An Idaho man who reportedly kicked a bison in Yellowstone National Park in late April was injured and arrested near the scene by Seven Mile Bridge on the park’s west side.

Clarence Yoder, of Idaho Falls, was injured after allegedly approaching within 25 yards of a bison on the afternoon of April 21. Rangers responded to the area after receiving a report of an individual who harassed a herd of bison and kicked a bison in the leg. Yoder sustained minor injuries from the encounter with the bison.

The patrol located the suspect's vehicle near the West Entrance and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone. Yoder was charged with being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself, disorderly conduct as to create or maintain a hazardous condition, approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife.

McKenna Bass, a 37-year-old from Idaho Falls, was also arrested and cited for driving under the influence, interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation and disturbing wildlife.

Rangers transported Yoder to a nearby medical facility where he was medically evaluated, treated and released from medical care. He then was transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center. Yoder and Bass appeared in court on April 22 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“At this point, these are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” the park’s public affairs office said in a news release Monday.

Each violation can result in fines up to $5,000 and six months in jail. This is the first reported incident of a visitor being injured by a bison in 2024. The last reported incident occurred last summer when a 47-year-old woman from Phoenix was gored by a bison near the Lake Lodge Cabins on the north shore of Lake Yellowstone the morning of July 17, 2023.

The female was walking with another individual in a field in front of the Lake Lodge when they saw two bison. Upon seeing them, the visitors turned to walk away from the bison. One of the bison charged and gored the woman. The woman sustained significant injuries to her chest and abdomen and was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

“When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space,” said Public Affairs Officer Morgan Warthin.

Last May a visitor thought he was assisting a bison calf separated from its mother when the herd crossed the river. The calf was later euthanized due to it being rejected after the human interference.

The park requires visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals (bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes) and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in proximity.

During mating season, from mid-July through mid-August, bison can become agitated more quickly. Use extra caution and give them additional space during this time. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.

There was only one bison attack in 2023 and three incidents in 2022.

Yellowstone’s East Gate opens Friday at 8 a.m., weather permitting.