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Update from the Field
Dear Buffalo Friends,
Eight more buffalo have been killed since we last wrote
to you, bringing the total killed since November 15
to twenty-eight. Seven were killed near West Yellowstone
and one near Gardiner. All of the state tags for the
Gardiner area have now been filled for this first period
of the hunt, which ends on December 31.
Two of the buffalo that were killed near West Yellowstone
yesterday, right next to Highway 191 along the Madison
River, were females with calves. Patrols witnessed the
calves this morning, acting very distressed. They were
not with the near-by herd, but instead with the remains
of their mothers. They were acting frantically, making
heart-wrenching bellowing sounds, running back and forth
and coming back to the kill sites. They must feel so
incredibly lost right now. These little calves are just
six months old and still nursing. What will they do
now that their mothers have been killed? Luckily buffalo
are very family oriented so there's a chance they could
rejoin a nearby herd who will offer them at least company
and some sort of protection through the harsh winter,
but it's hard to say what the fate of these little ones
will be.
This hunt is wrong. It is not a hunt at all, but part
of Montana's wild buffalo eradication program. The hunt
doesn't replace any of the hazing, capture, slaughter
or quarantine. It is just one more way to kill wild
buffalo that migrate into Montana. After three years
of killing America's last wild buffalo in the name of
hunting, buffalo still have no year-round habitat in
Montana and livestock interests are still calling the
shots. Once the hunt is over, buffalo that didn't get
killed but remain in Montana will be subjected to aggressive
hazing, capture, slaughter and quarantine, all to serve
the economic interests of Montana's cattle industry.
The wild buffalo living in and around Yellowstone National
Park are very special animals. They are the last of
their kind in all of the United States, and fewer than
4,700 remain. While it sometimes feels that this is
a never-ending battle, we must all remember that we
are up against very powerful odds - government and industry
- but if we take our lessons from the buffalo, incorporate
into our own lives and actions their strength to persist,
resist and endure centuries of harassment, humiliation
and death, we will prevail for them. If we can save
the buffalo, we can perhaps save ourselves.
Roam Free,
~Stephany
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* A Call for Volunteers
Volunteers are standing in the cold with the buffalo
every day, from sunrise to sunset. We are running two
camps in both Gardiner and West Yellowstone, covering
a lot of ground. The buffalo's migration is keeping
us very busy monitoring this huge area, and we could
use some more volunteers to help us in the field. If
you have ever thought about joining us, now would be
a great time. BFC provides room, board, gear, and training
to all who answer the call to defend America's last
wild buffalo. If you'd like to join our amazing buffalo
family here in Montana, please contact our Volunteer
Coordinator, Stuart, for more information or to make
travel arrangements. Stuart can be reached at 406-646-0070
or by emailing him at stedrick84@aol.com.
See you on the front lines with the last wild buffalo!
Learn more about BFC volunteer opportunities at http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/volunteeringatcamp.html
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* BFC Wish List: Woolies, Mittens & Ski
Boots
Over 3,000 people have joined us on the front lines
in defense of the last wild buffalo. As you can imagine,
BFC volunteers represent a beautiful diversity of compassionate
humans and come in all varieties of shapes and sizes.
Currently we are in dire need of wool pants (sizes 38-42)
and 3-pin ski boots (sizes 12-13) that fit larger folks.
We are also in need of mittens and mitten shells, so
that field patrols don't suffer frostbite while standing
with the buffalo. If you can help us with these items
or any of the other needs posted on our Wish List, you
will be making a huge difference for our front lines
volunteers.
Any in-kind donations can be mailed to BFC, P.O. Box
957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. You can also call 406-646-0070
and ask to speak with our Gear Coordinator if you have
questions or need more information.
To view BFC's Wish List, please go to http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/wishlist.html.
Thank you for keeping us warm and dry in the field with
the last wild buffalo!
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* Colorado Ski Vacation Auction Up and Running!
Not a skier? Pass this notice along to one! Auction
ends 12/31.
BFC's second annual Crested Butte Ski Vacation is currently
being auctioned on eBay. This trip includes a week's
stay in a four bedroom (sleeps 8) condominium at the
base of the mountain, more than $800 worth of Patagonia
ski apparel, eight free lift tickets, and gift certificates
to area restaurants and stores. The total value of the
package is $6,330. Last year's trip sold for just about
half of that, one hundred percent of which went directly
to Buffalo Field Campaign's frontlines work for the
buffalo.
View the auction and place a bid by clicking on this
link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230205580723
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* They're Here! BFC Newsletters & Note Cards
Last Tuesday, after several attempts, the semi-truck
with our newsletters made it partially up our snowy
drive. Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who off-loaded
the cartons containing 85,000 newsletters!
Placing copies of newsletters in your favorite shops
or your own business is a great way for supporters to
help spread the word about the plight of the Yellowstone
buffalo and what Buffalo Field Campaign has been doing
over the past year and our future plans to protect these
animals.
If you would like copies for distribution please send
an email to me at: buffalo@wildrockies.org
or send a note to my attention at: P.O. Box 957, West
Yellowstone MT 59758-0957. Contributions to help defray
the cost of postage are most welcomed.
This week we also received our new note cards and they
are just stunning. You can view the card "Tatanka
2" by artist and long-time supporter Marian Osher
at this link on our web site: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/bisonmerchandise/bisoncards.html
The cards are ten for $15.00 and can be ordered securely
online at:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?id=1807
You can also order cards by sending a check or money
order (no cash please) to my attention at: P.O. Box
957, West Yellowstone MT 59758-0957.
barb abramo
Office Coordinator
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* Photo of the Week
With the Buffalo ~ Another day in Paradise
http://gallery.buffalofieldcampaign.org/v/photo_of_the_week/Amani_amp_Buffalo.jpg.html
Long time buffalo warrior woman, Amani, returned to
camp for some days surrounding the Winter Solstice and
got to spend some high quality time with the buffalo
during her stay. In this photo, there were buffalo in
every direction we could see and everything was right
with the world.
We look forward to your return in '08 Amani!!
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* Last Words
Staying Power
Many wish us gone;
But we go on--we go on--
Love is the answer.
--Iris Robinson
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