* Update from the Field
Greetings Buffalo Friends,
Spring is in full swing this week in Yellowstone country
and we are happy to report that the buffalo are freely
roaming the thawing landscape. The group of 60 buffalo
that was on Horse Butte last week decided to head back
to the park on Saturday and spent a few days along the
Madison River just inside the boundary. As of this writing,
this group is again heading out of the Park towards
the Butte, their numbers now expanded to over 90. Besides
witnessing the buffalo wander as their instincts command,
we have been blessed with many other signs of spring.
Sandhill cranes, killdeer, osprey, white pelicans, and
other migratory birds are returning to their summer
nesting grounds. Wolves have been busy too, taking down
two elk within sight of our regular patrols.
Even though this herd has been safe inside the park,
and the adaptive management plan gives them temporary
tolerance on Horse Butte, the migration corridor remains
unsafe. If a group of more than 30 buffalo steps to
the south side of the Madison River while heading to
Horse Butte, they will be subjected to the heavy-handed
management of the DOL. While much of this area is perfectly
suitable habitat, the arbitrary nature of the management
plan denies the buffalo its use, even as a corridor.
BFC keeps a watchful eye on the buffalo and a vigilant
focus on the agencies that would disrupt and destroy
this ancient migration.
In addition to our regular field patrols, we continue
work on the policy front. On Wednesday and Thursday
BFC representatives are attending and attempting to
influence the latest round of meetings on the Interagency
Bison Management Plan in Bozeman.
As the days get longer and the buffalo wander, we observe
and ask ourselves-
Are they responding to their own instincts, or to the
fear of hazing prompted by the agencies of the IBMP?
Roam Free!
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* Mother's Day Cards in Support of Buffalo Field
Campaign
Mother's Day is a perfect time to reflect on the Earth
we intend to leave to future generations. Will we "see
beyond our own time" to ensure that wild bison
roam free? That our children's children will have the
chance to marvel at these magnificent wild creatures?
This is what Buffalo Field Campaign works for, with
your generous support. We will send a beautiful card
to the person of your choice. This year, our popular
Mother's Day card features a hand-drawn (and reproduced)
original copied from a smaller, accompanying photo of
mom and baby in Yellowstone. Our card is appropriate
for all the nurturing relationships you'd like to honor
with a gift to BFC.
The deadline for orders is April 22, 2009. A minimum
donation of $15 is requested for each card you would
like us to send.
For more information, and to order, click
here or send a check or money order (no cash, please)
to: BFC / PO Box 957 / West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Thank You!
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* Last Words
"The Buffalo are coming back."
--The wind in the leaves and needles
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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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