Alleged Yellowstone Bison Kicker Arrested After Animal Confrontation

The bison at Yellowstone National Park are a sight to behold, albeit from a distance. A recent park visitor got too close and started a fight with one of the massive animals, and learned quite a lesson in the process. 

On April 29, the National Park Service announced the arrest of 40-year-old Idaho man Clarence Yoder on a number of charges. It comes after rangers responded to a report on April 21 of an individual who harassed a herd of bison and kicked one of them in the leg. At that point, he presumably suffered minor injuries, though officials didn’t disclose how or whether it tried to gore him. Authorities later found his vehicle near the west entrance to the park. 

Yoder was charged with being public intoxication, disorderly conduct as to create or maintain a hazardous condition, approaching wildlife, and disturbing wildlife. The driver of Yoder’s vehicle, McKenna Bass, was also arrested and charged with driving under the influence, interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation, and disturbing wildlife. Both have pleaded not guilty. 

Related: Man Who Harassed Yellowstone Park Bison Is Going to Jail

It’s the first time this year that a visitor to Yellowstone National Park is injured by a bison in the park. According to the NPS, the last reported incident was in July of last year, which followed three incidents in 2022. 

With male bison weighing in at around 2,000 pounds, it’s probably best to stay out of their way—and certainly not challenge one to a fight.