2021 Annual Bison Auction at Land Between the Lakes

Bison Auction at Land Between the Lakes
Closes February 27th at 6:00pm CT
Text BISON to 76278

The USDA Forest Service manages 2 herds of American Bison on the Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area in W KY & TN. All bison bloodlines originated from three sources - in 1969 from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in ND, in 1988 and 2012 from Fort Niobrara National Wildlife refuge in NE, and in 1996 from Wind Cave National Park in SD.

Due to reproduction, there's a need to remove surplus bison from herds. A public auction of surplus bison from the Elk & Bison Prairie herd located in Golden Pond, KY will begin on Feb 20 & end at 6:00pm on Feb 27. Pick up dates March 4th & 8th.

42 total bison will be sold. Each bison sold separately.

22 calves, mix of male and female, all born between 4/26/2020 and 7/17/2020
4 breeding age cows born 2009, 2009, 2010, and 2018
9 yearling heifers born 2019
6 yearling bulls born 2019
1 bull born 2018

No on-site previewing of the animals to be sold before the auction; therefore bidders are urged to use the photos and videos provided on this site along with the info provided by the seller regarding each animal's weight, age, gender, and any known histories.

This herd is owned and managed by the USDA Forest Service. This sale is being handled through our non-profit partner LBL Lakes Region Coalition. For more info click here: https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/attractions/elk-bison-prairie/

Government Official in Charge of this Bison Herd: Curtis Fowler, 270-924-2061, email: [email protected] . Contact him if you have any related questions. Leave a voice message as this is a desk phone number.

While our scales are tested by us and believed to be fairly accurate, we can not guarantee the exact weights shown at auction due to the potential for 'shrinkage' in captivity and the restlessness of the animals while on the scale. An average of the 2 weights collected on separate days from each animal February 8-12 will be used as the auction weight shown for each animal.

As this is a federal gov auction and not a venture for profit, we are very upfront about the known condition of the offering; buyers should evaluate each animal they are bidding on since they are sold as-is.

Condition of property is not warranted. If an animal is injured or falls ill after the auction but before pickup, we will notify the winning bidder to give them a chance to decide whether to receive a refund or if other arrangements need to be made.

A licensed veterinarian will test all animals for brucellosis and tuberculosis before the auction and will issue Certificates of Vet Inspection as required for interstate transport once contact is made with the winning bidders. Adult cows will receive bovine pregnancy ELISA blood tests.

Bison fall under the regulatory category with other bovid species in most US states. Some states have additional requirements.  Know what is required by your state before bidding. We will not be able to perform additional testing of any animals.

*This Auction has a horse race style finish. Every time someone bids during the last 5 minutes of the auction the clock will extend 5 more minutes until no one bids for 5 minutes. 

SmartAuctions will invoice all buyers and release the lot after payment is received. A credit/debit card will be required ONLY to verify identity, but you will not be charged for your purchases on your card UNLESS you specifically choose that option or you have not paid for your purchase within 30 days. If you pay with a card you will be charged a 5% transaction fee. If you pay by check after receiving an invoice via e-mail from SmartAuctions the 5% transaction fee is waived.