Should Oregon have a Bison Range
Wild herd of bison roams base of Wallowa Mountains in Oregon 2011
In Oregon’s Wallowa County, a herd of about 25 wild bison roam near Cougar Ridge, causing mixed reactions among locals. This group, which likely escaped from a ranch eight years ago, might be the only bison in North America to regain their independence. Although they hold commercial value due to the rising prices of bison meat, their remote location means they are rarely encountered. However, some residents are concerned about the potential danger these animals pose to the public, recalling past incidents between humans and bison in Yellowstone National Park. The only known issue thus far is their attraction to hay brought by visitors at Bear Wallow Campground.
An observant logger came across 13 majestic bison gracefully roaming a mountainous road between Wallowa and Elgin, close to Oregon 82. Meanwhile, a vigilant forester from R-Y Timber Inc. spotted a sight to behold – 26 bison wandering across his company’s land near Wallowa.
I hear about this herd off and on over the years and a few years back, I contacted Oregon Fish & Wildlife to learn more about the wild herd. Though I never got a reply, I [assume] they don’t know where they are at or their current condition. AAB
Biologist Pat Matthews addressed the issue of buffaloes sporadically entering and consuming hay, causing distress to ranchers. The origin of this unclaimed herd is still ambiguous despite conjectures, while the local caretaker refutes any association with the bison. Possessing a personal inventory of 240 bison, Bob Stangel mulls over acquiring the feral herd, albeit he remains skeptical of its viability.
Contrary to their size and potential, bison are not categorized as wildlife or livestock in Oregon legislation; they are perceived as private property and domesticated creatures akin to peacocks and llamas. As they encroach on public or private land without authorized grazing rights, their unowned status generates complications.
Inhabitants near Wallowa have reported occasional sightings of bison grazing in fields, yet these instances haven’t garnered substantial interest owing to the region’s low population density and pre-existing wildlife concerns. Wallowa County commissioner Susan Roberts reconsiders their classification but regards the predicament with lightheartedness as an integral aspect of residing in a frontier county.
Original Article: Oregons Wild Bison Herd
1932 Bison bison oregonus Bailey, Malheur Lake, 43° 5°N, 119°W Oregon.
Utah Herds
Conservationists aim to restore buffalo to large grasslands, despite challenges like creating extensive ecosystems and determining if they’ll roam freely. Although most bison in the US are contained, two free-ranging herds exist in Utah on public lands at the Henry Mountains and Book Cliffs. Bison aren’t fenced in these areas but are controlled by hunting pressure. If unmanaged, they could potentially roam far and wide, as proven by their distance covered after being introduced from Yellowstone in April 1941 (18 head, 15 cows and 3 bulls, all young stock.)
“We have two free-ranging bison herds that reside on public lands,” said Robinson — one in the Henry Mountains, and one in the Book Cliffs. (The bison on Antelope Island are confined there.)
There are 300-400 bison in the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah, about 260 miles from Salt Lake City, and about 400-450 in the Book Cliffs, about 120 miles northeast of the Henry Mountains. And none of them are behind fences.
Original Article: Utah’s Free Roaming Bison
Montana
A few dozen were released on the Blackfeet reservation in northwestern Montana.