BLM to begin Callahan Complex helicopter gather July 10 to remove up to 2,000 wild horses

Sam Alt, acting BLM field manager, told the county on July 9 that a helicopter gather in the Callahan Complex will begin July 10 and run no later than Aug. 31 with authority to remove up to 2,000 horses across four herd management areas covering roughly 1.1 million acres.

Alt said inventory work in February 2025 estimated about 4,489 horses, and after expected recruitment he estimated the current population at around 5,400. He explained capacity and logistical constraints – "The more you gather horses the more they scatter" – and said short-term holding facilities have been identified in Sparks and Fallon where horses will be processed, photographed, freeze-marked and either adopted or moved to long-term holding. The BLM also described temporary closures and public viewing/RSVP instructions posted online; heat-based shutdown conditions and outreach to local permittees were emphasized.

Why it matters: Ranchers and rural residents raised concerns about herd distribution and impacts on private lands; the BLM said contractor objectives will be updated daily and local input will guide daily operations. The gather is intended to move herd sizes toward Appropriate Management Levels (AML) for rangeland health and multiple-use balance.

Next steps: The BLM will update daily gather counts online, maintain a press-release and public-affairs contact for observers, and coordinate with county officials and permittees on priorities.