Buffalo Field Campaign
Update from the Field
December 29, 2005
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New to the Issue? Check here for
background:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/issueinbrief.html
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In this issue:
* Update from the Field
* Volunteers Needed
* Important Actions to Take for the Buffalo
* Last Words
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* Update from the Field
Friends of the Buffalo,
The days between Christmas and New Years have provided a welcome
respite on the Yellowstone border. Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC)
patrols continue to rise before the sun to stand with the buffalo, and
we've been basking in the quiet time spent in their presence.
On Sunday morning, my birthday, Stephany and I woke at 5:30, ate a
hearty potato breakfast, and headed into the field. The previous
afternoon's patrol had alerted us to the location of a group of five
bulls and we made our way to them as the day dawned. A cottony
blanket of mist clung to the Madison River and Hebgen Lake, cutting
visibility to a dozen yards or so.
We decided to climb to the top of Horse Butte, hoping to lift
ourselves above the fog. We reached the top and our breath was
taken away, as much from the spectacular view as from the strenuous
climb. Up on top the day was clear, and the snow-covered peaks of the
Madison Range rose like craggy islands from the fog. We followed
the ridge for a few miles, walking in the footsteps of a bison herd
that had passed the same way a few days earlier.
The mist lifted in layers, periodically removing the mountains
and placing us in a dream-like world and blurring the shapes of nearby
trees, rock outcroppings, and one another. Then, just as
suddenly, the mist would dissolve, the sky would become blue again,
and the view would be restored. We followed in the tracks of
buffalo along the ridge and finally down, off the Butte and back into
the thick fog at the valley's bottom. As we neared the flats
below, vague forms took shape. As we drew closer these forms
crystallized into five magnificent bulls, each weighing nearly a ton
and standing six feet tall at the hump.
We found a spot of bare ground under the boughs of a large Douglas
Fir, and watched the buffalo as we snacked on peanut butter
sandwiches. With so much recent killing it was a true gift to
sit and watch, without fear, as the buffalo grazed in peace on their
native ground. Now and then two of the bulls would take a break
from grass munching to gently spar, locking horns and pushing one
another about. As we sat under our tree watching all in the
world seemed right.
It has been nearly two weeks since the last buffalo was killed and we
haven't seen hunters in quite some time. But we know at least
two Montanans have yet to fill their buffalo hunting tags, and they
are likely to do so before the first season ends on January 15.
The second season, running from January 16 to February 15, is set to
result in 25 more buffalo being needlessly killed.
At mid-day the afternoon patrol came out to take our place and we
hiked our way out along the base of the butte. On the way we
came across a stark reminder of things to come. The site of the
Horse Butte bison trap, where over the years we've witnessed the
capture and shipment to slaughter of hundreds of buffalo, had been
recently plowed by the Montana Department of Livestock. The trap
site, located on national forest lands belonging to all Americans, was
surrounded by orange-painted stakes indicating "no
trespassing."
The current so-called hunt is being touted by Montana as a first step
in allowing greater tolerance for buffalo in the state. Don't be
fooled. Last year at this time two buffalo had been killed.
Under Montana's new "tolerance" we've already seen 19 killed
this year. And the plowing of the trap site attests to the fact that
the Department of Livestock still calls the shots when it comes to
bison in Montana. The hunt is just another means of killing
buffalo. After it is over the all too familiar hazing, capturing,
slaughtering, quarantining and shooting of any bison remaining in
Montana will resume.
We are making the most of the relative peace of the Holidays.
When not out with the buffalo our volunteers and coordinators are busy
preparing for a long and difficult winter and spring.
Thanks to everyone who has been sending gear, food, supplies, and
donations. The Buffalo Field Campaign is everyone, everywhere,
who cares about the Yellowstone buffalo and takes action on their
behalf. You make it possible for us to be here with the buffalo and to
share their story with the world.
For the Buffalo,
Dan Brister
Project Director
Buffalo Field Campaign
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* Volunteers Needed!
Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working in the field
every day in defense of the last wild buffalo. BFC volunteers
stand with the buffalo from sunrise to sunset, documenting all actions
taken against them and advocating for their lasting protection.
We are the eyes and ears of the world on this issue, and we need wild
buffalo champions to join us on the front lines here in
Montana. We are currently running two camps; one in
Gardiner and one in West Yellowstone. Take a chance to surround
yourself in the majesty of Montana's wildness and help us document the
atrocious actions taken against the sacred buffalo. Take action
in person where the last migrating herd chooses to roam. Tell
their story, raise awareness, defend their right to exist in freedom
and help change the status quo. BFC provides room, board, and
gear to anyone who will stand in defense of these gentle, shaggy
giants.
For more information about becoming a BFC volunteer, please
contact Ryan at buffalo@wildrockies.org or call him at 406-646-0070,
or visit
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/volunteeringatcamp.html to
learn more. We look forward to your arrival!
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* Important Actions to Take for the Buffalo
Please be a voice for the mighty bison! Below are three
critical actions you can take that will make a huge difference for our
buffalo brothers and sisters. It is up to ourselves alone to
champion their freedom, their wildness, their right to exist and be
buffalo! Your voice DOES count, and if we don't take action, who
will? Please take a moment to rise up and advocate for the last
wild buffalo! Thank you!
1. Comment on Bison Quarantine Plan
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is accepting your
comments on their plan to quarantine wild baby buffalo. In
cooperation with USDA-Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS), FWP wants to capture, domesticate, and experiment on wild
buffalo calves and yearlings. Young buffalo will be stolen from
their mothers and raised in captivity all for the sake of scientific
experiment. In the end, the majority of the young bison will be
slaughtered. Comments are being accepted through January 13,
2006. Please visit
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/actionalerts.html
for details of the plan and the ugly realities of bison
quarantine.
You may also email Josh at bfc-advocate@wildrockies.org for more
information.
2. Continuously Apply Pressure to Governor Brian
Schweitzer
As the saying goes, "it ain't over until it's over."
Until the slaughter of America's last wild bison is over, until the
only migrating herd left in the country is free to roam unmolested,
until Montana respects buffalo as a native wildlife species, and until
livestock interests are stripped of management authority over bison,
Montana's governor must keep hearing from us all. You are
being heard, but please keep the pressure on - write, call, fax, visit
- until the buffalo roam their native lands once again.
Governor Brian Schweitzer
State Capitol, P.O. Box 200801
Helena, Montana 59620-0801
Phone: 406-444-3111
Fax: 406-444-5529
Web:
http://governor.mt.gov/contact/comments.asp
3. Write a Letter to the Editor
Did you know that many people aren't aware that wild bison still
exist in America, much less realize the tragic truth about what is
happening to them when they enter Montana's killing fields?
Government agencies are suppressing wild bison migration and are party
to bison slaughter all in an effort to appease livestock
interests.
Using scare tactics and unsound science, the government misleads the
public, attempting to make people belive that the Yellowstone bison
herd is "overpopulated" and "diseased." The
truth is, wild bison are endangered; cattle have overrun the country,
taking over the buffalo's native range, and they threaten our native
wildlife with disease and starvation. You can help get the
story of the last wild buffalo out into your community and beyond by
writing a letter to the editor of your favorite newspaper(s).
The editorial page is the most widely read section of the paper and
it's a great way to reach thousands - sometimes even millions - of
hearts and minds. Please write a letter to the editor to
help educate and empower citizens nation-wide about what's happening
to the country's last wild buffalo. Suggested national and
Montana papers to write to, including contact information and writing
tips, can be found at
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/lte.html.
Please email a copy to bfc-media@wildrockies.org.
Thank you for taking action for the country's last wild
buffalo!
Save the herd ~ spread the word!
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* Last Words
Tree of Life, for the Winter Solstice
In death we are where the fallen bison
lies, his fellows gathered--watchers, helpless helpers,
sentinel, remembering after time his bones,
as elephants do.
Grief is the teacher,
the final tree whose roots entwine our blood.
It grows at the stone of our mothers and fathers--
call them, they are within.
We did not come to life alone,
neither will we come alone to death.
Thus we are made. Only the gates narrow--
metaphor the body takes and goes its way.
~ Carol Snyder Halberstadt, BFC Supporter
Carol said that this beautiful and dark poem was inspired after
watching BFC's footage of Montana's illegitimate bison hunt.
Thank you, Carol, for your words and continued support!
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Media & Outreach
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
BFC is the only group working in the field
every day
to defend the last wild herd of buffalo in
America.
STOP THE HUNT! Call Montana Gov.
Brian Schweitzer:
Phone #: 406-444-3111
Stay informed! Get our weekly email
Updates from the Field:
Send your email address to
Stop-the-Slaughter-on@vortex.wildrockies.org
Speak Out! Contact politicians and involved
agencies today!
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/politicians.html
Write a Letter to the Editor of key
newspapers!
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/lte.html
Help the buffalo by recycling your used
cell phones & printer cartridges!
It's free and easy.
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/support/recycleprint.html.
--
--
Media & Outreach
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
BFC is the only group working in the field
every day
to defend the last wild herd of buffalo in
America.
STOP THE HUNT! Call Montana Gov.
Brian Schweitzer:
Phone #: 406-444-3111
Stay informed! Get our weekly email
Updates from the Field:
Send your email address to
Stop-the-Slaughter-on@vortex.wildrockies.org
Speak Out! Contact politicians and involved
agencies today!
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/politicians.html
Write a Letter to the Editor of key
newspapers!
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/lte.html