Yesterday was supposed to be a very short drive into the McCullough Peaks HMA for me, I had seen from another photographer that there was a new barrier up blocking yet more access into the Peaks, limiting yet even more public observation of the bait trap and removal operations, so I did not expect to get very far or spend very much time in the HMA.....
Barrier across Whistle Creek Road in McCullough Peaks
As I pulled up to the cattle guard you must drive across into the pasture where the west side bait trap is located, and that the horses have been locked in for about two months now, there were other cars already parked, with the barrier off to the side of the road.
I was quickly warned by those already parked that there still was no access, that the BLM Ranger had moved the barrier only for himself to go in, and that he had told them they were not allowed to go past the cattle guard. After a little while the Ranger came back up and spoke with us; San Jose, and one of his mares Black Beauty, were in the trap and the BLM were preparing to load them into their trailer.
After some discussion with the Ranger it was established that we could walk down the fence line a little ways and observe the trap from there, so we did....
East side bait trap McCullough Peaks HMA
I honestly cannot tell you how long we were there observing the operations as they worked to load San Jose and Black Beauty into the trailer, maybe 45 minutes or an hour. It took a few minutes to set up my camera and tripod, once I had everything set where it recorded the trap and actions in and around it, I just left it recording and it ran for 29 minutes before shutting itself off, immediately restarting it as they were not done loading, it recorded another 15 minutes of operations before all was done and these wild horses were now loaded into the BLM trailer.
Why is it important how long we were there and how long it took?
Is it important at all??
It is... because while I do not in any way agree with the removal of even one of these wild horses, if we cannot stop it the next step is to ensure that it is done with dignity and respect offered to these horses losing their freedoms, that the best possible care is given that they may suffer the least possible physical harm from the actions of humans.
And as much as I hate all of this, the people involved in the action today did a fairly decent job of allowing these horses time and space to enter that trailer, using simple body movements and energy to move the horses towards and into the trailer.... allowing the horses to think about what they were being asked to do.
Nope the horses did not enjoy it and yep they were of course stressed!!
But it could have been a thousand times worse, BLM staff used a couple of flags to encourage the horses to move forward, and San Jose does react and hits the trap fence a couple of times, but all things considered they could have used more forceful means pushing them into the trailer much faster and much more stressed, we could have witnessed a stressed and frightened horse severely harming or even killing themselves in the trap or in the trailer.... and this is why we request observation access, if the BLM staff who so desperately do not want us anywhere near their operations, who do not want to be observed at any time in any way, would stop and consider for even a minute they would realize that having someone from the public there every single time they are working with the horses, there would not be half the speculation, suspicion, and anger that there is right now.
Secrecy breeds suspicion and suspicion breeds conspiracy theories - and that path never leads anywhere good.
Bait Trap Removal
Video clips during the trap and removal of San Jose and Black Beauty.... video trimmed as 40 minutes was just too long.
As they drove past us with Black Beauty and San Jose in the trailer, the Ranger again stopped to speak with us, and for a brief moment as well the Cody office field manager, Cade Powell.
I have to tell you my impression of Cade Powell was not great.... he was clearly angry and not amused with any of us being there, informing us that 'absolutely no one knew the horses of the McCullough Peaks like Abel' or 'loved them as much as Abel'.
Cade went on to state that 'we have to do this removal or otherwise there will be 500 horses in two years and they will starve to death' and 'that is my statement' - I was so stunned by his obvious anger and his statements that I just stared at him wondering - how on earth he actually believed there would be 500 horses in 2 years???
By the Cody BLMs own admission in their written EA, population growth for the McCullough Peaks is at 2% yearly.
Assuming the population of last summer before several older horses died:
180 * 0.02 = 3.6 foals born each year... so how on earth does that equal to 500 horses in two years??? And as there was nothing in the EA regarding death rates we can only assume they did not calculate that at all - which with an aging population will result in this particular herd shrinking naturally over the next few years.
Unless... well, have they failed at their own darting program?
Are they not darting as planned, as is in the EA, in a timely and consistent manner?
I could write for days about this removal, there is no part of me that will ever accept that it is necessary or right. But there is one thing in particular from yesterday that is like a burr under a saddle blanket to me.... the request by BLM staff that we write something nice about what we had observed that afternoon.
This just really annoys me in ways that I cannot express without the kind of language that would be censored - the over-all attitude from Cody BLM staff during this removal, that the public does not have the right or need to see actions taken during the operation, that we are not supposed to share anything that is not positive - really!?!
Straight up - it is not our job to be nice!!!! We as the public are supposed to be aware of what a tax funded government agency is doing, and that includes the actions of that agencies employees! No, I do not need to know every damn thing they do.... I am not worried about every minute of their day! But we do have a right to know how the operations are being conducted, we have a right to know the horses are being treated with dignity, respect, and the utmost of care!!!
We have a right to know if BLM staff are following written policy and protocol!!
I have requested that we be given access to see the temporary holding corrals, I was told that may or may not be possible due to it being on private property and safety concerns - there are so many ways they could still allow us a visit to ensure the holding corrals are safe and CAWP compliant, while still ensuring the safety of those involved and on private property - it has been done before, I have done it, and it is standard practice to visit the temporary holding corrals after horses have been removed!
It is not my job to play nice so that I may or may not be given tidbits of information from BLM staff.... if you want me to write up nice things, then put your best foot forward, make sure you are doing your best job possible, and be open and transparent - that is their job!!