Will Billy The Bison Make It Home For The Holidays?

WAUCONDA, IL — The elusive bison that has been spotted in suburbs throughout Lake and McHenry counties may be headed home for the holidays.

The 800-pound bison, which has been referred to as Billy and Tyson by her fans on social media, was recently spotted about an eighth of a mile from the Milk & Honey Farmstead in Wauconda, co-owner Scott Comstock of Milk & Honey Farmstead told the Chicago Tribune. Comstock believes the bison is being drawn back to the farm because she misses his sister.

The bison has been wandering the area since she escaped in September.

"It happened when we were unloading the bison at the farm and she got away," Comstock told Patch earlier this month. "She went through a big swamp area, and I met up with her on the other side. And then she looked at me and started walking toward [Route] 176. I followed her and she just looked at me and said, 'See ya.'"

Most recently, her presence in Cary has had people talking. Photos of the bison walking alongside roadways and spotted in backyards have been posted on the Cary-Grove Chat Facebook page. Before that, Island Lake police shared a dash cam video of her crossing a roadway, urging drivers to stay vigilant so they don't hit the bison.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting the bison has been spotted as far as 12 miles away from her farm. She's turned heads of motorists as she darted down Route 176 during rush hour and been on both sides of the Fox River.

Comstock is using the public not to chase the bison. He said the bison is docile but could become aggressive if she feels threatened. If she's spotted out in public, it's because she wants to be seen. Bison are herd animals, and she's likely lonely.

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"People should keep their distance and not chase her around," Comstock told Patch in early December. "Don't get too close to her, she's just doing her thing."

Milk & Honey Farmstead plans to use the bison for educational purposes; the farm hosts educational programs for children from the city, Comstock said. At some point, the bison will be used for breeding, but the farmstead has no plans of slaughtering the animal.

As for capturing her, Comstock is now waiting for the first snowfall, since it will be easier to track her footprints in the snow. From there, the hope is to lure her into a barn or building and close the door before returning her to the farm.

Comstock told the Chicago Tribune a man with a dog has been helping track Billy's whereabouts.

"Our hope is that we are able to bring her in without having her hurt or hurting anyone else," Comstock said in recent weeks.