Montana Wants to Increase Bison Hunt

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials want to let state-licensed hunters take more bison that migrate from Yellowstone National Park. State wildlife commissioners on Thursday will hold an initial vote on a plan to increase future bison quotas and allow hunting in new areas.

The proposal comes after members of Indian tribes acting under treaty rights took the vast majority of the 744 bison shot by hunters over the last decade. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim says the agency wants comparable opportunities for state-licensed hunters.

The maximum annual quota on Yellowstone bison would increase from 150 to 200 animals. Hunting would be newly allowed in areas south and west of Hebgen Lake. Aasheim says the plan is contingent on an environmental study now underway.