John McIltrot: Revoking American Prairie bison leases won’t save the cowboy

At the request of Montana’s federal delegation and Gov. Gianforte, the Bureau of Land Management recently revoked an agreement to graze bison on public lands in Montana.

The impetus of this decision is 100% political. It’s because the leaseholder is American Prairie. But the stated reason is because these bison aren’t sold at market.

On the ground, these bison are treated and managed like any other permitted production herd. And just like cattle ranchers — except Cliven Bundy, who still hasn’t paid his cattle grazing fees! — the leaseholder pays for the public grass their livestock eat, meaning bison are generating direct economic value for our public lands.