PORTLAND, Ore. - The key to corralling the last members of a wayward bison herd proved to be an old buffalo hide - and the curiosity it created.

The last of the 32 bison, which had been wandering and making mischief in eastern Oregon's Umatilla Indian Reservation since April, was captured Wednesday after curiosity about the hide got the best of them.

"It was surprising how effective it was at attracting the animals," said Carl Scheeler, director of the tribe's wildlife program.

Scheeler had spent the last month scrambling to catch the bison, which were released by their owner before he fled to Mexico to avoid a water quality citation.

The herd initially wandered uninhibited in the rolling hills outside Pendleton. But when it made its way onto Umatilla tribal land, members said the bison were damaging crops, tearing through fences and scaring residents. The skittish animals weigh up to a ton and can jump a six-foot fence from a standstill.

The tribe gave Scheeler, who knew nothing about bison, the job of corralling the herd. He quickly learned from other buffalo-owning tribes that the huge mammals can't be herded like cattle and are easily angered, particularly around calving time.

Scheeler borrowed an elk trap from the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department and baited it with sweet feed and salt, but the buffalo remained wary until he used the old hide as a lure.

"The young bulls ran right up and started working that hide over, knocking it and butting it around. It's obviously a strong smell attractant," Scheeler said.

All but about a dozen bison were captured Friday. The rest were caught Tuesday except for a calf that got separated from its mother as it entered the chute and escaped. The frightened calf didn't come back until Wednesday morning, when it was easily corralled after a night alone.

Now the tribes must decide what to do with the animals. Options include keeping the herd on the reservation and selling or giving it to other tribes who already raise buffalo.

ON THE NET

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla: http://www.umatilla.nsn.us/

Intertribal Bison Cooperative: http://www.intertribalbison.org/