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Horse Butte Bison Intervention

Case Number # 1792

The Montana Stockgrowers Association and two other plaintiffs have filed a state court lawsuit seeking to order the capture, hazing, or slaughter of bison (also known as buffalo) by a Montana state agency in the Horse Butte area just outside the west boundary of Yellowstone National Park. In response to recent land management changes that have entirely eliminated cattle from Horse Butte, Montana has allowed more freedom of movement for bison that migrate into the Horse Butte area during the winter season.  Nevertheless, claiming a fear that bison will transmit a disease (brucellosis) to cattle, the stockgrowers and their allies are asking a Montana court to order the state to continue to capture and kill bison under a plan that was developed when cattle still grazed on the butte.   

Earthjustice has intervened in this case on behalf of conservation groups and local landowners to stop the stockgrowers from reinstating a bison slaughter.

Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Natural Resources Defense Council
Jenny Harbine
Sean Helle
Timothy Preso

Press Releases

Court Rejects Stockgrowers' Demand to Haze or Slaughter All Horse Butte Bison
Friday, May 28, 2010
Cattle conflict non-existent
Horse Butte Bison Being Hazed
Friday, May 15, 2009
Bison safety on prime spring calving grounds at stake
Horse Butte Residents Seek to Shield Bison from Stockmen Lawsuit
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Bison safety on prime spring calving grounds at stake
Yellowstone Area Landowners: Leave The Buffalo Alone
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Buffalo Field Campaign and Horse Butte landowners seek increased tolerance for bison in cattle-free zone outside western boundary of Yellowstone National Park