FY2026 North Complex Round Up
Nevada
FY2026 North Complex Wild Horse Roundup
Day 1 — Observation Report
The North Complex consists of the Dogskin Mountains, Flanigan, and Granite Peak HMAs and is located approximately 30 miles north of Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County.
The established AML (Appropriate Management Level) is 101–157 wild horses.
According to BLM, animal conditions in the Dogskin Mountains, Flanigan, and Granite Peak HMAs are declining due to range degradation and a lack of sustainable water resources. BLM states that regular monitoring has occurred throughout the complex to observe wild horse body conditions, range conditions, and available water sources.
Day 1
Weather conditions were mild, with temperatures ranging from 45–79°F and winds approximately 2 mph.
Nine members of the public were present, along with myself, a team member of WHE, and a KOLO News 8 journalist.
With the number of people in attendance, it felt more like a PR day. However, I don't believe that was so much for BLM's benefit as it was because of the public who had come out to observe.
I spoke with a gentleman who has volunteered for BLM for seven years, putting in thousands of hours at the Moon Rocks recreation area. He has a solid background in Animal Science and was frequently on site, observing the horses.
He stated there was approximately one horse per square mile and that he knew every horse in the area where he volunteered. According to him, there were 32 horses living in his work area.
All 32 were removed.
He stated that the horses were in very good health.
What concerned me was the information he shared about their water source.
For the past seven years, these horses had been using a water source supplied along Bedell Road. According to him, that water source was shut off approximately five days before the roundup began, pushing the horses into lower areas in search of water.
For seven years, those horses had gone to that location for water, and five days before the roundup, it was dry.
Observation Area
The observation area where we had been placed was just above the Moon Rocks recreational area.
There were a lot of recreational vehicles and activity going on around us, including in the area where the horses were being pushed by the helicopter.
According to BLM, the area was supposed to be closed off to the general public within five miles of the trap and temporary holding facility. However, the issue with off-road vehicles is that they go off-road, where there are no signs posted indicating closures.
The trap was approximately one mile from our observation location, and we had no obstructed views.
Day 1 Gather Numbers
Two runs were completed, removing a total of 32 wild horses.
9 Stallions
16 Mares
7 Foals
0 Deaths
Temporary holding is located on private land, so we are unable to view the horses once they are taken there.
The horses are being shipped to the short-term holding facility in Litchfield, California.
The contractor conducting the roundup is Cattoor Livestock, with a contract amount of $213,082.
One thing I also want to point out is that the map associated with the Categorical Exclusion indicates an area extending well beyond the HMA boundaries.
No horses will be returned to the range.
Link to BLM 2026 N Comlex Roundup