Funding opportunity number: L23AS00020FUNDING opportunity goals text: objectives for this project are to manage wild horse population growth rates in herds throughout oregon to assist the BLM in…

Funding opportunity number: L23AS00020FUNDING opportunity goals text: objectives for this project are to manage wild horse population growth rates in herds throughout oregon to assist the BLM in keeping wild horse populations within healthy appropriate management level targets. High desert solutions (HDS) will accomplish these objectives by initially performing in-depth monitoring of herds to collect data and determine darting strategies and priorities. Once data has been collected, priority horses have been identified, and a strategic plan has been created, priority horses will be darted with fertility control drugs. Once darting is complete, continual monitoring will take place to determine successes and conceptualize the next steps. This will allow HDS to determine priority horses that need to be darted again or given boosters and when IT is appropriate to start allocating resources for the next herd in oregon. HDS will accomplish their objectives by initially performing in-depth monitoring of herds to collect data and determine darting strategies and priorities. Once data has been collected, priority horses have been identified, and a strategic plan has been created, priority horses will be darted with fertility control drugs. Once darting is complete, continual monitoring will take place to determine successes and conceptualize the next steps. This will allow HDS to determine priority horses that need to be darted again or given boosters and when IT is appropriate to start allocating resources for the next herd in oregon. The expected outcomes of this project include stabilizing the population by decreasing reproduction rates and maintaining herds within appropriate management level (AML). During the performance period of this project HDS will administer fertility control via remote dart delivery to approximately 150 - 200 mares and fillies in the coyote lake alvord-tule, cold springs, HOG creek, and sand springs hmas annually. Including additional pre-work in other HMA areas within the vale district or beyond as the program expands