The Gnarly Bison Issue

Why Bison?

Bear Creek Council sits in the heart of Yellowstone's Northern Range, which is a conflict zone between pro-wildlife agencies and pro-livestock agencies. We began working on this issue in 1997, after that winter's slaughter of more than 1000 buffalo that came outside the north entrance of the park. It's a gnarly issue, can be extremely complicated, but we achieve some success by keeping our focus on specific aspects of the issue, as you'll see below in our position statement and action items. For background, please google for bison management + Yellowstone, and you'll find plenty. We'll have links up soon.

Bison Position Statement

Bear Creek council endorses the concept of bison as free-ranging wildlife managed by appropriate wildlife agencies.
Because of this endorsement, Bear Creek Council believes that:
1. Access to adequate winter range needs to be available for whatever population range is deemed appropriate.
2. Accurate information on brucellosis needs to be provided to the public.
3. Advocate the use of all nonlethal means of preserving bison, i.e. transfer to tribes for quarantine, before lethal removal.

A few specifics

• Bear Creek Council is in favor of the state bison hunt.
• Bear Creek Council is neutral on the quarantine feasibility project; we monitor it closely.

Some of our fellow bison advocates

• Bear Creek Council collaborates on bison issues with Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association; and we are on good terms with Buffalo Field Campaign.

Review the GAO Bison Report, summary here.