Little Fishlake Wild Horse Territory

The Little Fishlake Wild Horse Territory (WHT) is administered by the Austin/Tonopah Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Location/Habitat

The Little Fishlake WHT is located in Nevada approximately 50 miles southwest of Eureka. The territory consists of about 76,000 acres of Forest Service land and about 28,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, located on the east portion of the Monitor Mountain Range.

The Little Fishlake WHT includes the crest of the Monitor Range to the west and the Little Fishlake and Stone Cabin Valleys to the east. The topography is a combination of peaks, canyons, and valleys.

Vegetation includes low sagebrush communities, mountain meadows, and pinyon-juniper communities.

Wildlife present in the territory include elk, deer, antelope, sage grouse, and mountain lion.

Livestock grazing is permitted within the wild horse territory.

History

Most of the wild horses in Central Nevada are descendants of horses that strayed or were abandoned by their owners during the mining booms and the settlements of homesteads in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Prior to the passing of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, it was common practice for local ranchers to periodically release studs with “good blood” to “upgrade” the herds. Roundups would occasionally be held and suitable animals would either be sold or kept on the ranch, trained, and used as cow ponies.

Herd Description

The Little Fishlake WHT is managed for 132 horses. Dominant colors found within the herd are sorrel, bay, and black.

For More Information

Contact the Tonopah Ranger District at 775-482-6286.

Last modified: Monday, 05-Dec-2005 12:18:32 EST