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Posted by DaveP (72.160.46.49) on 12:13:13 01/23/15
In Reply to: Here's some facts about Federal Land ownership in states. posted by F. Gump
Since day one, in the late 1800's it has been about grass, bison eat grass that cattle can eat and the ranching lobby in Montana has been very strong in its efforts to make sure that grass goes to cows, I wrote a nationally recognized article about this very subject back in 1996, the issue has not changed and the Montana Dept of Livestock has continued to make inroads to taking control of the Bison away from the park service. One of their latest movements is to try and have Bison classified as livestock, so they come under the full control of MDOL. Many of us for many years have pushed to have them classified as wildlife in the state of Montana and made some inroads a few years ago, but not enough. In Montana a non-classified animal can basically be shot on sight, no license required, but Montana FWP did start issuing Bison hunting licenses, which was a move in the right direction, by issuing licenses, they finally made a move that shows they are wildlife and not livestock. More effort is needed. Now if they have to be slaughtered, I would prefer to see them go to a group that both has a spiritual as well as a practical use for them. Bison is a historically significant aspect to the Native American Tribes.
I do hope in the future more steps will be taken to ensure their continued survival outside of Yellowstone.
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