BLM land and 5,032 acres of a mix of private and other public lands for a total of 177,724 acres.
The BRFO is spending tax dollars to remove approximately 88 wild horses, remove approximately 20 "excess" wild horses, and treat and release approximately 40 mares from the area. The released mares will be treated with the untested/unproven Gona-Con Equine fertility control.
The contractors for the operation are Cattoor Livestock.
ROUNDUP REPORT
ROUNDUP CONCLUDED: 81 wild horses captured, 4 deaths.
December 16, 2021: No wild horses were captured today, but there were (2) deaths:
- 20+-year-old stallion was euthanized by BLM due to a "pre-existing chronic injury" noted as lameness.
- 18-year-old bay roan mare was euthanized by BLM for having colic.
December 15, 2021: 27 wild horses were captured and there were no deaths or injuries reported.
December 14, 2021: 19 wild horses were captured and there was one death after the BLM euthanized a 3-year old mare for a "pre-existing" fracture.
December 13, 2021: No wild horses were captured today, but we did see cows and a burro when we were leaving the area.
December 12, 2021: No wild horses were captured today.
We were at the same observation as yesterday. We did not see any horses today. We waited about 4 hours before they called it a day.
We are not allowed at Temp holding as they have it on Private land.
December 11, 2021: Approximately 36 mustangs lost their freedom today and there was 1 death after a 25-year-old bay stallion was euthanized after breaking his leg while attempting to escape the trap.
Today there were three members of the public on-site for the operation, where we were placed approximately 1/4 miles away from the trap. Temperatures were in the 40's for most of the day.
The first group of horses seemingly came in with no problem. After the second run, 8 made an escape with two horses going through a flagged barbed wire fence. Several stallions attempted to escape over the trap panels.
After several attempts, 3 were eventually trapped, and another was roped.
Another horse was chased by helicopter and horseback until crossing the road before the pilots gave up.
