Official NRCS Virginia Range Wild Horse Study
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A Scientific Approach to Cooperative Wild Horse Management |
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This presentation is an exact duplication of a 2001 publication that describes the NRCS study of 85,130 acres of the 283,769 acres upon which the Virginia Range wild horses range. The study was undertaken in late 1999 to guide wild horse management decisions in the more sensitive areas of the wild horse range. The findings are relevant however it should be noted that a large percentage of the herd ranges in the lower valleys not covered in this study that are more conducive to grazing.
Furthermore this study was needed due to assess the impact of several sequential drought years. The region was listed as "D3 - Drought Extreme" and there was no end in sight. Springs were failing and horses and other wildlife tended to concentrate at the remaining water sources. Since then conditions have improved, the region is now listed as "Moderate," and a number of alternative water resources have been developed to help disburse horse and wildlife grazing pressure. (Furthermore, it is snowing in the Virginia Range as this document is being prepared.)
US Drought Monitor for April, 2008.
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