Brucellosis is always the "oh my god" excuse we hear from Ranchers when the discussion of expanding the range of Bison is discussed.........Even though there are not any recorded incidence of Bison transmitting this "calf aborting" disease to domestic cattle..........The crazy thing is that Elk(the pride and joy of hunters) have proven to carry and transmit brucellosis to our domestic livestock......... Of course, the Ranchers and hunters never say "BOO" about reducing the Elk herd(which the Wolves would take care of naturally) if allowed to carry out their ecological services mission of "THINKING LIKE A MOUNTAIN"....Bottom line: both Ranchers/hunters and the Rancher/hunter controlled MONTANA PARKS & WILDLIFE do not want Bison to take over any existing Cattle range...........Even in the proposed translocation effort discussed in the article that follows, fences will be built to keep the bison locked in like zoo animals............PATHETIC IT ALL IS!

Bison Relocation Has Ranchers Concerned For Livestock

POWELL COUNTY

By Alyx Sacks

AVON, Mont. -- Fish Wildlife and Parks wants to move bison from Yellowstone National Park to places like the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area in West central Montana. The state is considering relocating as many 40 bison to the area, but the Spotted Dog WMA is just a few miles from ranchers and their land.

Some ranchers believe Spotted Dog is too close for comfort and they're worried about their livestock.
"Disease is definitely going to be a problem. They're bringing animals in from the last known brucellosis in the United States. That's not good for this cattle industry," Avon Rancher Brian Quigley said. Brucellosis can cause livestock to abort their young. It's been found in bison and that's what has ranchers concerned.

"Just having the bison being out in the area is going to give people a negative view on our cattle and the possibility of brucellosis being there and that is going to affect the industry huge," Avon Rancher, Reece Price explained.

FWP officials say bison that will be moved to the area have been tested and free of the disease.
Ranchers believe that's not good enough and want more assurance from the state. They're also concerned about damage the bison could do if they got out.  "Those buffalo are going to get out and cause damage, wreck fences, possibly get out on the highway, get hit by a car. It's a public safety issue," Price said.

FWP said they also share the same concern and don't want the bison getting out of the fenced area either.
"The primary purpose of that fence will be to keep bison in. If they get out there will be a specific procedure in place to take care of those bison. If we can move them back in we'll do that. If we have to immobilize them, dispatch them, tranquilize them, we'll do that. We are committed to doing that. We understand the fears," FWP Spokesman, Ron Aasheim said.

Spotted Dog WMA is one of four locations being looked at for the relocation. The other locations are Fort Peck, Fort Belnap and Mariah's River Wildlife Management Area. Once the Environmental Assessment is complete FWP said there will be opportunity for the public throughout the state to voice their concerns.
The EA should be done by the first week in September.