Idaho man charged with harassing wildlife after kicking Yellowstone bison

An Idaho Falls man was arrested last week and charged with disturbing wildlife after he allegedly kicked a bison in the leg after drinking at Yellowstone National Park and harassed the rest of the herd, getting himself injured in the process, according to park officials.

Clarence Yoder, 40, is accused of harassing the bison near the west entrance of the park on April 21, leading to charges of being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself, disorderly conduct, approaching wildlife, and disturbing wildlife, according to a spokesperson for Yellowstone National Park.

Park officials said it was the first time a bison has injured a park visitor this year. Last year, a Phoenix woman was gored by a bison, the only incident reported last year, though it was unclear how far away she was before the bison charged. In 2022, there were two visitors injured by bison.

After other park-goers reported that Yoder had kicked a bison, rangers spotted the car he was in in West Yellowstone and arrested him. Rangers also cited the vehicle’s driver, 37-year-old McKenna Bass, of Idaho Falls, for driving under the influence, interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation, and disturbing wildlife.

Yoder, who received minor injuries from the bison, was taken to a medical facility, treated, and then taken to the Gallatin County Detention Center.

Yoder and Bass pleaded not guilty to the charges last Monday. They face up to six months in jail for each charge. Park officials said the incident remains under investigation.

Park visitors must stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals in the park – including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes – and have to stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves.