Land Between The Lakes to hold annual Biston Auction February 1st, 2014

Golden Pond, KY – Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area has scheduled their annual Bison Auction for Saturday, February 1st, 2014, at the South Bison Range, just south of The Homeplace on Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway in Tennessee.

The auction will begin at 9:00am. Bid packages and viewing will be available at 8:00am that morning. Approximately 39 bison will be sold at this year’s auction. Bison will be sold individually.

An approximate list of animals will include: 6 cows (born 1994-1999), 1 large young bull (born 2011), 5 yearling heifers and 12 yearling bulls (born 2012), 7 heifer calves and 8 bull calves (born 2013).

If heavy rain or snowfall prohibits an on-site auction, the auction will be moved across the road to The Homeplace picnic shelter.

Land Between The Lakes manages two herds of American Bison. Due to annual reproduction, there is a need to remove surplus bison from each herd. Thinning of the herd is necessary to sustain optimal habitat conditions and animal health.

Bison must be paid for in full on the day of the auction. All animals will be tested for TB and Brucellosis, and certified by a licensed veterinarian. Buyers have the option of vaccinating bison prior to loading by an on-site veterinarian for a small fee.

Specific details regarding the age, sex, and weight of all animals to be sold may be obtained after January 27th, by calling Curtis Fowler at 270.924.2061. A final list of sale animals will also be provided at sale time and will include weight, age, and sex for each respective bison.

Bison should be loaded by the buyers immediately following the auction. If loading or transport is not possible, purchasers may pick up their bison the following Monday. There will be a $20.00 per-animal service fee for holding bison after the sale date.

Bison may not be loaded into open-top trailers. The Forest Service will assist the buyer in loading their bison, but once bison step off the loading chute and into the buyer’s trailer, they become the property of the buyer and the Forest Service assumes no further responsibility for the animals.

Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Land Between The Lakes provides outdoor recreation, lake access, and environmental education for the public to enjoy.

Visitors are encouraged to review the official website at www.lbl.org often for Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, safety information, maps, temporary trail and road closures, and more, or call 800.LBL.7077 or 270.924.2000.

Follow LBL on Twitter @LBLScreechOwl or @LandBtwnLakes. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.