US Agency’s Nevada Boss Urges Roundup of 4,000 Mustangs

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Nevada director wants to free up more federal rangeland for livestock grazing this summer by rounding up 4,000 wild horses in Elko County.

That's more mustangs than were gathered across 10 Western states combined last year. BLM Nevada Director John Ruhs, Gov. Brian Sandoval and state wildlife officials say removing the horses from four herd management areas in Elko County near the Utah line would also benefit the greater sage grouse.

Conservationists say the call for more roundups is a misguided attempt to placate ranchers at the expense of horses and grouse. They say cattle do far more damage than mustangs to the drought-stricken range and the imperiled bird.