Montana Constitution Mandates Bison Restoration

We argue that the Montana Constitution mandates restoration of public, wild bison in our state.

There are no public, wild bison, year-round, in Montana – not by the legal definition of wild bison, nor by a biological definition of wildness. (Wild Bison and the Law)

In the Preamble of our Constitution: Montanans seek “equality of opportunity”. Thus, access to bison, for harvest, viewing or reflection, should not be unduly constrained, expensive or rare for those least able to afford the cost and time involved.

In Article IX, The legislature shall provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources. 

The legislature shall provide for the restoration of historic,scientific, cultural and recreational objects for their use and enjoyment by the people. 

The opportunity to harvest wild game animals is a heritage that shall forever be preserved to the individual citizens of the state.

Are these empty words?

Montana contains the largest, most appropriate National Wildlife Refuge for bison restoration within the native range of the species. Many recommendations to restore wild bison on the Charles M. RussellNational Wildlife Refuge have been ignored for more than a century!

Please contact Governor Steve Bullock at governor@mt.gov and FWP Director Martha Williams martha.williams@mt.gov recommending restoration of public, wild bison on the CMR National Wildlife Refuge, fulfilling a mandate of our Montana state Constitution.