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HELENA, Mont. (AP) Activists in the Montana bison controversy plan a march and rally in Helena on Monday, the day Gov. Brian Schweitzer will take the oath for a second term and the Montana Legislature will start its biennial session.

The Buffalo Field Campaign and another group, Buffalo Allies of Bozeman, call their events a March and Rally in Defense of Wild Bison in Montana. They say marchers will walk from downtown Helena to the state Capitol.

The Buffalo Field Campaign and Buffalo Allies of Bozeman are critical of Montana's policies on management of bison that enter the state from Yellowstone National Park. That management approach tied to concern about contact between bison and grazing livestock has led to the slaughter of some bison.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-03-09 1200CST | save this article / add to your favorites list