The Park has released today their summer estimate on the Park’s bison herd.  Numbers are up - our very informal opinion would certainly agree - seems like there were more bison around this summer (amazing “bison jams” in Hayden Valley in August).  Bison in the Park are a hot button topic here in Montana - with everyone from ranchers to rabid environmentalists articulating their opinions on optimal management practices these days. 

Here’s a segement of the Park’s official press release….

Yellowstone National Park has completed the 2007 summer bison population estimate.

The summer population is estimated to be 4,700 bison.  The estimate is based on a series of aerial surveys conducted in July and August.

The late-winter population was estimated at 3,600 bison in February. The population was estimated at 3,900 bison last summer.  This increase is within the historical rates of the herd’s annual population increase during the summer. 

This summer’s population estimate remains below the peak of 4,900 bison recorded in the summer of 2005.

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