State Appeals Court Blocks on Bison Transfers

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Montana will appeal a district court ruling that blocks further transfers of bison out of Yellowstone National Park.

About 60 park bison were moved to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in March over the objections of some ranchers and eastern Montana officials.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer says the state will seek a ruling from the Montana Supreme Court to overturn an order that blocks the moves.

Environmental groups also have appealed the order from Judge Ronald McKeon, who last week granted a temporary restraining order sought by plaintiffs to bar more bison relocations.

Schweitzer says fears of bison crowding out cattle or wildlife from grazing space are overstated.

Meanwhile, wildlife officials have kicked off a statewide tour to gauge public opinion on the reintroduction of wild bison to public lands.