Fence jumping bison now NW Minnesota's most wanted

A herd of 20 domestic bison are the target of a roundup in northwest Minnesota. After nearly two weeks on the lam in the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, all but four have been recaptured or are at rest in the local meat locker.

Dan Bergstrom, a farmer and bison rancher located north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, noticed two-thirds of his 30 head of bison were missing roughly a week and a half ago. He knew they probably jumped his five foot fence. They've done it before at various times over the last 15 years, but always stayed around and were easy to round up.

"They can jump higher than you'd think," he said. "They'll walk up, put their chin against the fence, and before you know it they're on the other side."

This time though, the herd trotted off into the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, a 42,000 acre chunk of wilderness bordering Bergstrom's land. He contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the refuge, but even with the help of game wardens, he said it took a few days just to find the bison, and by then there was a problem.

As news of the escaped herd got out, people showed up to take pictures, said Dan's wife, Natalie.

As the bison roamed around, Bergstrom noticed factions developing. Groups of a few bison split off, each led by an alpha bison. The groupings, he said, coupled with the heavily wooded area made it even harder to round up the hefty beasts.

"We had to shoot the group leaders," he said.

Without their leaders, the groups of more obedient bison were easier to corral. Five straight days chasing bison by four-wheeler is nearly at an end.

Four bison are in a local meat locker and two young calves have disappeared, likely victims of wolf attacks. Four are still hanging out by a river in the northern part of the refuge and the rest, Bergstrom said, are back at his farm.

"Hopefully we can get this wrapped up today," he said.

The Bergstroms have been very helpful and worked well with refuge staff in the recapturing project, said Wayne Brininger, assistant refuge manager.

The refuge is open to the public for visitors, but they're being warned to be careful. The remaining free bison, while farm raised, are still unpredictable animals, and the Bergstroms said it's better all around to stay away from them.

5 things you (maybe) didn't know about bison

1. An American Bison can jump almost six feet.

2. Male bison weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

3. Bison use their massive heads to push through heavy snow.

4. Bison can slow their metabolism.

5. Bison can run up to 30 miles an hour.

Bison facts from the World Wildlife Fund