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Update from the Field
Dear Buffalo Friends,
Thanks to all who wrote to the Idaho Department of Fish
& Game (IDG&F) in regards to the wild bull buffalo
that was shot by the agency after migrating from Yellowstone
to the Island Park region of Idaho. IDF&G has been
telling folks that they contacted the wrong office,
stating Idaho's Department of Agriculture (IDOA) manages
buffalo. True, IDOA manages *ranched* buffalo, but not
wild bison. Sadly, there are currently no known wild
bison in Idaho because whenever they migrate into the
state they are lethally removed. IDF&G agents shot
the wild bull bison, and so your emails have indeed
been going to the right place. Thank you for being a
voice for the buffalo!
Many of you have forwarded an email you received this
week from the Montana Cattlemen's Association. After
looking in to matters, we are fairly certain that the
MCA sent many of us this message because we had taken
action for the buffalo by contacting this organization
or the Montana Department of Livestock.
The issue that the MCA's email discusses is that of
a Draft Brucellosis Plan crafted by the Montana Department
of Livestock who is considering split-state brucellosis
status. If adopted, split-state status would create
a zone where ranchers who insist on raising livestock
in critical wildlife habitat where brucellosis is known
to occur (the Yellowstone region), would be subjected
to strict testing and quarantine requirements. Should
any brucellosis transmission occur in that region, only
ranchers within the region would be affected while the
rest of the state's ranchers would not lose their brucellosis-free
status.
There are some positive points to split-state status,
but, of course, most of these are being left out of
the livestock industry's plan. These include removing
brucellosis-susceptible cattle from the Greater Yellowstone
Region while allowing wild bison to occupy their native
range within the zone. Buffalo Field Campaign presented
this buffalo-friendly idea to Montana Governor Brian
Schweitzer when he first took office, but so far, neither
the Governor nor the cattle industry has considered
allowing wild bison any room to roam within Montana.
As it stands, the split-state status plan would only
benefit the cattle industry, while wild bison - and
now elk - would suffer continued mismanagement as guided
by the livestock industry. Split-state status unfortunately
also gives credit to the brucellosis argument, which
is being used by the government and cattle industry
as a means of controlling the land and the movements
of migrating, grass-eating wildlife. But, perhaps, if
split-state status makes it more challenging for ranchers
to raise livestock around Yellowstone they may eventually
abandon the Yellowstone region, and we could see the
doors open to wild bison.
BFC is looking at the Draft Brucellosis Plan now. The
DOL is accepting public comments on the plan until October
10. Take
a look at what the cattle industry is proposing
and watch this space for suggested talking points to
make in your comments.
For the Buffalo!
~ Buffalo Field Campaign
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* Support Buffalo Field Campaign with a Tax
Deductible Contribution
As we make preparations for our 12th season in the field
defending the wild bison, Buffalo Field Campaign faces
a funding shortfall. With the economy in such a sorry
state, we know that hard times have fallen upon people
around the country but this doesn't diminish our need
for strong support. Rising costs of fuel, food, and
equipment mean that we'll need to tighten our belts
and make fewer dollars go further.
Buffalo Field Campaign is a grassroots effort comprised
of volunteers and supporters from across the country
and around the world. Our continued existence hinges
on the support of people like you. Tax-deductible contributions
allow us to be in the field with the buffalo and to
tirelessly work in the policy arena to gain lasting
protection for America's last wild buffalo. Please send
a contribution (no cash, please) to BFC, PO Box 957,
West Yellowstone, MT 59758 or click
here to make a secure online donation today!
We are also in need of a good quality all-in-one laser
printer/scanner/photocopier. If you have access to one
and would like to donate it, please contact barb at
(406) 646-0070 or email her at buffalo@wildrockies.org.
------------------------------
* Wood Cut Weekend October 11 & 12
Volunteers have been hard at work gathering firewood
for BFC's '08-'09 field season, and now it's time to
cut and stack the cords. We need your help! Please join
BFC during the weekend of October 11 & 12 to help
us finish this critical annual project. Room and board
are provided. Bring friends and chain saws. Please RSVP
with barb at buffalo@wildrockies.org
or call 406-646-0070. Thank you for helping to keep
the camp fires burning!
------------------------------
* NEW BFC T-Shirt Designs Available!
Buffalo Field Campaign introduces a brand new t-shirt,
featuring a nice woodcut buffalo with the message "Wanted:
Room to Roam." T-shirts are $20 plus $3 shipping
and handling with all proceeds going directly towards
BFC's front lines work. Order by sending a check or
money order (no cash please) with t-shirt size to BFC,
PO Box 957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, or order
online today!
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* Last Words
"[The buffalo are] the dark force of the plains
- the living muscle of our history. Perhaps no other
animal represents so well that richness which we once
had, and which we so savagely squandered and mutilated."
~ Rick Bass, acclaimed nature writer and environmental
activist.
------------------------------
* Kill Tally
AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population
in the U.S.
2008-2009 Total: 1
2008-2009 Slaughter: 0
2008-2009 Hunt: 0
2008-2009 Quarantine: 0
2008-2009 Shot by Agents: 1
2007-2008 Total: 1,616
Total Since 2000: 3,682*
*includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts
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