Eastern Shoshone Tribe accuses feds of shooting coyotes near bison herd

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe has accused the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services of shooting coyotes from a helicopter near a bison herd without tribal permission, according to reporting by Cowboy State Daily. The tribe said the incident occurred on March 13 near Pavillion, Wyoming, when a helicopter was observed flying over tribal land, with gunfire confirmed in video footage. The tribe claims it did not authorize the operation, which it says undermines its sovereignty and efforts to reintegrate buffalo to the area. In response, USDA Wildlife Services denied discharging firearms near the bison, calling the tribe’s statement “misinformation.” The agency also stated it respects tribal sovereignty. Tribe officials remain open to future collaboration but expect respect for their authority.