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Exclusive Bison Hunt Footage:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/bisonhunt/bisonhuntvideo.html
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* TONIGHT--NBC Nightly News to Feature BFC Bison
Hunt Video Footage
NBC Nightly News will feature a report on the Montana
bison hunt tonight. The segment will include coverage
of BFC's efforts and BFC hunt video footage shot last
week. Check local listings for times.
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* Thanksgiving Message
There's still much to be thankful for even when one
of the things you love most in the world - the last
wild buffalo - are constantly threatened by fear, greed,
hatred and misrepresentation.
Even in the face of this challenge, or sometimes especially
in spite of it, we have much to be thankful for:
We give thanks to the 23 buffalo that saved themselves
and their race from extinction, by taking refuge in
Yellowstone's remote Pelican Valley over a century ago.
We give thanks for the generations of wild buffalo that
have come after them, that have continuously graced
this majestic landscape, strengthening their numbers.
We give thanks for the wild buffalo's endurance, persistence,
and resistance to the shallow laws of man.
We give thanks for the thoughts of regret and sadness
that may lurk in the buffalo hunter's heart after they
so easily gun down such a brave and noble giant.
We give thanks for the small hope that this regret will
shape itself into championship for the cause of the
last wild buffalo.
We give thanks for the vast tracts of prairie land that
are still wide and clear, lush and ready for wild buffalo
to again fill up the empty spaces and dance a thunder
dance upon her generous surface.
We give thanks for the true champions of the wild buffalo's
cause who have given up the life they knew before to
make defending the last wild buffalo the life they know
now.
We give thanks to these volunteers for withstanding
harsh climate and long hours, frustration and heartache,
unrelenting in their resolve to set the buffalo free.
We give thanks to their tireless effort and heartfelt
determination and commitment.
We give thanks to all of those who make it possible
for us to be here on the front lines with the buffalo.
We give thanks to our brothers and sisters who have
done this work in years past, who continue to offer
their support, strength, encouragement and inspiration.
We give thanks to wild buffalo advocates on both coasts
who bring us to their towns and cities so that the buffalo's
story can be told.
We give thanks to everyone, everywhere who give voice
to the last wild buffalo from all over Mother Earth.
We give thanks to Patagonia for keeping us warm and
dry, for helping us in so many ways, and for being such
a strong voice for the last wild buffalo.
We give thanks to Common Ground Organic Farm for growing
good food and filling up our root cellar so that we
are nourished and healthy.
We give thanks to the beautifully skilled hands that
put their hearts into magnificent creations that adorn
our tables and fill our bellies.
We give thanks to Karrie Taggart and the Horse Butte
Neighbors of Buffalo, to the Stovall Family, to barb
and to all the local advocates of the last wild buffalo
who make it easy for the buffalo and hard for their
would-be killers.
We give thanks to these special souls for their courage
to stand up and fight for what's right in their own
back yard. You are such a powerful voice!
We give thanks for the lessons the buffalo are teaching
us. Lessons about caring for one another, about being
a strong family that doesn't turn its back when one
falls down. Lessons about defying the laws of man and
standing to face their nemesis, rather than run from
them. Lessons that seemingly take too many human-lifetimes
for our lesser species to learn.
We give thanks for the wild buffalo, we honor the mighty
bison. And we give thanks for all of you who believe
in their cause and never give up on our shared vision
of wild buffalo dancing upon the ground they choose
to be on once again.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Buffalo Field Campaign
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* Update on Montana's Bison Hunt
During the first week of Montana's bison "hunt"
gunners have taken the lives of six magnificent bull
bison. They were shot down in the field after migrating
from the protective boundaries of Yellowstone National
Park, entering the killing fields of Montana.
Our volunteers in Gardiner, along Yellowstone's northern
boundary, have seen most of the killing so far. Four
bulls have been shot there; two by men and two by women.
Documenting these incidents is extremely difficult,
the desire to make the bullet miss its target is powerful;
but the importance of showing the world what this canned
hunt looks like, and the need to raise awareness of
the wild buffalo's constant struggle strangles the yearning
to interfere.
Here in West Yellowstone one bull buffalo was gunned
down at the mouth of the Duck Creek bison trap; another
was shot out on the Horse Butte peninsula. It is such
a different time now, every vehicle and every person
donned in orange are suspected buffalo killers.
Montana continues to insist that this "hunt"
is good for the buffalo. They feel that it will curb
the threat of brucellosis transmission, and also keep
the population in check. Yet, there is no real threat
of brucellosis, and there is no overpopulation of the
last wild buffalo. Montana has neglected to give the
wild buffalo cruelty-free habitat within its borders.
Montana has neglected to recognize wild buffalo as a
native wildlife species. Montana has neglected to remove
all management authority from the Department of Livestock.
Gunning down members of the last wild herd of buffalo
as they cross man-made lines unrecognized by any save
ourselves, is anything but good for the buffalo.
We did receive some encouraging news this week; the
Crow Tribe has pulled out of the hunt and turned in
their two permits. We can only hope that the other Montana
tribes realize that, like the hunters, they are being
used by the state to do their dirty work, and they will
follow suit and pull out of this canned hunt.
Nevertheless, wild buffalo respond to instinct and continue
their winter migration, unknowingly or in spite of entering
harm's way. Forty-four more bison permits have yet to
be filled. Our field patrols at both camps are working
double shifts and front lines volunteers are sorely
needed. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer may have donned
blinders and earplugs, but with your help, these can
be removed. Please keep the pressure on him.
For the latest news on the hunt, including video footage
and press releases, visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org.
Thank you for being a voice for the last wild buffalo!
---------------------------------
* Dirty Trick
As someone who advocates for the buffalo I always try
to see things from their perspective. Being in the field
witnessing these atrocities helps me understand what
kind of reactions and emotional responses to expect.
Understanding the unpredictability of buffalo it is
safe to say that this hunt comes across as a dirty trick.
The buffalo are no longer looking over their shoulders
for the DOL. With hazing operations ceased and no capturing
until spring, buffalo have begun leaving the park en
masse. The bulls toss their heads jubilantly in housing
developments and mixed herds have begun leaving the
park as well. Last year's calves, some of them only
six months old, are in the line of fire. Everyday our
proximity to them reminds us of how conditioned these
majestic animals are to human presence. Throughout the
summer they are adored by tourists in Yellowstone, and
in the winter and spring they are likewise accompanied
by BFC volunteers and locals of West Yellowstone. Humans
have been present during nearly every moment of the
buffalo's lives. Proponents of the hunt would like to
pretend that this is fair chase, they want us to believe
that it is sporting to shoot at a standing target, but
there's only one big difference between a camera and
a gun. After years of harassing, hazing, and slaughtering,
the buffalo have learned to fear the DOL, only to have
them replaced by a much more immediate danger. Anyone
can see the buffalo's joy at finally being free to wander
where they will in this little section of the Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem, maybe they imagine that their
persistence has paid off. Maybe they believe that their
sacrifices haven't been in vain. They have no idea until
it is too late, the true intentions of their enemy.
Time after time we have recognized their wonder at the
absence of the DOL, unfortunately we also must recognize
the shock of the hunt. Write to the governor; tell him
to stop his dirty tricks.
--Cody Jones, BFC Coordinator
Contact Gov. Brian Schweitzer
today!
Phone: 406-444-3111
Fax: 406-444-5529
Web: http://governor.mt.gov/contact/comments.asp
Mail: State Capitol, P.O. Box 200801, Helena, MT 59620-0801
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* New Ways to Support the Work of the BFC!
Long-time BFC supporter and creative artist Mel Kelley
has helped set up a new way for artists, crafts-people,
and anyone else to auction items to benefit our work
and keep our patrols in the field. Mel has kicked off
the new program by donating her one-of-a-kind gourd
artwork and a beautiful photographic print to benefit
the BFC.
To learn how you can auction items and support BFC or
to peruse the items already offered, please visit
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/bisonmerchandise/bisonauction.html
We also have benefit items available directly on our
web site. Mariah Blackhorse of Westwind Designs makes
beautiful buffalo-inspired earrings, hair-ties, and
bookmarks that you can buy by clicking here: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/bisonmerchandise/bisonartgifts.html
Read BFC's updated wishlist to learn what items we currently
need. Donations are tax-deductible and go directly to
our front lines work to protect the buffalo. Click here
for the current wishlist: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/wishlist.html
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* Last Words
"If to kill [a buffalo] required any special skill
or bravery or nerve... To shoot buffalo seems a mania....
Sport! when no danger is incurred and no skill required.
I see no more sport in shooting a buffalo than in shooting
an ox nor so much danger as there is hunting Texas cattle."
~ The Murder of the Buffalo, June 1872, Topeka, Kansas
newspaper, taken from "The Buffalo Book" by
David A. Dary
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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.
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