West Yellowstone, MT- The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) hazed more than 30 bison today in an unsuccessful attempt to chase the animals into Yellowstone National Park. In a rash of separate hazing operations, DOL agents fired cracker barrel rounds from snowmobiles and four-wheeled ATVs as they pursued the bison. A lone bull who has been grazing near the Duck Creek capture facility since December was subjected to his second hazing operation in three weeks.

DOL agents on snowmobiles chased the bull a few hundred yards into Yellowstone, committing multiple violations of park closures. This area of the park is closed to all human use at present to protect sensitive grizzly bear habitat, and is closed at all times to motorized use.

Fresh grizzly tracks were observed in the immediate area as recently as Tuesday. BFC volunteer Alan Ramos was arrested this afternoon on two counts of obstruction for attempting to slow approaching vehicles as the DOL hazed 30 bison along Highway 191 toward the Duck Creek trap.

The agents made no attempt to warn oncoming traffic. BFC video footage documenting the arrest was confiscated by Gallatin County Sheriff's Deputy Rob Burns. Ramos was released on $340 bail. "Today's events are further proof of the futility of hazing as a management tool," said Emily Kodama, a volunteer with the field campaign.

A week ago the DOL hazed 14 buffalo back into Yellowstone, yet today there are nearly three times that number outside the park. Marcus Baker, who was present during the operation, further observed, "When they started hazing this morning there were eight bison outside the park. Now, after the operation, there are more than 40. It makes you wonder about the effectiveness of their operations."

It appeared the DOL intended to haze the bison into the Duck Creek trap, despite recent assurances from Rob Tierney, DOL's director of bison management, that this season's actions would be restricted to hazing only. Tierney's actions are the latest in a series of official misrepresentations of the state's buffalo management policies.

At the Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Big Sky on Tuesday, Montana's Lt. Governor Judy Martz made the blatantly false statement that, "Montana has not shot or put down a buffalo in 2 years. We do not like to put down these majestic animals...but in fact we cannot let them destroy our number one industry (the livestock industry)." In fact, 96 buffalo were killed by the state of Montana last winter alone. Martz is the Republican front-runner for Governor Racicot's position.

Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers defend the buffalo on their traditional habitat and advocate for their protection. BFC is the only group working in the field every day to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild buffalo.

Video and Still Photos Available Upon Request

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