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RAC backs expanded Bitter Creek bison objective and approves once‑in‑a‑lifetime bison permits
Summary
The RAC approved increases to bison permits tied to a revised Bitter Creek objective and accepted once‑in‑a‑lifetime bison allocations, citing a plan to grow the Bitter Creek herd toward a new adult‑count objective.
The Northeast Region RAC approved the division’s bison recommendations for 2026, including raising the Bitter Creek objective and increasing permits there.
Biologists reported a Bitter Creek adult count of 153 and explained the new objective of 250 adults for that side of the herd, which supported a change from three permits in the prior year to 15 permits in the recommendation. Division staff said the objective change and permit increases are intended to grow the herd at a reasonable rate while tracking survival and distribution; they also discussed weapon‑type allocations (archery vs rifle) and cross‑border implications where bison movement touches Colorado.
The RAC moved and approved the once‑in‑a‑lifetime bison recommendations by voice vote after brief discussion; the transcript records affirmative voice votes but contains no formal numeric roll call.
RAC members and public commenters generally supported increased bison opportunity, while staff noted they will continue monitoring distribution and coordination with adjacent states as rules or definitions change.
The motion to adopt the bison recommendations was recorded as passed by voice vote; staff indicated continued monitoring of harvest and cross‑boundary dynamics would be part of implementation.
