CASPER, Wyo. — An Idaho man was arrested and charged with four counts related to allegedly being drunk and kicking a bison in the leg in Yellowstone National Park last week, according to a press release from the park.
Clarence Yoder, 40, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was arrested on April 21 after rangers received a report of an individual on West Entrance Road who harassed a herd of bison and kicked one in the leg. They located his vehicle, driven by a partner, near the West Entrance and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Rangers charged Yoder with:
- Being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself
- Disorderly conduct as to create or maintain a hazardous condition
- Approaching wildlife
- Disturbing wildlife
Rangers also arrested 37-year-old McKenna Bass of Idaho Falls, who drove the vehicle with Yoder. They charged her with:
- Driving under the influence
- Interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation
- Disturbing wildlife
Yoder sustained minor injuries from his encounter with the bison, according to the press release, which did not indicate what, if any, injuries the bison sustained. Rangers took him to a nearby medical facility where he was evaluated, treated and released. They then took him to the Gallatin County Detention Center in Montana.
Yoder and Bass appeared by telephone in federal court in Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick on April 22 and pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to federal court records.
They are presumed innocent unless proven or pleading guilty.
Both were released on $3,500 unsecured bonds. As a condition of their bonds, Yoder and Bass are temporarily banned from the park except for court appearances.
If convicted, each violation can result in fines of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
The incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share at this time.
This marks the first reported incident of a visitor being injured by a bison in 2024. The last one occurred on July 17, 2023, and was the only reported incident in 2023. Three incidents occurred in 2022.
Yellowstone National Park again reminds the public that wildlife are, in fact, wild and can be dangerous when approached. Give wildlife space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk or parking lot or in a developed area. Stay more than 25 yards (23 meters) away from all large animals — bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes — and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves. If necessary, turn around and go the other way to avoid wildlife, park officials said.
