The animals were spared from a slaughter program meant to protect Montana's cattle industry from a disease carried by many buffalo.
The plan was to use the spared animals that are considered disease free to repopulate public and tribal lands across the West.
But offers to take the animals fell through or were judged insufficient, so officials said Tuesday that Turner's ranch was the best option.
Conservationists and at least one federal agency oppose the move, which still needs approval from the director of Montana's wildlife agency.
