West Yellowstone, MT- Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) unsuccessfully hazed 8 bull bison along the Madison river this morning. DOL was assisted by a dozen law enforcement officers from the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Gallatin County Sheriff's office, and Montana State Highway Patrol.

The operation began an hour after sunrise and continued throughout the morning as agents on snowmobiles chased and harassed the bulls. The bison were able to elude the snowmobiles on several occasions and DOL left the area after losing them in the trees along the river. DOL agents attempted to haze and capture 10 bull bison in the Yellowstone Village subdivision near Horse Butte in the afternoon.

Landowners in the area have filed police reports claiming that DOL trespassed on their property during the operation. DOL failed to get landowner permission before conducting the operation. Landowner Ann Stovall said, "DOL has no business being down here. They run the bison through fencing, damage property and disturb our animals."

In the first haze and capture operation under the new Yellowstone Bison Management plan, DOL showed blatant disregard for private property rights and for the welfare of wildlife that winter along the Madison river. The operation along the river was stressful for bald eagles, elk, moose and waterfowl that need undisturbed habitat to survive the long, harsh winter.

Because bulls cannot transmit brucellosis, they are considered "low risk" and their presence in the state will not jeopardize Montana's brucellosis-free status.

Buffalo Field Campaign contends that the hazing operations are illegal because they violate the requirements set forth in the Annual Operating Plan about pre-monitoring for bald eagles, and has filed a 60 day Notice of Intent to Sue.

The Annual Operating Plan's bald eagle monitoring plan and buffalo hazing requirements must be the same or similar to what's contained in the Biological Assessment. By waiving pre-monitoring for bald eagles they've illegally skirted the non discretionary and mandatory terms and conditions set forth in the Biological and Environmental Assessment.

The Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working in the field, everyday, to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild buffalo. Volunteers defend buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. Our daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose to be on, and document every action taken against them.

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