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Show IMIM 10A Sun Advocate Price, Utah Thursday July 18, 2002 Copter OWBOYING (r ;r . v- (r - SC i A.J V- - Iw'fc' iJEg&h: appeared to be strong and healthy, most haying slide blade coats. But the animals were thin- the eastern mountains of Carbon ner than normal because of the drought The set up, conducted by the BLM and its volunteeers, went like clockwork the first day on the range . Corrals, referred to as the trap were set up on a corner of a large fenced pasture, tucked under a hillside. The fences leading into die trap were camouflaged with burlap netting on both sides of the fences leading to the trap. The vehicles were hidden in n a grove of juniper or trees, the cowboys took their places along the outside of the fence, hiding under large sagebrush plants. TWo cowboys took trained horses, known as Judas horses to the top of the hill overlooking the trap and the men knelt as the helicopter twirled away from the setting on its way to bring in the first group County. It was deemed an emergency of mustangs. It was a hurry up and wait situ- in & : far-o- ff '&Si Mi LiiA By KEN LARSON Sun Advocate publisher This veteran cowboy wasnt decked out in wranglers and chaps with a stetsen or leather cowboy boots. He didnt handle a lasso and ride smoothly in his custom saddle. This cowboy is a helicopter pilot, who has been gathering wild mustang horses for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Utah since the early 70s. Cowboying from helicopters is unique and effective, especially when you are tracking down and herding wild mustangs into captivity. The past week BLM crews have gathered an estimated 180 mustangs from wide-brimm- High above Cottonwood yon overlooking the Northeast end of Nine Mile Canyon a group of cowboys have been busy rounding up horses the past week. But this is not your typical roundup. This particular gathvetering is headed by a eran who knows the canyons and hillsides like the back of his hand. 1 le knows the coulees and which springs make up the high desert country in East Carbon County. Can- 30-ye- ar ed gather this year because of vere drought conditions and recent wildfires throughout the western United States. Thousands of acres of habitat for Americas wild horses have been destroyed and this prompted the BLM to conduct emergency gathers to save as many of these animals as possible. Wc could be facing emergency gathers of more than se- pin-yo- ation. The sun was already dimbing in the east, a faint breeze rustled through die sage- brush and pinyons, the high desert was perfectly quiet. Then the tranquility was bro ken by the twirling of the helicopter as it swirled and wound its way over the canyons and coulees, appearing to be chasing fast moving birds, but then the horses appeared. Slick black mustangs, racing over the horizon, mares with their colts, geldings and stallions, all thundering over the prairie trying to free themselves from the hovering giant in the sky. But within seconds the Judas horses guided the wild mustangs into the trap, gates were dosed, and the new life ofa once mustang changed. Many of the gathered horses will be adopted and someday find free-spirit- ed themselves domesticated on family forms and ranches. Once the mustangs were gathered they were hauled to the corrals in Nine Mile Canyon where they were sorted. The mares and colts were paired up again and released, while the team carefully determined the numbers of mares, geldings and stallions to be adopted and the rest, returned to the range. All the animals received their vaccinations and worming medication. The helicopter cowboys con- tinued gathering mustangs throughout the day, sometimes bringing in as many as IS horses at a time, but more often settling for three or four. The for- -, ther away from the trap the horses were found, the longer it took to gather and die fewer they were able to roundup at one time. The BLM gathers nearly 10,000 wild horses off public lands per year. The wild horse is recognized by congress as a part of Americas heritage and the BLM is entrusted with maintaining and preserving these living legends. Since the wild horse has vir- - S no natural predators and reproduce at an average rate of 25 percent per year, they can quickly over populate an area and deplete available food and water supplies. It is not healthy or responsible to let the horses over populate die range, concluded Reid. 4,000 animals, said Lee Delany, group manager for the BLMs Wild Horse program in a recent department newsletter. These removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses. Free roaming herds are monitored and excess animals are removed from public lands to an ecological balance will be maintained for the remaining wild free roaming horses and throughout the western states, as well as native wildlife and liveen-su- re stock. These animals are a living legend that symbolize the historic and pioneer spirit of the Old West, said Lisa Reid, BLM public relations specialist from Cedar City. For the most part the horses that were gathered last. Hiesday National volunteers of the year assist in local mustang roundup Ron and Carol Pownall from Vicksburg, MO. were in their height of glory last Tuesday helping BLM officials gather wild mustangs from Cedar Ridge, for above Cottonwood Canyon in East Carbon County. The Pownalls adopted their first wild mustang in 1999 and cause she had been mistreated and it took nearly six months before they could get their hands mi her, then within weeks they free-spirit- ed horses ever since. We really wanted to see where these hones were coming from and Their first adoptep came from Nevada and was named Starbuck. They adopted her be explained, adding, I got through to her and it was the greatest feeling in the world. The bonding between the hone and its new owner is so fit your personality, said Ron. The Pownalls were featured several months ago on Animal Planet . what they are going through out here on the range, said Carol, her eyes sparkling as she talked about how these mustangs have changed her life. program finds homes for wild mustangs incredible. The Pownalls recommend spending timewith the horses during the adoption process. You have to pick out the hone and the type that you are attracted to and wQl best have been adopting these BLM were riding Starbuck. It was very dear when we became hen," said Carol I saw the change starting to happen, she with their nine adopted wild mustangs. In addition to the national television program they were recently honored with the National Voluliteer Award for their work with the Adopt-a-Horprogram and their dedication to the wild horses. se Adopt-A-Hor- se BLM needs to find good homes for the 4,000 wild horse and burros we have in our corral facilities through the bureaus Adopt-ArHbnor Burro Proe gram, said Lee adopted horses become national champions in dressage, trail endurance,jumping, and snaffle bft competitions. d They are sturdy, sure-foote- Delany, ager for the se can adopt for their children. They must be U.& citizens and have no convictions for inhumane Wild Horse program inarecent newsletter, adding, We need to treatment at least 400 square feet of living space surrounded by a fence but of pipe op; six-fo- ot boank An adoption fee of $125 per animal. if begatheriogfiomthe emergency. The mustangs are wild and fall of spunk, according to Lisa Reid, Utah BLM public relations Adopt-A-Hor- ofammah. At home, they must provide a corral with find as many good adopters as possible to make room for the animals that we will odist for the since the Adopt-A-Horor Burro Program wgan in 1973. Hone adopters must be at least 18 yean old, though parents ee program, butwMiamde patience andalotofkwethesehoraeswill make excellent riding stock. With proper training some animals ideal for any outdoor hone activity, Butiodartytrail and pleasure riding. : More than 15(1000 animals have been placed in private homes cfaaigedtoheip defray, the cost of gathering' and preparing the animals for adoption.. : . For more information about the bureau's adoption program; ca0 arvim the BLM web page at .. ! |