Just wondering if others have had the same experience lately visiting Yellowstone...

I remember when I was a kid and would visit Yellowstone we would see so many Bison (Buffalo) that it was rediculous.

I've been a couple times this year to the park and have seen way less. In fact one trip I only came across 2 lonely Bison after driving for 5 hours straight!

Now I know that they migrate to different areas of the park at different times of year but this seems a little drastic.

Anybody else have a similiar experience?

 

last summer we saw so many between fishing bridge and the canyon of the yellowstone. we had to wait 45 minutes one afternoon to allow all of the to cross the road.

 

I haven't been there in almost 3 years, but in the 5 times I've been thru the park, either in the summer or on sleds, there was no shortage of bison.
Last trip was a winter trip in Jan 03 and there were buffalo a' plenty.

 

I've seen tons of them. The park is about 89 miles from the house.

 

Mont. permits for Yellowstone bison to triple
By Susan Gallagher
Associated Press — Aug. 4, 2006


Ranchers, and the state of Montana, fear that bison wandering from Yellowstone will spread brucellosis to cattle.MISSOULA, Mont. — The number of licenses to hunt bison that wander into Montana from Yellowstone National Park this winter will almost triple from last season, state wildlife commissioners decided Thursday.

In June, the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission endorsed a tentative plan to authorize 100 licenses, double last season's number. On Thursday they added another 40.

The increase will focus on bison cows, making the hunt more of a herd management tool "rather than just tipping them over for trophies," Commissioner Shane Colton said.

Activists opposed to any hunting of Yellowstone bison said the commission's decision to boost the number of licenses simply worsens a bad idea.

"If you want a public relations nightmare, I think you're moving in the right direction," said Dan Brister of the Buffalo Field Campaign.

The state considers the hunt part of a plan to manage bison that migrate from Yellowstone and may carry the cattle disease brucellosis, which is present in Yellowstone's bison herds.

Some ranchers fear wandering bison will spread the disease to cattle in Montana, where it has been eradicated.

Beyond the hunt, a state-federal management plan allows for bison that stray to be hazed back into the park, or captured and in some cases shipped to slaughter. Hundreds have been sent to slaughter this year.

In March, Yellowstone officials estimated the park's bison herd at 3,500 animals. In the bison management plan, 3,000 is the target population size.

 

Most of the bison heards tend to be in the Hayden Valley, wihich is pretty good sized and can't be seen entirely from the road. A few years back there was road construction through the valley, which for some odd reason, sure attracted the buffalo. They're there now, you just can't see them.

 

When we were there 2 yrs ago, same thing as mentioned by other. We saw tons of them.

 

Ya your mistaking Bison for Elk thanks to another species.

 

You can say that again. We have watched the wolf population clear an entire drainage in a matter of months. We've gone 2 days on horseback without cutting a single track other than that of wolves. Sad days ahead unless they open season on them. Some have been spotted in the valley now on the river bottoms at the foothills praying on whitetails not far from the house.

 

Yep all because some retard in Wash wanted a true nature exsperiance well congrats the elk heards are desimanted all the outfitters are out of business. Hope you enjoy that accosional howl at night. They are now in Utah also. I am from Id originally amd spend alot of time in Big Sky / Billings, I have hunted there for years and always saw elk, last year 0 elk 7 wolves.

 

I didn't even hunt last year. I'm fairly disgusted with the whole thing. I live in the Gallatin Valley and am 4th generation here. My boys don't have a lot to look forward to I'm afraid unless they start issuing tags for wolves and then I'll dust off my 300 ultra. I didn't even put in for the "super tag" this year let alone any late hunt either sex tags. What a joke.

 

Have you heard of the S's

 

Don't follow ya.

 

Shoot Shovel Shut up

 

I spent some time in Yukon Territory in 1998 and there was a herd of Bison between Whitehorse and Haines Junction. I believe there were about 40 and they had been relocated from somewhere south. They were doing OK at that time and I wonder if they are still there. Anybody have any recent info?