Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

On Tuesday, February 25, the Senate Fish and Game Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 395, Sport hunting of wild buffalo as a management tool. With little debate, Senators passed the bill without amendment, completely ignoring the concerns voiced by both supporters and opponents of the bill.

While it is a good sign that we are looking into new ways of managing Yellowstone buffalo, a hunt is not the appropriate step to take at this time. There are several steps the State must take before a hunt can be considered a viable management option. First, wild buffalo must be designated as wildlife in Montana and management authority be transferred from Montana Department of Livestock (MDoL) to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP). Second, range land within Montana must be created for wild buffalo so that the species can grow to sustainable levels and truly be free-ranging wild animals. Third, Montana must recognize the federal definition of low-risk wild bison. Fourth, agreements must be reached in cooperation with federal agencies whose participation is essential for the success of any changes in the Joint Bison Management Plan (JBMP). When all of these conditions are met, then a hunt can be considered as a tool to manage bison populations in Montana.

Senate Bill 395, Sport hunting of wild buffalo, is packaged as part of a disease control program, consistent with the Joint Bison Management Plan. The stated goals of this plan are to insure free-ranging wild bison and to prevent the spread of brucellosis from bison to domestic cattle. There has never been a documented transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle in the wild. Federal standards consider most wild bison a low-risk for transmission. Montana is not at risk of losing class-free brucellosis status because of infected Yellowstone bison. In fact, last year in Idaho, a documented case of transmission from elk to cattle did not jeopardize Idaho's class-free brucellosis status. This hunting bill does nothing to insure free-ranging wild buffalo or to address Montana's concerns about brucellosis transmission. This is simply a measure to control migrations of buffalo out of Yellowstone National Park by appeasing a minority hunting interest (The Montana Wildlife Federation did not endorse this bill) and to take pressure off of the MDoL for their part in killing Yellowstone bison.

According to SB 395, the MDoL would establish the terms for when, where, and which animal would be hunted. FWP would then issue a permit. There are no provisions in SB395 to insure a "fair-chase" hunt, a condition that all of the hunting interests in support of the bill required for their approval. Concerns were also raised about the need for MDoL's involvement in a hunt. Elk carry and have transmitted brucellosis but are not under MDoL authority.

Additionally, Montana is currently obligated by federal and state law to participate in the Joint Bison Management Plan. The plan that Montana agreed to specifically excludes hunting as a management tool. Initiation of a hunt would be a violation of both state and federal law, forcing the federal agencies to withdraw their participation in the Plan. This action would lead to a lengthy court battle and would cost Montana taxpayers a small fortune. Currently, the State contributes less than $3,000 of the million plus that is spent on bison management. If Montana were to lose federal support, it would also lose federal funding. There would also be public outcry over a bison hunt that could lead to costly tourism boycotts of Montana. Tourism is Montana's second largest and fastest growing industry.

SB 395 will lead Montana down a path that we have traveled before with dire consequences; massive public outcry, costly lawsuits, high costs to taxpayers, and a big black-eye for the State. I urge you all to call your State Senators and Representatives and voice opposition to SB 395.

The phone number for the Montana Legislative Information Office is 406-444-4800. At this number you can receive information related to the session, and leave messages for legislators.

FAX numbers:
House of Representatives 406-444-1865.
Senate 406-444-4875.

Session mailing addresses:
Representative _______
MT House of Representatives
P.O. Box 200400
Helena MT 59620-0400

Senator ________
MT Senate
P.O. Box 200500
Helena MT 59620-0500

Send a message to a legislator online. There is a web form as well as links to many legislators' personal email addresses available online.

* Also, House Joint Resolution 15, the Resolution asking the federal government to expedite brucellosis elimination in bison will be heard in the Montana Senate Agriculture committee on March 10th in room 422 at 3:00 p.m. Any letters, calls, or personal testimonies would help the buffalo.