Devils Garden (Calif.) roundup meeting set for July 11

Wild horses flee a helicopter during a roundup at the Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory in Northern California in 2016. RTF file photo by Steve Paige.

 

As published by Herald & News

ALTURAS, CALIF. — A public meeting focusing on an upcoming wild horse gather is planned for 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Modoc National Forest Headquarters, 225 W. Eighth St., in Alturas, according to a news release.

The meeting will provide updates on a wide range of activities; focusing on planning for the gather of 1,000 wild horses this fall and use of helicopters and other motorized vehicles during gather operations. Forest personnel will accept public comments during the meeting.

In conjunction with this meeting, University of California Cooperative Extension — Modoc County is planning a clean-up day on July 12. Participants are asked to bring water, gloves, sunscreen, hats, sturdy boots and lunch. Participants will meet at Forest headquarters at 9 a.m. for a chance to contribute to the health of the wild horse herd and the land that supports them.

Wild horse gathers are prescribed by the 2013 Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory Management Plan. The plan is available online at . This plan designates an appropriate management level of 206 to 402 adult wild horses. There are currently an estimated 3,900 on and around the territory.

Gathered horses will need homes. The Devil’s Garden offers horses that can be trained for any number of uses. Find information on how to adopt wild horses at https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/.