Bison hazing continues near West Yellowstone

Three weeks since a May 15 deadline to haze wild bison out of Montana and into Yellowstone National Park has passed, government agents are still running operations to clear bison out of the state. Officials point to the large number of bison that left the park over the winter to explain hazing continuing with less than a week before cattle begin to be grazed on ranches in the area. But others say it is a sign that the park is not yet lush enough to sustain bison and that the animals should have been left alone until later in the year. "We've had bison come out repeatedly since May 15," said state veterinarian Marty Zaluski with the Department of Livestock. "One of the things that we're coming to recognize is what a logistical challenge it is to return 600 to 700 bison back into the park in an organized and speedy, responsible manner." Starting last year, state and federal agencies have allowed more bison to cross Yellowstone's western border and graze on pasture around Hebgen Lake. The policy won praise from environmentalists and irked ranchers, but Zaluski declined to say what or whether officials will do anything different next year given the current challenges...more