Montana: Wildlife board nearly triples bison hunt

[Desertdog]

Wildlife board nearly triples bison hunt
http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=1555189


By SUSAN GALLAGHER Associated Press Writer

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- The number of licenses to hunt bison that wander into Montana from Yellowstone National Park this winter will almost triple from last season, state wildlife commissioners decided Thursday.

In June, the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission endorsed a tentative plan to authorize 100 licenses, double last season's number. On Thursday they added another 40.

The increase will focus on bison cows, making the hunt more of a herd management tool "rather than just tipping them over for trophies," Commissioner Shane Colton said.

Activists opposed to any hunting of Yellowstone bison said the commission's decision to boost the number of licenses simply worsens a bad idea.

"If you want a public relations nightmare, I think you're moving in the right direction," said Dan Brister of the Buffalo Field Campaign.

The state considers the hunt part of a plan to manage bison that migrate from Yellowstone and may carry the cattle disease brucellosis, which is present in Yellowstone's bison herds.

Some ranchers fear wandering bison will spread the disease to cattle in Montana, where it has been eradicated.

Beyond the hunt, a state-federal management plan allows for bison that stray to be hazed back into the park, or captured and in some cases shipped to slaughter. Hundreds have been sent to slaughter this year.

In March, Yellowstone officials estimated the park's bison herd at 3,500 animals. In the bison management plan, 3,000 is the target population size.

 

[carebear]

"If you want a public relations nightmare, I think you're moving in the right direction," said Dan Brister of the Buffalo Field Campaign.

Yeah, because the most important thing in wildlife management and animal disease control is how the ignorant non-local public feel about things.

 

[ID_shooting]

"Buffalo Field Campaign"

You shoud see these jokers. We sat on the highway one day and watched 'em (we have a place on the Idaho side by the park). They were acctually trying to herd the buffalo back into the park by waving thier arms around and shouting, MORONS!

Lets see, 170lb granola eater attempting to scare a 1500lb wild animal. They must have one heck of an attrition rate.

 

[ArmedBear]

Mmmmm! Delicious bison!

 

[ArmedBear]

Hundreds have been sent to slaughter this year.

Buffalo Field Campaign wants hundreds slaughtered, rather than 100 hunted?

 

[TXGunGeek]

Bison Nuts

Buffalo Field Campaign wants hundreds slaughtered, rather than 100 hunted?


NO, They want the hunters slaughtered. They have gone so far as to puposely crash into the convoy hauling the bison. As in crash into a 1 ton pulling a gooseneck stock trailer loaded with bison!!! I know because my father in law was in one of the chase trucks and watched it happen. He was part of the old crew that actually tracked the bison on horseback and if they couldn't haze them back into the park, they dropped them and called the indian res and the indians would come out and take everything.

When he told me they were considereing bringing back the lottery hunt and asked if I was interested I replied "I need a new gun". He offered his .375 but I turned him down so I had an excuse to get one of my own. Now I just need to win the lottery one of these times. I couldn't hire a better guide.