Bison could roam year-round outside Yellowstone

Bison could roam year-round in large areas adjacent to Yellowstone National Park under a proposal released Monday by Montana officials who want to further ease restrictions on the iconic, burly animals.

For decades migrating bison have been slaughtered or hazed back into the park to prevent them from passing the disease brucellosis to cattle.

The plan announced Monday would allow the animals to remain year-round in the Hebgen Basin and surrounding areas of the Gallatin National Forest. To the north, some bison would be allowed year-round in the Gardiner Basin.

The proposed changes are certain to stoke the argument.