A helicopter from contractor Cattoor Livestock Roundup Co. drives wild horses toward the trap during a 2017 roundup at the Cedar Mountain Horse Management Area in Utah. RTF file photo by Steve Paige.

The Bureau of Land Management will host its annual statewide public hearing on helicopter use in wild horse roundups on Dec. 11.

The meeting will be held at BLM’s Vernal, Utah, field office from 6-7 p.m. The office is located at 170 S. 500 E.

According to BLM’s March 1 estimate, the more the 3 million Herd Management Area and Herd Area acreage in Utah managed by the agency were home to an estimated 4,610 wild horses and 344 burros.

BLM’s population target for Utah is between 992 and 1,786 — as low as one horse or burro for every 3,087 acres.