CEDAR CITY — The Bureau of Land Management Cedar City Field Office will begin gather operations Feb. 8 to remove excess wild horses from within and outside of the Sulphur Herd Management Area in Beaver, Iron and Millard counties. The gather is expected to last approximately 20 days.
The BLM will gather approximately 376 wild horses from BLM-administered lands using the helicopter drive-trapping method. Population growth suppression will be implemented to help stabilize the annual increase of animals being born. The appropriate management level for this herd management area is from 165 to 250 animals, and the current population is approximately 600 horses. Horses removed from the range will be transported to the Axtell Off-Range Contract Wild Horse Facility in Axtell, Utah.
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily helicopter operations through BLM-escorted tours, as long as conditions remain safe for both the horses and participants, and while ensuring that gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water, and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars, and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended because of possible snowy and muddy conditions. Details on the BLM-escorted tours will be updated each evening during the gather and announced daily on the BLM gather hotline at (801) 539-4050.
Gather operations will begin Feb. 8, and individuals should meet at the Border Inn located on the Utah-Nevada Border on Highway 6 and historic Highway 50 where tours will depart at 5:30 a.m. Please be aware that cell phones may automatically change the time zone to Pacific Time due to the location.
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Always stay at least six feet from others. Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to use if soap and water are not available.
- Do not attend the gather if you are sick, recently exposed to someone with COVID, or are not feeling well.
Public lands will remain open unless closures are deemed necessary to protect public safety. Outdoor recreationists and visitors to the gather area should be aware that there will be low-flying helicopters. During the gather, no recreational use of drones is allowed in the Sulphur HMA and surrounding lands within and near Mountain Home and Indian Peak Mountain areas where wild horses may be found. Brief road closures may also be needed to allow movement of horses during gather operations.
Gather updates and information will be posted on the BLM’s website. The BLM will also post updates on Twitter using the hashtag #SulphurGather. To learn more about how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit the BLM National Wild Horse and Burro website or call 866-468-7826.
For additional information, please contact Lisa Reid at 435-743-3128. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
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