No herd reduction in Bison Range roundup
Bill West, who manages the National Bison Range (left) and David Samsel try to encourage two stubborn bulls into moving into the holding pen during the range's annual roundup. Range bison can weight anywhere from 200 to 2,000 pounds. Ed Moreth for the Leader
By Ed Moreth - For the Leader
Cowboys and wranglers took to four-wheel drive vehicles as well as horseback to gather the buffalo herd at the National Bison Range in Moiese last week for the annual bison roundup. This year, for the first time in several years, officials at the Bison Range saw no need in reducing its herd, something that was usually done by transferring some of the bison to other public refuges around the country.
Several of the buffalo were moved to other refuges last year, but no public auction was held this year, said Pat Jamieson, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff member and the range's outdoor recreation planner.
A blanket of thick fog covered the National Bison Range during the two-day roundup last Tuesday and Wednesday, with the sun breaking through for only a short time late afternoon on the first day. However, Jamieson said the staff had little problem rounding up the 316 bison, primarily because they corralled the herd the week prior into a small and narrow pasture on the 18,766 acres. Forty-six calves were rounded up this year.
Vehicles and men on horseback were used to scout the herd and move them into Elk Lane before roundup day.
Each year, the Bison Range conducts the roundup in an effort to check the animals' health, brand the newborn calves, and, when needed, reduce the herd. Fish and Wildlife staff members, including 15 from in and outside Montana, weighed each buffalo, drew blood, and checked the animals' microchip, which was implanted in each animal's ear when it was a calf. Some of the microchips could not be found and new ones were placed.
The bison ranged from calves that were born last spring to a 21-year-old cow. Their weight went from a couple hundred pounds to about 2,000. Jamieson estimated they have about 350 bison on the range, which included some 80 calves born in April and May. She said that although the wranglers get the majority of the herd, there are always a few stragglers or stubborn bulls they can't get to cooperate.
Overall, however, Jamieson said the roundup went well, mostly, she added, because of the experienced staff and 31 volunteers, including several who had veterinarian expertise. The wranglers, which were comprised of Fish and Wildlife staff members only, had varied experience levels from two roundups to 19. The wranglers gathered 20 to 30 animals at a time and drove them to the cutting pen, where they were held in a corral complex and separated for their checkups. Jamieson said they had trouble with only one bison, a 12-year-old bull that the staff managed to get into the loading chute, but he wouldn't move into the secondary holding pen. They first had two bulls that wouldn't budge, but after separating the two with poles and bells, the 11-year-old moved into the next chute. It took more than 30 minutes for the men to move the second bull, and only after he charged the fence and damaged a range vehicle, which was being used to narrow the animal's space down.
Squeeze chutes held the individual animals while they were looked over. Volunteers had to use ropes to hold a bison's head in order to prevent injury to the person checking or installing the microchip. By 5 p.m. Wednesday, the roundup was done.
The herd looked in good health overall, according to Jamieson, who's been a staff member with the range for about 15 years.
"No skinny or sick looking animals," she said, although one cow was determined to be blind and was going to have to be put down.
Hundreds of spectators gathered on a public viewing ramp. Although Jamieson was unsure of how many people visited the Bison Range for the roundup, children from several schools in Sanders and Lake Counties, Kalispell, and Missoula came to watch.
The Bison Range was established in 1908; the following year, the range opened with the purchase of about 37 bison. Officials at the range today try to maintain the herd between 300 and 400, said Jamieson. She said the range peaked at around 700 bison in the 1940s and 1950s.
She said they rotate the herd to different grazing areas around the range throughout the year to help protect the Palouse prairie grass, the bison's primary diet. Jamieson said they have an elk herd of about 180 and perhaps 90 pronghorn antelope, many which are pregnant and about to give birth. They also have black bear, deer, and nearly 70 bighorn sheep.