National Bison Range remains closed
Two bull elk roam the National Bison Range. (Scott Shindledecker/Valley Press)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service temporarily suspended public visitation and use at the National Bison Range April 9 and there is no word on when it may reopen.
Despite various Montana shelter-in-place orders being lifted April 27, the Service said in an April 30 Facebook post it followed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommendations from state and local public health officials to keep the Range closed.
According to information from the Service, the suspension of operations is to ensure the health and safety of its visitors and employees in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the large increase in visitation experienced at the refuge in recent days that it said prevented effective social distancing.
The statement also said the decision to temporarily close the refuge to public was supported by Lake County, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and the Governor of Montana.
Some refuge staff remained to work there “in order to ensure quality care for the bison and our facilities.”
Public reaction was mixed on social media. Some felt the closure was unnecessary while others were thankful for the decision.
The summer season, when Red Sleep Mountain Drive opens, normally begins Monday, May 11. But it remains to be seen if it will happen then.
Some commenting on the Service’s Facebook post about the closure made comments regarding people gathering in the picnic area and even camping there.
Calls to the Refuge manager weren’t immediately returned.
Service officials said the health and safety of visitors and employees at the National Bison Range is its No. 1 priority. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with federal, state and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. A reopening date has not been determined at this time. We will notify the public when we reopen and will provide updates on our website and social media channels.
Updates about the Service’s response to coronavirus will posted at https://www.fws.gov/home/public-health-update.html.
People are asked to check the refuge website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range/, and their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NationalBisonRange/, for updates and additional information.