A band of wild horses is herded via helicopter down a draw in the North Piceance area. The Bureau of Land Management has gathered 73 horses in northwest Colorado. The horses will be taken to a BLM wild horse facility in Canyon City where they will be prepared for adoption. 

The chase helicopter takes off past the corrals and camp in the north Pineance area.

A cowboy plays with a lasso as they wait for the helicopter to herd a band back to the catch pen.

The helicopter is refueled.

The BLM set up a viewing area for the public to see the horses coming into the pen while not disturbing the gather.

The helicopter moves a band of three horses down a draw toward the catch corral.

The helicopter drops lower to the ground as it chases the band of three closer to the catch pen.

As the wild horses are directed by the helicopter, a “Judas horse” is released. The horse is trained to lead the wild horses toward the pen.

A cowboy hides behind the jute temporary fence waiting to pull the gate closed as the horses pass.

After the first three horses were caught, the long wait for another glimpse of the horses began behind the netting at the viewing area.

After several fuelings of the helicopter, word comes that another band is nearing the catch pen. The “Judas horse” is taken to out to wait for the wild horses to arrive.

A band of five horses comes into view.

The helicopter pilot drops near the horses so they head for the pen.

Four wild horse of a band of five are funneled into a holding pen.

Authorities watch the last group of horses as the sun sets. The gather this day caught eight horses.