Slow hunting season for Yellowstone bison

Officials say mild weather and a lack of snowfall have allowed bison to largely stay inside Yellowstone National Park, resulting in only a few of the animals being hunted so far this winter.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the hunting season managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks closes next week while the season has already ended for hunters licensed through the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Some tribe-managed hunting seasons will run through the end of the month or into March.

Tom McDonald, wildlife manager for Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, says hunters harvested two bison early in the season near West Yellowstone, Montana.

Bison managers have agreed to allow hunting and capturing for slaughter between 600 and 900 bison that leave the park this year.