| BFC Buffalo Field Campaign
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| Voices
from the Community |
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Golden
Pen Award: Right a wrong, preserve wild bison
Billings Gazette
6/03/07 |
Patience,
not government hazing and slaughter, is what is needed to solve
the challenge of "managing" bison in Montana. Bison
typically begin calving in mid-April and are largely done by
the end of May. Brucellosis is only shed in the environment
during the pre-birthing period, essentially March through May.
The bacteria which causes the disease also breaks down in the
environment, a matter of days, once the temperatures warm up
in the spring. Thus by June 15, there will be virtually no risk
of brucellosis transmission from Montana bison. Now is no time
to lay down irrational government mandates as described in "State
vet details plans to slaughter up to 300 bison" (May 30
Gazette).
The Taylor Fork, Buffalo Horn and Porcupine drainages in the
Upper Gallatin, which frame the world renown Gallatin Wildlife
Management Area, offer real hope for sustainable and respectful
wild bison management in the future. As well, in the Upper Madison
and Upper Yellowstone valleys, we have the Wall Creek Wildlife
Management Area and the Dome Mountain Wildlife Management Area,
which frame the potential northern boundaries of a truly spectacular
opportunity for economically, politically, socially and environmentally
viable wild bison management in southwest Montana.
To think of wild Montana bison as a "park" animal
is insulting to those of us in Montana who appreciate wildlife,
wild places and our traditions of tolerance, habitat and public
hunting. There is no logic to the relentless government harassment
and slaughter of Montana bison at huge expense to tax payers.
Stop the senseless slaughter. Let the bison be.
Glenn Hockett
Bozeman |
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