ITBC Bison Surplus Program

Institutional program — your Tribe applies. Each year ITBC member Tribes apply to receive surplus live bison dispositioned from National Park Service units, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges and partner herds (The Nature Conservancy, USFS Midewin, The Wilds). Demand exceeds supply every year. Your Tribe applies through ITBC's annual spring application; the 2026 application closed July 31, 2026 and the 2027 application is expected next spring. Individual producers do not apply.

ITBC member Tribes (membership requires Tribal resolution, application, Board approval and dues).

In-kind transfer of live animals; ITBC arranges trucking via RFP.

Published amounts: In-kind: surplus live bison (no dollar amount); ITBC separately contracts trucking (2026 Bison Surplus Trucking RFP).

This is an in-kind transfer of live animals (no cash award); filed under the Discount instrument because the library vocabulary has no in-kind-livestock option.

Annual Bison Surplus Application posted on the surplus-program page each spring; 2026 round closed July 31, 2026. Questions to CeCe Big Crow, Herd Dev. Grant & Surplus Coordinator.

Deadline text on the page: The 2026 Bison Surplus Application closed on July 31st, 2026. Please visit this page next Spring for the 2027 Bison Surplus Application.