LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES, KY (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to host a public auction at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area on February 1 in an effort to manage herd size.
Land Between the Lakes holds approximately one bison auction each year. The year’s auction is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CDT at the South Bison Range corral, located on the west side of the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway (TN461) and across from the Homeplace 1850 Working Farm.
Bidder registration and viewing will begin at 8 a.m. Bison purchases may be made with cash, credit card or personal check at the time of bid acceptance.
The Forest Service will sell approximately 36 bison, each separately to the highest bidder(s): including:
- 1 cow born 2008
- 2 large young bulls born 2017
- 10 yearling heifers born 2018
- 7 yearling bulls
- a mix of 16 bull and heifer calves born in 2019
Approximately 40 bison were sold at last year’s auction, with calves selling for $1,300-1,700.
An onsite veterinarian will issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection as required for interstate travel, and import permits for Tennessee will be on hand. additional services may be purchased from an on-site veterinarian.
Land Between the Lakes manages two herds of American Bison. Proceeds from the auction will be used in the conservation and care of LBL’s other bison.
“We do need to keep the herds down below a certain number so that we don’t overgraze the habitat,” said Curtis Fowler, a Wildlife Technician at Land Between the Lakes. “We also use the money to help support the program. When we sell the bison, most of that money goes back into the program to help us work on the habitat or fence repairs or whatever else comes up that we need.”
For more information about the upcoming auction, contact Curtis Fowler at 270-924-2061.