A midst scattered snowflakes, rain and sunshine, more than 40 people took advantage of the National Bison Range's open house Friday in search of bison and other wildlife.

Officials opened some of the roads that would normally be closed until the range goes to its summer hours in May. Pat Jamieson, the organization's outdoor recreation planner, said they considered opening the entire Red Sleep Mountain Drive, a 19-mile one-way road that loops around the bison range, but parts of it were still too icy and too wet to safely open it to the public. However, they opened part of Red Sleep Mountain Drive and made it a two-way road from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. She said that about 40 people stopped at the visitor's center, but there were probably a few more who didn't stop, but took the drive. “It was a good turnout for the publicity we did, so it was pretty much what I expected,” said Jamieson.

The range treated Friday's visitors to coffee, lemonade and cookies and people had the opportunity to look through historical photographs dating back to the 1930s. Jamieson said March 14 was the 105th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Though the sky was clear throughout most of the afternoon, few people got a glimpse of the more than 300 head of bison - including over 40 calves - because most were grazing in the corner acreage near Headquarters Ridge. However, a big portion of the herd was sighted along the fence line near Highway 212. And periodically, a loner could be seen wandering in other parts of the 18,776-acre refuge.

In addition, people spotted a bull elk, a black bear, several antelope, and countless white-tailed deer. Jamieson said range officials are in the process of moving the bison to a 200-acre tract along Highway 200 about a mile south of the entrance. The new piece of land was purchased about five years ago and has been cleaned up and fenced. She said this was the first time the bison have used that grazing area. In April, the herd will be moved to one of the summer pastures along Red Sleep Mountain Drive, according to Jamieson, who's been with the National Bison Range about 15 years. She said the cows will start having their new-born calves about the middle of April. About 80 calves were born last year.

The refuge is headed by Bill West, who's been with the National Bison Range for several years and took over in June 2007. The bison range commemorates its 100th anniversary May 23. Jamieson said they are planning a big celebration for the refuge birthday.

The range started with the purchase of 37 bison from Charles Conrad of Kalispell. The range tries to keep the herd between 300 to 400 head.

The Bison Range, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is located in Sanders and Lake Counties. The entrance is located in Moiese on Highway 212, four and a half miles north of Highway 200, just outside of Dixon.

The range is open year around on a limited basis, but in May, the entire refuge is opened to the public.

Each October, the range holds a bison roundup and gathers the herd at the complex corral, where they are tested for brucellosis and looked over by veterinarians. In addition, the animals born that year are branded. Jamieson said that between 50 and 70 buffalo are either auctioned off or are transferred to other sanctuaries in the United States, although last year, none were sold.

While visitors go to the National Bison Range primarily to see bison - also known as American buffalo - Jamieson said they have herds of elk, deer, and antelope, along with about 26 bighorn sheep rams, 35 ewes and 15 lambs. They also have mountain lions, coyotes and have had sightings of a wolf.

Most of western Montana was hit by heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures, but Jamieson said the bison range didn't have a heavy winter. She said the deepest snow wasn't over 10 inches. “So, the animals were at their fattest during the worst times. And now that they've used up most of their winter reserves, they can easily get to forage because it's been open and mild for a while now,” said. She added that most of the bison did well.

“We do have a report of one old bull and a cow that died,” she said, “probably more to do with age than the weather, although this is the time of year when animals are most stressed.”