CSKT Bison Range

CSKT Bison Range
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of CSKT Bison Range
Map showing the location of CSKT Bison Range
Map showing the location of CSKT Bison Range
Map showing the location of CSKT Bison Range
LocationLake / Sanders counties, Montana, United States
Nearest cityMissoula, MT
Coordinates47°19′30″N 114°13′33″W / 47.32500°N 114.22583°W / 47.32500; -114.22583[1]
Area18,800 acres (76 km2)
Established1908; 116 years ago (1908)
Visitorsest. 250,000 (in 2004)
Governing bodyConfederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Websitebisonrange.org

The CSKT Bison Range (BR) is a nature reserve on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana established for the conservation of American bison. Formerly called the National Bison Range, the size of the bison herd at the BR is 350 adult bison and welcomes 50–60 calves per year. Established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1908, the BR consists of approximately 18,524 acres (7,496 ha) within the Montana valley and foothill grasslands. Management of the site was transferred back to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in 2022 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after more than a century of federal management and nearly two decades of negotiations.

The BR has a visitor center, and two scenic roads that allow vehicular access to prime viewing areas. The range is approximately one hour north of Missoula, Montana, off of U.S. Highway 93 directing visitors to the entrance at Moiese, Montana, and the range headquarters.

  1. ^ "National Bison Range". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 22, 2014.