ancestor, they would be so pleased this has occurred. finally, finally, a reversal of fortune, if you will, for the indian people. >> reporter: there are hundreds of thousands of other bison in the country, but they are bred with battle and treated as livestock, raised for their meat, bill. bill: so dan, the ranchers, they're not all happy about this. why would that be? >> reporter: no, in fact, they're almost all against it, opponents are mainly the ranchers and wheat farmers of northeastern montana, instead of viewing of bison as an icon they see them as a nuisance that breaks down fences and competes with battle for -- with cattle for prime grazing land. over the years there have been conflicts with livestock bison escaping and doing damage. we interviewed one cattleman who shot five on day on his property, causing problems with his cattle and last year they cost him $20,000. he's afraid this is just the beginning and that when conservation -- what conserve aces really want is to create a 3 1/2 million wildlife reserve with no