The U.S. Forest Service plans to hold a virtual bison auction beginning this Saturday to reduce the size of bison herds in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The online auction will open for bidding on Feb. 20 and close Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. CST.
Prospective bidders can access the auction and view preliminary details regarding the age, sex, and weight of each bison to be sold by visiting http://www.bison.gesture.com/ . Bidders are urged to view the photos, videos, and information provided on the auction website as there will be no on-site previewing of the animals.
The Forest Service will sell approximately 42 bison, each separately to the highest bidder(s), including:
-14 heifer and 8 bull calves born in 2020
-4 breeding age cows born in 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2018 (3 tested are pregnant)
-9 heifers and 6 bull yearlings born in 2019
-1 bull born 2018
All animals will be tested for brucellosis and tuberculosis by a licensed veterinarian prior to the auction. Buyers are responsible for knowing import regulations of the home state and specific vaccination requirements before purchasing bison.
Due to the size and temperament of bison, closed-topped trailers or vehicles are required to
transport bison. Once bison step off the loading chute and into a buyer’s trailer, the animal
becomes the property and responsibility of the buyer.
Land Between the Lakes manages two herds of American Bison. All bison bloodlines at the recreation area originated from three sources—in 1969 from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota; in 1988 and 2012 from Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in Nebraska; and in
1996 from Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.
Those with questions may contact Curtis Fowler, wildlife technician at Land Between the Lakes, by phone: 270-924-2061 (leave a message) or email: frederick.fowler@usda.gov.

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