On January 16, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management made the decision to cancel bison grazing permits for American Prairie on BLM land. American Prairie is still able to graze bison on their own lands. The crux of the decision is the interpretation of the wording of the Taylor Grazing Act, specifically the definition of “domestic livestock”. BLM is arguing that because American Prairie is managing the bison as a “conservation herd”, they are not eligible to be grazed on BLM land, despite the fact that American Prairie sells tags to hunters to harvest bison each year.
The ramifications of this decision could be far-reaching, and many bison producers and Tribes are rightfully concerned about the dangerous precedent being set. Colton and Jillian Jones, owners of Wild Idea Buffalo, say “This development raises serious questions about how public-land grazing decisions are being made and whether political considerations are increasingly influencing the management of bison on federally regulated grazing leases.”
“As a network committed to grassland conservation and buffalo restoration, we are concerned about any precedent in which bison grazing — particularly when tied to conservation and ecosystem restoration goals — is treated differently from other forms of livestock grazing for reasons that are not grounded in science, land health outcomes, or consistent policy application.” they continue, “We believe this moment underscores the need for transparent, science-based decision-making and clear, consistent policy regarding bison grazing on public lands.”
There was opportunity to protest until February 6, and a number of groups filed letters of protest at the BLM office in Billings. The Coalition of Large Tribes has collected a number of the letters on their site, they can be viewed here. Most of the letters take issue with the unilateral action taken by the BLM to narrow the definition of “domestic livestock.” There is real concern for the unintended negative consequences to many Tribes across the Great Plains.
COLT says in their letter, “Had the Department engaged in notice-and-comment rulemaking or any tribal consultation regarding the proposed new definitions under the Taylor Grazing Act, COLT, our member tribes, and others would have explained that bison are multi-functional in our communities—
simultaneously serving livestock, conservation, food security, and cultural roles. They cannot be pigeonholed into just one category. They are both “livestock” and “wildlife” and should count as both depending on what is required for the statute and situation.” They go on to mention that under Montana State Law, they are considered both wildlife and livestock.
In the broader sense, this decision also should make those who live and work on the prairie think about how we view and use our public lands. How do we feel that these lands are managed solely for commodities and extractive purposes? Perhaps this can open a larger conversation of how Americans want their public lands managed. Despite not being protected as “parks”, many of these spaces are large tracts of intact grasslands that remain very wild. They provide important habitat for wildlife, including a number of threatened and endangered species, as well as providing ecosystem services, such as drought and flood resistance, and carbon sequestration.
Read American Prairie’s response
Collection of protest letters
News stories
Montana Free Press: Bureau of Land Management revokes American Prairie bison leases
Daily Montanan: BLM yanks American Prairie bison grazing leases
Bozeman Chronicle: BLM wants American Prairie’s bison kicked off Montana grazing leases
Listening to America: A Struggle for the Public Commons: Buffalo, the Department of Interior & American Prairie Reserve
Cowboy State Daily: Does BLM Pulling Montana Grazing Leases For Bison Reclassify Them As Wildlife? | Cowboy State Daily
Northern Ag Network: “American Prairie Challenges BLM’s Revocation of Bison Grazing Permits”
Outdoor Life: ‘Affirmative Action for Cattle.’ Tribes Challenge Fed’s Plan to Revoke Bison-Grazing Leases on Public Land | Outdoor Life