BLM begins Spring Mountains wild horse and burro gather to remove about 850 animals from three Nevada HMAs
The Bureau of Land Management began a gather on March 15, 2026, in the Spring Mountains Complex to remove about 850 wild horses and burros from Johnnie, Red Rock and Wheeler Pass HMAs to protect range and public safety.
- Operation: Temporary bait-and-water traps (no helicopters) to remove roughly 425 horses and 425 burros.
- Scope: Three HMAs across about 616,912 acres (Johnnie, Red Rock, Wheeler Pass); current estimates: 749 horses and 1,048 burros (not including 2026 foals).
- Objective: Reduce public-safety risks, prevent land degradation and restore ecological balance under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
What the gather covers
The Spring Mountains Complex lies roughly 60 miles west and northwest of Las Vegas in Clark County and includes three Herd Management Areas (HMAs) the BLM says need population adjustments to maintain range health and public safety. The combined complex covers approximately 616,912 acres.
Johnnie HMA: 177,237 acres of BLM land plus 2,131 acres of other land (179,368 total). The BLM lists an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 65–108 wild burros; BLM does not manage horses in this HMA. (BLM announcement)
Red Rock HMA: 157,443 acres of BLM land plus 4,526 other acres (161,969 total); AML is 16–27 wild horses and 29–49 wild burros. (BLM gather page)
Wheeler Pass HMA: 273,898 acres of BLM land plus 1,677 other acres (275,575 total); AML is 47–66 wild horses and 20–35 wild burros. (BLM announcement)
Why the BLM says this is needed
The agency frames the gather around three primary goals:
- Restore rangeland health: Protect public lands from “undue or unnecessary degradation” and restore a thriving natural ecological balance under Section 1333(b) of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. (BLM announcement)
- Reduce public-safety risks: Address animals entering highways and private property, damaging fencing, waterlines and vegetation — hazards to motorists and property owners. (BLM gather page)
- Protect other wildlife: Maintain habitat for mule deer, sage and blue grouse, eagles and hawks and meet rangeland health standards cited by the Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. (BLM announcement)
Methods, safety and oversight
BLM officials say this gather will use bait-and-water traps — temporary corrals with panels, water and forage to lure animals — rather than helicopter drives. The agency will implement temporary closures around trap sites for public safety; only essential personnel will be allowed near operations under federal regulations (43 CFR 8364.1). (BLM gather page)
Animals removed will be transported to Palomino Valley Off-Range Corrals in Reno for veterinary checks and placement into the BLM Adoption/Sales Program. Gather reports, NEPA documents and status updates will be posted on the BLM gather page and the National NEPA Register. Technical contact: Allison Meaney, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, (702) 515-5000; media contact: Heather O’Hanlon, Southern Nevada District Office, 775-623-1567. (BLM announcement)
“Temporary closures around trap sites will protect public safety; only essential personnel will be allowed near operations.”
Current status
As of the latest update on the BLM gather page, the gather had not yet recorded animals gathered, shipped, released, or deaths (0 stallions, mares, foals, jacks, jennies listed). The BLM notes prior activity: Red Rock HMA was gathered in 2024 and Johnnie HMA in 2023. (BLM announcement)
Broader context in Nevada
This action is part of a larger set of Nevada operations announced in March 2026 targeting roughly 2,075 horses and 425 burros across complexes including Caliente, Antelope, Triple B and Pancake. The wider wave has drawn attention from federal land managers and animal-welfare advocates. (Wild Narrative Project; Return to Freedom)
Implications for Hesperia, California
Economic impact: Residents may see adoption opportunities from animals moved to Palomino Valley; taxpayers fund holding and veterinary care until placement. Citizens seeking fiscal transparency may request details on holding costs and timelines. (BLM announcement)
Political consequences: Local conservative voters may view the gather through property-rights and public-safety lenses — BLM’s emphasis on highway safety and infrastructure protection may resonate with constituents and local officials.
Social effects: Traffic safety concerns are prominent; Hesperia drivers familiar with large-animal collision risks may note parallels. Emergency responders and law enforcement could monitor the gather for regional coordination lessons. (BLM gather page)
Cultural relevance: Wild horses and burros symbolize the West; stewardship of public lands and ranching heritage inform local reactions. The BLM stresses balancing native wildlife protection and population management.
Practical applications: Motorists should monitor BLM updates and heed closure notices. Potential adopters and county officials can follow gather reports and NEPA documents if they plan to comment or pursue adoptions. (BLM gather page)
Reporting & sources
Primary BLM materials (announcement, gather page and NEPA files): BLM announcement; BLM gather page.
Context reporting: Wild Narrative Project; Return to Freedom.
Technical contact: Allison Meaney, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, (702) 515-5000. Media contact: Heather O’Hanlon, Southern Nevada District Office, 775-623-1567. (BLM announcement)
Ongoing coverage
This story will be updated as the BLM posts gather reports and status changes on the official gather site. For immediate technical questions about capture locations or operations contact the Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at the number above. NEPA documents and source material are available through the BLM gather page and the National NEPA Register.
