[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR222.22]

[Page 71-72]
 
              TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
          CHAPTER II--FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 222_RANGE MANAGEMENT--Table of Contents
 
       Subpart B_Management of Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros
 
Sec. 222.22  Ownership claims.

    (a) Any person claiming ownership under State branding and estray 
laws of branded or unbranded horses or burros within a wild horse or 
burro territory or range on the National Forest System where such 
animals are not authorized must present evidence of ownership to justify 
a roundup before permission will be granted to gather such animals. 
Claims of ownership with supporting evidence were required to be filed 
during a claiming period which expired November 15, 1973. Unauthorized 
privately owned horses or burros entering the National Forest System 
after November 15, 1973, which become intermingled with wild horses or 
burros, may be claimed by filing an application with the District 
Ranger. All authorizations to gather claimed animals shall be in writing 
in accordance with instructions as the Chief, Forest Service, may 
prescribe. After such public notice as an authorized officer deems 
appropriate to inform interested parties, gathering operations may be 
authorized. The authorization shall provide that the gathering or 
roundup be consistent with regulations, and will (1) establish a 
specific reasonable period of time to allow the gathering of claimed 
animals and (2) stipulate other conditions, including visual observation 
by Forest Service personnel deemed necessary to ensure humane treatment 
of associated wild free-roaming horses and burros and to protect other 
resources involved.
    (b) Prior to removal of claimed animals which have been captured 
from the National Forest System, claimants

[[Page 72]]

shall substantiate their claim of ownership in accordance with whatever 
criteria are cooperatively agreed to between the Forest Service and the 
State agency administering the State estray laws. In the absence of an 
agreement, ownership claims shall be substantiated in accordance with 
State law and subject to approval of the Forest Service.