Although bison continue to be slaughtered, elk are ignored. Many people believe that bison are being killed not because of disease, but because they are perceived as a threat by the cattle industry. Sheep were once also considered a threat by the cattle industry. Largely unaware of the senseless nature of the slaughter, taxpayers are now paying to kill the animal Americans struggled to save only 100 years ago. They donated carcasses when they could not make money from selling them.
Many tribes consider the killing disrespectful and several have refused to accept the carcasses.
The effect of brucellosis on beef cattle is minor. If cattle contract the disease, they typically abort one calf, after which they tend to birth normally. Cows abort for many reasons, including eating too many pine needles. Even though a vaccine for cattle is available, Montana does not advocate mandatory vaccination of cattle against brucellosis. To protect cattle from the disease, only female calves would have to be vaccinated, once in their life.