Vernon County, where Elmer’s buffalo roam

Farmer’s bison have gotten free numerous times

At this point, police in Vernon and Juneau counties have just about had enough of chasing Elmer’s buffalo.

Several times just in the last few months, Hillsboro, Wis., area farmer, Elmer Beechy has let dozens of his giant American Bison run free.

The latest, just last week. Vernon County officials said eight or nine got out and damaged some of his neighbors’ property – something that the Vernon County Sheriff’s Dept. finds less than amusing.

“The deputies responding to the calls are frustrated with the situation,” Vernon County deputy Nathan Campbell said, mentioning they’ve been out there several times this month already. “They don’t feel Mr. Beechy is taking care of his fence the way he should be.”

Campbell said the biggest concern is that the Beechy bison could be a danger to cars on the road. Beechy has been cited numerous times already and currently faces thousands of dollars in fines in Vernon County court.    

“All we can do is go by the law, county ordinances,” Campbell said, “and deal with it through the court system.”

Earlier this summer, 120 got out, split up into a few herds and some got as far as Sauk County before they were rounded up.