Wildlife board nearly triples bison hunt
SUSAN GALLAGHER
Associated Press
MISSOULA, Mont. - 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.

Mabey the state realized that "hunts" bring in revenue and that the anti's are a questionable threat, mainly because the anti's scream bloody murder no matter what the state does.

That kinda lessens the impact of any statement that the anti groups might have had.

AllanD

A most sensible decision. But now watch the anti's start in. First thing will probably be a lawsuit to stop the hunt.

I remember watching the news a few years ago and the anti's were harrassing the hunters. It was a real gong show.

Hunt the anti's I would buy a tag for that

I would like to know what these people do for a living, most likely live off others.