BLM hears public comments for and against helicopter roundups

Last week, the Bureau of Land Management held an annual public hearing on the use of helicopters and motorized vehicles to round up wild horses and burros. Most of the verbal comments were against helicopter gathers due to the injuries and deaths that can occur. The BLM is required by the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to hold annual public hearings on “the use of motorized vehicles in the management of wild horses and burros.” The agency says it uses aircraft and ground vehicles during roundups, wild horse and burro population surveys, transportation to short-term holding corrals and long-term holding “pasture” facilities and to animal adoption, sale and transfer events throughout the country.