Bison Hunting License Drawing Completed

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BOZEMAN—Thirty-eight Montanans were drawn from among 4,402 applicants for a license to hunt bison in Montana this winter.

In accordance with state law, a total of 16 of the licenses could be allotted to Montana’s eight Indian Tribes. Three tribes agreed to participate in the upcoming season and will be offered six licenses.

  New for this year, 96 residents and four nonresidents were placed on a cow/calf license roster. Cow/calf licenses will only be issued if a sufficient number of animals migrate into Montana from Yellowstone National Park. A total of 164 nonresidents applied for a bison license this year.

For the 2007-08 hunt, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission approved the sale of 18 either-sex bison licenses and up to 54 cow/calf licenses for use near Gardiner; and 26 either-sex bison licenses and up to 46 cow/calf licenses for use near West Yellowstone. Hunts would take place over three time periods: Nov. 15-Dec. 31; Jan. 1-22, 2008; and Jan. 23-Feb. 15, 2008.

 

Bison hunters will be required to watch an orientation DVD where all aspects of hunting bison will be discussed. This hunt is Montana’s third bison hunt in recent years. Public bison hunts are well-established in several other western states, including Alaska, Arizona, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Hunters can find out whether they drew a bison license by going to FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov under Online Services and clicking on Special Drawing Status.

Some bison that migrate into Montana carry brucellosis, a disease that can cause cows to abort, or result in premature and weakened calves, which in turn can increase operating costs and affect the ability of all Montana cattle ranchers to transport and sell their products.