Bison handling, separating, processing... what ever you want to call it, is always a very stressful time for the animals, not to mention for the “handlers.”

To bison, everything and everyone is considered a potential threat from a predator, whether that threat is minor or severe does not matter to the bison.  They can encounter forced crowding, load noises, mothers and calves being separated and the ensuing panic, the smell of blood from other bison grazed by crashing into gates or fences.  There is the shock of dehorning
and this can lead to at the least a very dangerous situation with potential for severe injury if not death from goring, broken ribs or (less common now) capture myopsy. But unfortunately this procedure is necessary for weaning and/or sorting and testing requirements of the Federal Captive Ungulate Policy.

Fortunately with training of handlers, a good flow-through system and patience, the stress can be minimized and the experience for the bison can be made less traumatic. This is important because the more stressful each handling experiences is for the bison, the harder each successive handling will be.

The handlers should know or be councelled on the following:

• Keep noise level (all sounds, both voices and gate closing etc.) to the absolute minimum.
• Try to move gently: use as slow and quiet a movement as possible in order to avoid startling the bison.
• Do not prod the animal with canes or sticks, this only sets up a defensive situation with retaliation and/or balking.
• The use of electric prods should be restricted only to the most stubborn cases and then only as a last resort.
• Use gestures, voice commands or flags on poles to move animals instead.
• Keep unnecessary people out of sight (especially when they are much taller than the animals) as much as possible and use the minimum number of handlers required.