Unseasonable weather pauses bison roundup

The annual bison roundup at the National Bison Range in Moiese will be postponed indefinitely, according to a press release.

Originally scheduled for Oct. 2 and Oct. 3, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cited “significant amounts of smoke, combined with Stage II fire restrictions” as influences for the decision.

Personnel at the range rely on all-terrain vehicles and horses to conduct the roundup, the FWS said. Horseshoes and ATVs could spark a fire during dry conditions.

“Protecting the health and safety of our staff, visitors, the bison, and our refuge horses is our top priority,” said Refuge Manager Jeff King.

Each year, schools take a field trip to the Range, King said, where students watch the roundup.

The public comes to the event, too, and activities are planned to engage visitors, King said.

This is the first time since 2013 that officials have decided to cancel any scheduled events, King said, adding that the government shutdown was the reason behind the cancellation.

Keeping an eye on the forecast, King mentioned that officials cannot wait too long to do the yearly roundup.

He said waiting to push back the date until snow accumulates presents “a whole other list of concerns” with horses used to guide the bison to the corral.

Once King decides to move forward with the roundup, he said that the public will be invited, but unfortunately school groups will not be scheduled due to timing conflicts.

In the meantime, King said that he’s keeping his “fingers crossed that measurable precipitation” will be received in the coming days.