Tuesday, September 25, 2012

""I Walk The Line"" by Arla M. Ruggles | Redbubble

""I Walk The Line"" by Arla M. Ruggles | Redbubble:

Jupiter – Mustang of the Triple B HMA (Central Eastern Nevada), captured in August, 2011; shipped to Palomino Valley “Short Term Holding Facility” in northwestern Nevada. Gelded and permanently scarred with the BLM neck brand, Jupiter was determined to be too old and too wild to go into the BLM adoption program. According to their assessment, he was then 15 years old.

I have been watching this horse for years in his natural wild habitat. I believe he is at least 21; had been a band stallion with several mares, after which he has been alone for about two years.

At holding, they labeled him “incorrigible” and prepared to ship him to “Long Term Holding” somewhere in the midwest (typically, Nebraska or Oklahoma). He was given ANOTHER brand – this time, the huge number on his hip.

I saw photographs of my old friend on Facebook, and could not hold back my vehement comment, that this horse should NEVER have been taken from his native range (BLM policy forbids the gathering of horses over 20).

One thing lead to another, and I was able to purchase this roan and another gelding, and have them brought to a pasture near where they had been captured.

Ten months later, Jupiter is doing well in his own private sanctuary, where he is allowed to live without any human interference.

Location Undisclosed
(2012.SEP.08)

"Hope And Promise" by Arla M. Ruggles | Redbubble

"Hope And Promise" by Arla M. Ruggles | Redbubble:

Monday, June 25, 2012

Triple B HMA South - Butte Valley


Nobody who's been there recently would dispute that conditions are very dry in the Triple B HMA, which extends from Cherry Spring (near Ruby Lakes Wildlife Refuge) on the northeastern end to Hercules' Gap on the southwest; encompassing virtually all of the public lands between I-93 and I-50 in White Pine and Elko Counties.

To proclaim "drought" in an area designated as high desert seems a bit redundant, since drought is the norm, rather than the exception, in a desert environment.
Limousine Butte Mine
39°53'34.33"N / 115° 3'5.52"

Reclamation appears to have been completed, as no heavy equipment is around the site. No livestock.


Sheep Camp   39°48'13.01"N - 115° 8'29.20"W








 
Power source for portable motor to drive the pump. 
It is customary to remove motors when the location is not being used
.

Hunter Spring ~ 39°35'0.03"N  / 115° 07.46"W






























Horse Canyon - 39°45'14.03"N / 114°57'28.86"W


In the 50 yrs that I have been visiting this site, the tank has NEVER been empty. In dry years, the puddles dry up, but the tank has always had some water in it. Sheep ranchers knew how to pipe these springs so that large animals would not damage them.

Starving and thirsty?  I don't think so!

-------------------------  2012.06.23  ------------------------- 
Butte Valley












Dry tank and trough





-------------------------    2012.06.28  ------------------------- 

Telegraph Mountain


Natural spring piped for sheep. Maintained annually - West Ranches.

Natural spring

Natural spring piped for sheep. Not maintained- West Ranches.