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Once the refuge was established, the American Bison Society
purchased and donated 36 animals from the Conrad estate in Kalispell,
which had obtained them from the Pablo-Allard herd located in the Mis-
sion Valley. Four more were added from Texas and Manitoba (via New
Hampshire), and all were in place on the NBR by 1910. A dozen additional
animals from Kansas, Nebraska, Yellowstone, and a Montana ranch were
incorporated into the herd between 1939 and 1984, further enhancing
its genetic health. The Range can carry about 350 animals, and they are
rotated among eight grazing units. Each fall a bison roundup is held, open
to the public. They are assessed for health issues, but there is no routine
vaccination program. Surplus animals are donated to tribes and govern-
ment organizations that want to enhance their own herds. If additional
reduction in the NBR herd is needed, animals are auctioned. For example,
in 2013, nine bison were given to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Tribes and two were given to the Blackfeet Nation. Thirty-six were sold to
private bidders, for a total of 47 animals taken that year.
The majority of the original Pablo-Allard herd was ultimately sold to the
Canadian Government over a century ago. Interestingly this is the herd
from which several bison were recently transferred to the Blackfeet tribal
lands near Browning.
The U.S. Government and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
are in discussions to place the NBR in federal trust ownership with the
Tribes. Continued bison conservation and public visitation are anticipated
if this indeed comes to fruition.
Bison calf
resting near
the loop road in
early summer
BISON UPDATE
