February 8, 2019

Urgent – HB132 would prevent any restoration of wild bison

3rd and final reading before the House will be Monday, Feb. 11th
Please contact your legislators to OPPOSE HB 132

Find your Legislator  or call the Capitol Switchboard before Monday to leave a message 406-444-4800

Montana House Bill 132 would redefine public, wild bison. In effect, this seemingly innocent bill would prevent Montana from reestablishing wild bison, forever confirming the extirpation of wild bison in our state.

HB was heard in the House Agriculture committee, not the Fish, Wildlife & Parks committee. If it passes the Montana House on the 11th, it will be sent to the Senate for further deliberation.

HB132 modifies the definition of wild bison, adding that wild bison are animals that have never been in captivity. It applies to all public bison, including any that may be hunted as big game.

Currently, there are no wild bison in Montana. Inadequate and unacceptable restoration might occur if some brucellosis infected Yellowstone bison decide to stay out of the Park in the small area where they are now allowed. Any other restoration, such as on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, will require obtaining Brucella-free animals from a source population.

HB132 would disqualify virtually all bison from being a source for restoring public, wild bison in Montana. Yellowstone bison would have to endure captive quarantine before captive-transport to a new site. Almost all other bison are now in captivity. Free-roaming bison in Utah would have to be captured for expensive captive-transport to Montana.

HB132 has no basis in biology. It has no purpose other than the permanent extirpation of public, wild bison in Montana.

Seventy percent of Montana voters support restoration of public, wild bison in Montana. We urge them to stand against HB132 – in the Montana Senate, or if necessary, by requesting a veto by Governor Bullock.