Bison hunt approaches near Gardiner MT | Bozeman Chronicle

[Ediacara]

Bison hunt approaches near Gardiner

By SCOTT McMILLION Chronicle Staff Writer

In a little over a month, hunters probably will start shooting bison somewhere around Gardiner.

If it happens, it will be the first time since 1990 that a private citizen has legally killed a wild bison in a Montana sport hunt.

Getting a shot at a bison is generally not difficult. It's been compared to shooting a sofa or a car. They're stolid by nature, and often tolerant of humans.

However, killing the animal isn't always easy.

More at the Bozeman Chronicle

[livvy]

1. Disgusting!

Why the hell does anyone need to shoot a bison? According to the article, they are easy to shoot, but difficult to kill with a single shot. What happens to the injured bison that aren't successfully killed? It also says the meat spoils rapidly. What a waste of a wonderful national symbol. I hope protesters do come out again. I think people should write Montana's Dept. of Wildlife if they disagree with this practice. Maybe if they get enough mail, they'll cancel. I am not a hunting advocate in any circumstances, but understand how some others might be, but I just don't see why hunting this particular animal is necessary. Just my opinion.:mad:

[hollowdweller]

2. I didn't read the article, but there's a possiblity that there are more

of them than can fit on the land they are on. If this is the case I'd just as soon see somebody kill and use them as to see them kill so much of the grass that the topsoil washes off. Buffalo can always reproduce, but once the topsoil washes away from erosion it can take hundreds of years for it to build up. We see that a lot from people who have grazing contracts with the feds overgrazing the pastures with their cattle.

[livvy]

4. I don't think numbers are an issue.

Hoppe said seven big bulls are already living in the Jardine area. Most are staying in low areas, where access with equipment and horses would be relatively simple, but a couple have been living on a mountaintop.

Doesn't sound like very many.

"We'd like to see bison eventually re-enter the realm of being managed as wildlife," FWP regional manager Pat Flowers said Thursday, adding that he wants to keep the hunt small at first.

Seems like this would be a hard goal to meet, if people are going to hunt them now.

I know that large animals like the bison can do a lot of damage to the land. And I know about erosion/topsoil issues, too.

I don't mean to come off sounding argumentative. If I am, I apologize. I just have a thing about wildlife of any kind, and wish people would leave them alone, unless there is a really good reason to interfere.
:cry: I just hate to think of the poor wooly beasts being hurt!

[sandnsea]

6. An earlier article

4,000 in the park, 100 in the Jardine area last year. Ten buffalo aren't alot, in that perspective. I suppose we could always bring them to downtown Denver, they used to live there too.

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/02/06/news/03bisonbzbigs.txt

[livvy]

7. You're right. Ten isn't a lot in a herd that size.

Still hate the thought, but I guess the loss of 10 is better if it keeps the people in the are somewhat placated. Your idea of bringing them to downtown Denver cracked me up. I got this visual of looking out of an apartment or house window and being eyeball to eyeball with one of the wooly beasts. Silly, I know, but I got a good chuckle out of it! As you can probably tell, I'm easily amused. Thanks for the link to the second article. I'm glad they donated the remains of the bison to a tribal group. Seems fitting.

[Zynx]

3. There are only ten tags being offered - limited management.

There is actually a lot of ranch-based bison hunting to be had as it is. This is just unique because of the public land aspect.

Bison meat happens to be excellent and a delicacy.

[On the Road]

5. If It's Because the Numbers are Up

this is actually good news. I love bison, and I'm glad they didn't become extinct.

[Az_lefty]

8. They have these Bison hunt tags in AZ....

you have to be drawn and can only "win" a hunt once in a lifetime. However, it's not a real hunt. You drive out to the ranch and shoot a buffalo standing in a field (whoopee). I know of no real hunter that would even consider doing something like this. Where's the hunt? Where's the challenge? This is for rank amateurs!