| Yellowstone Bison Slaughter
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Article 2/01/05 |
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| Bill
sets aside tags for tribes if bison hunt resumes
By Scott McMillion, Bozeman Daily Chronicle
2/01/05 |
A
bill in the Montana Legislature would set aside up to
16 bison hunting licenses a year for Montana Indian tribes.
Tribal members must use "traditional" methods
of hunting, the bill says, but those methods are not defined
other than a stipulation that the methods can include
horses.
Bison "must be harvested by tribal members in accordance
with the traditional ceremonies of each tribe," says
Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Sen. Frank Smith, D-Poplar.
State agencies also would have the authority to write
bison hunting rules, Smith's bill says.
The hunting tags would be distributed free to the tribes
on the seven reservations in Montana, plus the Little
Shell Band of Chippewa, which has no reservation.
As bison become available for hunting, each tribal entity
would receive one permit. Once 16 permits have been issued
to the tribes, the state could sell hunting tags to the
general public.
Montana's bison hunting season is now in limbo. It was
set to begin in January, but Gov. Brian Schweitzer wanted
it delayed for year.
His spokeswoman said Monday that Schweitzer is committed
to having a bison hunt at some point, but has taken no
position on reserving tags for tribes.
"All things are on the table right now," Sarah
Elliott said. "I guess we'll see where the bill gets."
She said she isn't sure what is meant by "traditional"
hunting.
Smith could not be reached for further comment Monday.
The rules established last year for this year's aborted
hunt banned archery and black powder weapons. It would
have allowed only center-fire rifles that shoot bullets
with at least 150 grains.
Smith's bill had one hearing before a Senate Committee
last month, but no action has been taken on it.
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