* Update from the Field
Dear Buffalo Friends,
Montana's bison hunt opened on Saturday, November 15. We are sad to report that the only buffalo that was within Montana's borders was shot and killed on opening day. State hunters took a beautiful bull near Gardiner, along Yellowstone National Park's northern boundary.
This bull was the only wild buffalo in Montana shot in the hunt to date.

Patrols are in the field every day, in both Gardiner and West Yellowstone, monitoring wild buffalo migration. Both the west and north boundary areas are without buffalo. While it this means they are safe from being hunted, the landscape feels empty without their presence.

Unseasonably warm weather has likely staunched some of the drive for bison to migrate to lower elevations. Of course, last years' slaughter took an enormous toll and their numbers are dangerously low. Fewer than 3,000 wild American bison now exist, and they are all currently within Yellowstone National Park's borders.

So, for the time being, the field is quiet. We will, of course, continue to monitor bison migration and stand with them when they enter the conflict zone of Montana. At present,this quiet time gives us the opportunity to focus more of our energy on working with the buffalo's allies to secure year-round habitat for free-living bison in Montana and throughout their historic range.

Roam Free!
~Stephany
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* Donate Today and Keep Buffalo Field Campaign in the Field
As a nonprofit organization who receives the overwhelming majority of our funding from individual donors, the strength of BFC is directly related to the ability of our supporters to give. The current economic climate has had a drastic impact on the size and amount of donations we've been receiving. This downturn in donations couldn't come at a worse time as November and December, when we make preparations for the coming winter and spring, are some of the most expensive months for Buffalo Field Campaign.

If you value our work and want to see Buffalo Field Campaign remain a strong force in both the field and on the policy front, then please make a donation today. No donation is too small and every dollar goes directly to our front lines work to bring the buffalo permanent protection.

Donate securely online or send a check or money order to: BFC/PO Box 957/ West Yellowstone, MT 59821

KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY

For the Buffalo,
Dan Brister
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* LAST CHANCE! Comment Today on Royal Teton Ranch Land Lease
Tomorrow, Friday, November 21 is the final day to submit comments on the Royal Teton Ranch (RTR) land lease. The land lease being considered is a very bad deal for wild bison, and just exacerbates the status quo of hazing, capture, test, invasive handling, and slaughter as sanctioned under the cattle industry-driven Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP).
If you haven't sent your comments in yet TAKE ACTION NOW!

Comments are due to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks tomorrow! Send yours in by 5:00 pm MST, Friday, November 21, 2008. Click here to easily and quickly send a letter to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and get background information about the land lease. Please be sure to *personalize* the draft comment letter we have provided for your convenience.

Many heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been sending in comments. You are part of the hundreds of voices being raised for the last wild buffalo! THANK YOU!
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* Last Words
"Those of our ancestors who survived the nineteenth century found sanctuary on the reservations. In 1894, the last wild buffalo herd in the United States, about 20 head, found sanctuary in Yellowstone Park. Like us, they are the last survivors."

~ Caleb Shields, Tribal Chairman of the Assiniboine and Sioux Nations, Fort Peck reservation, Montana
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* Kill Tally
AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S.
2008-2009 Total: 2
2008-2009 Slaughter: 0
2008-2009 Hunt: 1
2008-2009 Quarantine: 0
2008-2009 Shot by Agents: 1
2007-2008 Total: 1,616
Total Since 2000: 3,683*
*includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts

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