McCullough Peaks Bait Trapping is Over, but it Never Should Have Happened
March 13, 2024
Ep #29: Wild Horse Adoption
March 25, 2024
By Carol J. Walker
The White Mountain Herd in Wyoming, which is one of the four “Checkerboard Herds” is on the Bureau of Land Management’s 2024 Roundup schedule and a Determination of NEPA Adequacy was issued on February 21, 2024 giving the public 30 days to submit comments.
You can review the documents and submit comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570
The White Mountain Herd was last rounded up in January, 2022 with the goal of bringing the herd down to low AML, 205 wild horses. The last time that the BLM did a census of the herd was in 2022 after the roundup, and they state that there were 549 wild horses in the Herd Management Area. Given that the herd had just undergone a roundup and removal I find it very hard to believe that there were that many horses remaining. This is one of the herds that has a checkerboard of public and private land in a significant portion of the Herd Management Area, and the Rock Springs Grazing Association has the majority of the livestock grazing leases on the public lands portion. They have made no secret of their desire to be rid of all the horses in this HMA, but during the process of developing a new Resource Management Plan, the public showed that they did not want the entire herd zeroed out as the Wild Horse Loop is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
There has been no census done of the horses since the winter of 2022/2023 which was the harshest since 1973. 90% of the state’s pronghorn died. 60-80% of the mule deer died. Ranchers collected subsidies from the state for deaths of livestock. And yes wild horses died as well. But the BLM says in their draft document “wild horses in the White Mountain HMA appeared to weather the winter without abnormal death loss.” Somehow, magically, the wild horses were not affected. I can tell you that is absolutely not true. Wild horses died – and BLM was not out there documenting this loss. They did not bother to do a census because they want to move forward with this roundup without doing the proper analysis and gathering comments from the public as they are required to do with a new Environmental Assessment but are instead contending that since nothing has changed, they will just use the Environmental Assessment from 2020 and bull on ahead.
I have been observing and documenting the White Mountain Herd for over 10 years. I was out there in the HMA in May 2023 and I observed all the horses were still thin, still shedding their winter coats. There were no foals, despite March, April and May are well into the height of foaling season. The images in this post are from mid May, 2023. Mares will absorb or abort their foals in order to survive. I did not observe bodies but I heard from people who had. This winter had a devastating affect on the herd, and the projection of a 20% growth rate in 2023 and 2024 resulting in a population of 791 in 2024 is absolutely absurd. There are not 586 “excess” wild horses to be removed. I have an important question. Was the count done in 2022 including foals in the final number? BLM is not supposed to include foals in the numbers when reporting population counts or in roundup removal numbers. This was a lawsuit the BLM lost in 2017.
The BLM cannot simply assert that the Herd is over AML without any documented proof, and then do a roundup. They must also prove that there is range degradation by the wild horses and because of that the removal is necessary. This is in the BLM’s own handbook here:
7.1.2 Gather/Removal Decisions
“Prior to removing WH&B from public lands, the authorized officer must make a determination,
based on current information, that excess animals are present and their removal is necessary to
restore a TNEB and multiple-use relationship. BLM’s authority to remove excess animals from
public lands is found in 16 USC § 1333(b)(2) of the WFRHBA (as amended). This provision
requires the BLM to immediately remove the animals upon determination that excess WH&B
exist, so as to achieve appropriate management levels, restore a thriving natural ecological
balance, and protect the range from the deterioration associated with the overpopulation.
In making the determination that excess WH&B are present and require immediate removal, the
authorized officer will analyze current information including grazing utilization and distribution,
trend in range ecological condition, actual use, climate (weather) data, current population
inventory, WH&B located outside the HMA in areas not designated for their long-term
maintenance and other factors which demonstrate removal is needed to restore or maintain the
range. Justifying a removal based on nothing more than the established AML is not acceptable.”
I see no current range analysis with impacts of livestock or wild horses in the DNA documents provided, so this also needs to be provided before the BLM can consider going forward with a roundup.
The Proposed Action that the BLM is seeking this time they say is “similar” to the proposed action in the 2020 EA – except there would be no fertility control given. They want to remove wild horses down to low AML of 205.
The Bureau of Land Management cannot be allowed to get away with using an old, outdated 4 year old Environmental Assessment because they cannot be bothered to comply with NEPA before conducting a roundup. This would set a dangerous precedent for all wild horse HMAs. You can read Wild Horse Education’s excellent post about this here:
Talking Points for Comments:
- Demand a new census of the White Mountain wild horses, preferably using the more accurate infrared method prior to any action being finalized. Foals should not be included in the count.
- Demand a new Environmental Assessment be developed and submitted for comments by the public which includes new census information plus new range analysis information on the impacts of both wild horses and livestock.
- There was significant mortality of wild horses in the Herd Management Area over the winter of 2022/2023 so conditions have changed significantly since the EA in 2020, so the BLM cannot proceed with this DNA.
- Question why the BLM will not consider the use of reversible birth control such as PZP for future control of the population in this herd.
- With over 62,000 wild horses in holding facilities that are mostly full, what will happen to the wild horses of White Mountain? They are much safer in their home on the range and not putting more of a burden on taxpaying US citizens to house and feed them for their lifetime.
Please submit your comments, in your own words, by 4:30 PM Mountain Time on March 22 here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
This site works best on a computer. Sometimes it glitches if you try to submit from your phone or tablet. If that does happen, please contact the Rock Springs BLM office: 307-352-0256.
You can also submit comments by mail here: BLM Rock Springs Field Office, White Mountain Wild Horse Gather, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, WY 82901
Why am I asking you to submit comments in your own words if you can just sign onto a form letter? It is because the form letters are counted as 1 comment by the BLM, no matter if there are 10 or 5000. It takes very little time to insert your comments into the eplanning site.
Thank you very much for your support of the White Mountain wild horses.
33 Comments
Thanks Carol. Of course I will do this. I am also going to do the Zoom meeting to make sure I hit on all these points as well.
Redo the census using the infrared method.
We demand a new Environmental assessment be developed and submitted for public comment. Also new range analysis on the effects of horses vs livestock on our public lands.
Due to harsh winters and loss of life of these horses do not proceed with theDNA and removal of more horses!
There are other methods of controlling the horse population other than the ones presently used and with good results. Reversal birth control using PZP.
Leave the horses where they are rather than removing them to holding pen that are already overflowing with horses that have been removed.
Stop the abuse of these National treasures!
Stop the abuse and treatment of these wild horses and leave them where they are!
Please submit your comments here:
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
Just got a request from WHE to comment – and did. Laura has several lawsuits going right now – still no CAWP
(welfare plan) from BLM . But then why would they? There has been absolutely NO oversight on this agency of our government from the beginning. Its all been up to Wild Horse Advocates & a few organizations like yours and Laura’s.
I used her suggestions & created my own comment. Really wish our comments and the hard work done by you, Laura, and a few other organizations who dont get the huge donations as some who take credit do, but do the work.
Thanks for all you do.
Maggie
Thank you Maggie.
Please review and update your count of wild horses for 2024! Im sure your numbers might be off! There should be NO removal of horses with BLM’s numbers and assesments are not up to date!
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
Gandhi stated, “The GREATNESS of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the WAY its animals are TREATED.” Let’s STOP this cruelty of these protected American horses once and for all!
I visited the Wild Horse Loop in the White Mountain as a Canadian tourist and firmly believe these horses should remain on the range, rather than in holding corrals. I understand that the US tax-paying citizens are burdened with the cost of housing and feeding all of the wild horses that are captured. If there are no horses to be seen on the Loop, tourism in this area will ultimately experience a loss.
The White Mountain HMA needs to have a new census that excludes foals and factors in the loss of many horses during the winter 0f 2022-2023 which in turn, affects the valid use of the current DNA.
Will submit comments to the BLM link. I sincerely hope that this round-up never happens!
I do not understand why a recount of the horses isn’t made due to the loss of both young an old throughout the winter. I’m sure it has decreased. Then get on with birth control. I’m sure most of these horses are past their breeding prime but one never knows. Then determine if it is truly the horses or the cattle who make the largest impact on the land. I know both feed differently so that should be considered. Personally I’d like to see the cattle men use rotating pasture methods. They can do this!.
Wild Horses are not overpopulated and play a very crucial role in our environment helping to stop WILDFIRES to help the land flourish and to help other wildlife growth Any actions taken to remove the wild horses should be stopped,80 percent of Americans do not want these horrifying Roundups These Wild Horses are crucial for the environment just like the bee every animal on this earth plays a role in keeping the earth livable for all of us and the BLM and other agencies are not removing the wild horses for no other reasons but to make millions of Our Tax Dollars I don’t want my taxes used to an agency with it’s own financial agenda without facts or science! It’s an agenda destroying our Wild Horses and Burros And Our Public lands for their own profits
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
Of all places I have vacationed, Wyoming was the greatest experience, Wish the appropriate people did the right thing to see exactly where the herds stand, numbers wise and I agree do not count foals, our government offices like taking short cuts way too easily and too often…
Please leave these beautiful horses alone.
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
Please let them remain free! Please count the ones that have died! Keep them free, it’s what the people want!
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
Please do your due diligence in recording numbers of horses in this area. It is clear this has not been done. Support for your projected removals cannot be gained with faulty and incorrect information and numbers.
Please cancel this roundup and leave the wild horses free ! This herd has already had enough loses ! Please no roundup ! Leave the wild horses free !
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
It makes me ill that these magnificent horses are being attacked again and will be culled again.
Stop roundups and get a complete count before anymore devastation to these herds.
Thank you.
I am devastated that these WH&B are continually treated without the respect they deserve. Year after year it’s the same, they are forced by helicopters flanking them into corals where too many “broken” horses are fatally injured to be put down.
1. Laws are broken
2. Our public lands are their homes where they live, breath and birth their young.
3. Families are broken apart from one another- which is CRUEL. Horse families should be allowed to stay together. Just like our human families do. Think about that for a while.
4. Horses are extremely intelligent and should be given their rights to live and breed on their and our public lands.
5. People are greedy for $’s and don’t do the RIGHT things that they should.
Please reconsider your ways of treatment to our Wild Horses & burrows. After all they are PROTECTED FEDERALLY BY LAW and should be treated as such.
Please stop the “Gathering” as you call it. Leave the herds alone.
It’s the massive amounts of CATTLE that destroy the grassland not the horses.
Please consider using PVP for birth control.
Do your job correctly take censuses of herds for accountability.
I just made a two month road trip to the west – visiting nine states: Wyoming-Montana- Idaho- Nevada- Arizona- New Mexico- Texas- Oklahoma and Iowa. The majority just for viewing our Wild Horses. I spent a good amount of time in the Red Desert, drove mostly scenic roads visiting small country towns, slept in my car on very bumpy roads asking folks where I might see the Wild Mustang herds, the mountains everywhere- ALL FOR THE HOPE TO SEE OUR WILD HORSES.
Spent a lot of $’s in these states boosting the economy.
It was worth every penny- PLEASE keep this opportunity alive for everyone who wants the Wild horse experience.
No Round Ups. Let Mother Nature take her course.
I find it grossly irresponsible and damaging to the animals as well as the environment to remove such a majestic animal from the ecosystem that’s been there for so long. Not to mention is just downright cruel it makes me wonder if you guys have a heart and soul please cease and desist all harassment and use the niceation of the wild horses which make America great 💔
Please stop these unnecessary roundups. These bands of horses have been hit hard enough by winter, old age and predators. Please don’t take anymore.
I submitted my comments, Carol! Thank you for continuing your wild horse advocacy work in print, artwork and podcast form.
Every year, we the people who care about these horses are writing, calling asking these careless, incompetent ones in govt to stop slaughtering and removing these wild horses from their homes. Leave these horses alone already, who are you to say they can stay, live or die. You do not own these wild horses, any animal, they are wild no one ones them,. Wild means free and when you have these careless tyrants who think they can make all the decisions for these animals in control this is what happens. It’s not these wild horses who are the problem, it’s all these control tyrants who are, all of you are the problem. It’s all about power, profit and control, follow the money people, demand that these careless types leave these horses alone., they have as much right to live on this planet as certain humans and that’ is, the good humans.
Please please find it in your hearts to let these animals graze Wyoming wild! Not only do the grounds but they are the reason we visit Wyoming from South Carolina every single year. They are such a special piece of our history and your beauty:
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
To the BLM,
There is strong opposition to the idea of yet another costly and inhumane roundup, when there’s better alternatives with birth control. You are also responsible of holding a census here, as well as accounting for foals born in the last year. You already decimated the McCullough Peaks herd in ways that can’t be reversed. It is your responsibility to protect these animals. Your branch is doing anything but that, and you need to take responsibility for your actions.
Please submit your comments here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030339/570/8020186/comment
Comments submitted. Thank you for all you do! I pray we can make a difference!
Thank you for the clear information.
Comment submitted using all you provided, and the points from WHE.
Thank you for guiding everyone to speak up!
So critical for as many as possible to do so…and appreciate the insights others are sharing here.
The lack of oversight over this agency and the failure to follow reasonable guidelines is beyond comprehension.
The treatment of our wild horses is a critical issue that all Americans need to be alerted to.