Wildlife Conservation

Wild Bison Winter Welfare Management

Bison face welfare challenges during harsh winters in areas where migration routes to lower elevation winter range are blocked by development.

Key Facts

Bison historically migrated long distances to access lower elevation winter range
Yellowstone bison that move to lower elevations face management hazing and culling
Hazing programs use vehicles, helicopters, and rubber bullets to push bison back
Agreement on expanded bison tolerance zones outside parks is slowly progressing

Welfare Considerations

Bison subjected to management hazing during winter migration experience significant fear and physical stress from pursuit by vehicles and helicopters. Hazing that returns bison to deep snow conditions forces them into nutritional stress they were moving to escape. Expanding tolerance zones for bison outside park boundaries during winter reduces the welfare harm of hazing while allowing natural winter movement.

What You Can Do

Support expanded bison tolerance zones outside Yellowstone
Advocate for negotiated management agreements that reduce hazing requirements
Donate to organizations working on bison winter range expansion
Support brucellosis vaccination programs that reduce the justification for hazing