Montana revives bison hunt near park

Montana’s wildlife commission has voted to resume bison hunting, allowing up to 25 animals to be killed next year if they enter the state from Yellowstone National Park.

The first hunt, tentatively set for January, would be the first time in more than a decade that the animals were legally hunted in Montana. The hunts were canceled in 1991 following a firestorm of controversy over shooting of the animals as they leave Yellowstone each winter in search of forage.

The state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission voted 3-2 to hold a hunt from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, 2005. Future hunts would run from Nov. 15 through Feb. 15, with the number of permits varying each year.

State game officials had recommended just five permits be issued for the first season, but the commission voted to increase that to 25. Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff told the commission they preferred approaching the hunt conservatively, in hopes of avoiding the conflicts and national black eye that came with the state’s previous public hunts.

Advocates say bison that leave the park threaten the health of Montana cattle. Bison in the park carry the disease brucellosis, which can cause cattle to abort, and ranchers fear bison can pass the disease to their herds.

Opponents urged the commission to postpone the hunt for at least a year.

Currently, the bison are hazed by state and federal officials in an effort to return them to the park.

Those that cannot be coaxed or herded back into the park are captured and tested for brucellosis. Those that test positive are slaughtered.