Ted Turner's Bison Offer Has Caveat

[Appaholic]

He'll hold 88 for now if he can keep most of their progeny

BILLINGS, Mont. - With 88 bison from Yellowstone National Park facing possible slaughter, billionaire Ted Turner has swept in and offered to hold the animals for five years on his sprawling Montana ranch while a new home for them is found.

But Turner, ever the shrewd businessman, won't do it for nothing. The media mogul says he will care for the bison only if he can keep up to 90 percent of their offspring.

And in the Rocky Mountain West — where wildlife is cherished both for its aesthetic value and as meat on the table — the plan is stoking a sharp debate over the role of deep-pocketed private entities in conservation.

Hunters, environmentalists and property law experts have all weighed in and most say Turner's plan sets a dangerous precedent for the commercialization of public wildlife. Others describe Turner as a responsible steward of the land with the resources needed to take care of animals that desperately need a home.

Even the urgency of the situation is open to question.

Despite warnings from Montana about possible slaughter, federal officials said earlier this month that the bison could be kept longer if needed at a quarantine compound north of the park. They have already been there for several years to make sure they are disease free.

Dennis Tilton, a rancher from nearby Livingston who worked for a year feeding the animals under government contract, said giving the animals to Turner amounted to "robbing from the public domain." He said the state should put them onto public land to establish new herds.

Since Turner first came to Montana in 1989, his ambitious conservation efforts in the state have been alternately lauded and reviled. He's shielded more than 150,000 acres from development, but in the process put several prized hunting grounds off limits to the public.

Those who want to continue hunting on his Flying D Ranch, in the Spanish Peaks foothills south of Bozeman, today must pony up $14,000 to shoot a trophy elk.

For $4,000, they can harvest a bull bison out of a herd of more than 1,000 of the animals that Turner has been building up for two decades.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34907854/ns ... vironment/

[CID1990]

Hmmm.... the offspring of 88 American bison... how many would that be over, say, 5 years?

Wonder what he'll do with them?

[Appaholic]

Hmmm.... the offspring of 88 American bison... how many would that be over, say, 5 years?

Wonder what he'll do with them?

Not sure...quick perusal of NPS data showed 52% reproduction rate, but it was from late '60's....surely there is more recent data....

[Grizalltheway]

Hmmm.... the offspring of 88 American bison... how many would that be over, say, 5 years?

Wonder what he'll do with them?

Bison burgers, bison steaks, bison chops, bison ribs....

[Appaholic]

Hmmm.... the offspring of 88 American bison... how many would that be over, say, 5 years?

Wonder what he'll do with them?

Bison burgers, bison steaks, bison chops, bison ribs....

Healthier than fish & more native than cattle....

[HI54UNI]

Feed em to the wolves.

[HI54UNI]

Hmmm.... the offspring of 88 American bison... how many would that be over, say, 5 years?

Wonder what he'll do with them?

Bison burgers, bison steaks, bison chops, bison ribs....

All very tasty choices.

[Appaholic]

Bison burgers, bison steaks, bison chops, bison ribs....

All very tasty choices.

Yes they are....just don't overcook....tendency to dry out due to low fat content...

[CID1990]

Well I went to college with Teddy Jr. and Rhett, and from what I know of them I'd say the bison burgers are a good bet.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Well I went to college with Teddy Jr. and Rhett, and from what I know of them I'd say the bison burgers are a good bet.

They've been turning the Bison into burgers & steaks for many years now. It's not just a safe bet but a sure bet. They are tasty creatures.

[bobbythekidd]

Old Teddy owns a restaurant chain that sells.....
















wait for it....






















Buffalo meat!

[bobbythekidd]

Ted's Montana Grill, a new chain of restaurants in the Atlanta area and select locations around the country, serves up burgers and steaks made of a meat not seen on most menus -- bison.

http://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/menu.html

[Grizo406]

I wouldn't mind if the Mo Club put Bison Burgers on the menu!

Slap a few slices of pepper-jack cheese on 'em, and that right there is a meal fit for a King/ICON!

Spoiler: show

MrTitelist need not apply...

[Grizo406]

Unless he's hungry...

[kalm]

I wouldn't mind if the Mo Club put Bison Burgers on the menu!

Slap a few slices of pepper-jack cheese on 'em, and that right there is a meal fit for a King/ICON!

Spoiler: show

MrTitelist need not apply...

The Montana Bar in Alberton also has tasty buffalo burgers, and the elk burgers are terrific.

Plus, there's fewer Griz fans, and griz pictures on the wall.

[Grizalltheway]

I wouldn't mind if the Mo Club put Bison Burgers on the menu!

Slap a few slices of pepper-jack cheese on 'em, and that right there is a meal fit for a King/ICON!

Spoiler: show

MrTitelist need not apply...

I'll take swiss on mine.