Fifteen of Harlan Manston's 75 bison were still missing on Thursday, one day after most of the herd returned to their 150-acre pasture just outside Downer, Minn.
His wife, Shirley Manston, says it's a mystery
"They couldn't find them," she said. "They're not sure if they're back in the pasture here or not. We're just waiting for someone to call to say they're here or there."
The herd escaped about 2 a.m. Monday and strayed two miles north to an abandoned gravel pit on the east side of Minnesota Highway 9.
An estimated 60 of the bison returned home about 1 p.m. Wednesday, said Harlan Manston's son, Nick, who chased the animals on a four-wheeler for three days. Several area men driving all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and pickups tried to round up the animals while Clay County Sheriff's deputies watched for highway traffic.
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The breakthrough Wednesday came when the herd followed a tractor carrying a hay bail. About 30 bison separated from the herd at one point, but helper Steve Krebs retrieved half of them by himself using an ATV, Shirley Manston said.
The Manstons gave up searching for the remaining 15 bison by midday Thursday when weather deteriorated. The Clay County Sheriff's Department was too busy controlling traffic on roads and highways to assist in search efforts, Lt. Matt Siiro said.
Bernard Fuchs, who lives close to where the herd strayed, said Thursday's missing bison are likely sheltered in the abandoned gravel pit near his home.
Fuchs said the pit is 550 acres - almost a square mile - and is heavily covered in brush and trees.
"I imagine that's where they could be. They're sheltered with trees back there," said Fuchs, who said Thursday he hadn't spoken with Harlan Manston about the herd destroying 300 feet of his barbed-wire fence on Tuesday.
The abandoned pit is suited for bison because of its range-land ground and vegetable material, said Phil Seefeldt, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer.
He said ranchers should be able to find the bison within a few days.
"There's not enough to hide them for a long period time," Seefeldt said of the pit. "It's just a matter to time before they get them out and round them up."
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Joe Whetham at (701) 241-5557
