Thursday, September 08, 2005

FWP Commission Approves Bison Hunt

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission agreed today in Billings to establish a 90-day bison hunt to open this fall and include a large area of southwestern Montana.

In January, the commission delayed the implementation of a 30-day bison hunt that was set to open near Gardiner on Jan. 15. At the time, commissioners said they wanted to ensure fair-chase circumstances, and a longer hunting season with broader hunting opportunities to include more than 28,000 acres near West Yellowstone, in addition to the area near Gardiner. The hunting areas comprise more than 460,000 acres of wildlife habitat.

For the upcoming hunt, the commission approved the sale of 25 either-sex bison licenses for use between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15, 2006; and 25 either-sex licenses for use between Jan. 16, 2006 and Feb. 15, 2006. In accordance with a new state law, a total of 16 of the licenses will be allotted to Montana’s Indian Tribes. A total of 10 licenses will be awarded to the hunters drawn for last season’s proposed hunt.

The licenses will be valid on private lands with landowner permission, and on those public lands specifically defined as bison areas outside the northern and western boundaries of Yellowstone National Park.

In 2003, Montana’s Legislature passed a law giving the FWP Commission authority to establish a bison hunt in southwestern Montana. The intent of the law is to allow Montana hunters to harvest wild, free-roaming bison under fair chase conditions and to reduce damage to private property by altering bison behavior and distribution. Officials said the proposed hunt is not expected to regulate bison populations. Population regulation will continue to be addressed through the Interagency Bison Management Plan that was approved several years ago.

Prospective hunters must apply for licenses, which will be awarded via a special drawing. A bison license will cost $75 for residents and $750 for nonresidents. Bison hunting regulations and license applications will available at noon Friday on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Printed copies of the applications and regulations will be available Friday from most FWP offices, and by Monday, Sept. 12, from most license providers. Applications are due by Sept. 30.

Public bison hunts are established in several western states, including Alaska, Arizona, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. In Montana, the last public bison hunt took place in 1990.

 

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