Agencies Temporarily Suspend Bison Hunt in Portion of HD 385

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Department of Livestock have temporarily suspended the state’s bison hunt in the Gardiner area effective immediately today, Feb. 7, 2008.

 

The closure includes all hunting west of Eagle Creek in Hunting District 385. The remaining portion of the hunting district will remain open. The agencies expect to re-open hunting in this area beginning at legal hunting hours on Feb. 9.

 

A group of 12 bison moved into a no-tolerance zone in close proximity to domestic livestock on Feb. 7, which required hazing the animals back to an area where they are tolerated under the Interagency Bison Management Plan.

 

The closure is necessary to allow Interagency Bison Management Plan partners, as required by state statute, to move bison out of areas where the potential for contact with livestock exists.

 

The 2007-2008 bison hunt began on Nov. 15 and marks the third bison hunt in recent years. State and tribal hunters have taken 102 bison thus far. The hunt is divided into three time periods: Nov. 15-Dec. 31, Jan. 1-Jan. 22, and Jan.23-Feb 15.