Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

West Yellowstone, MT - The last two uncaptured bull buffalo have been hiding out in the low land flats of the Madison river, just outside Yellowstone, on our national forest. These older bulls have watched 21 of their brothers be needlessly killed and 8 others be captured, tortured, shaved, painted, tagged and released in the same area they where captured. These released bulls share the sad story with the few that have escaped. After too many years of harassment these old bulls have grown wise to the ways of the Montana Department of Livestock.

On the morning of February 20 the only unmarked buffalo out of the Park with another that had gone through the capture torture process grazed along the Madison River. The 3 big bulls started their wisdom filled walk toward the Park and I had the joy of skiing along with them.

As we migrated the mile or so out of the national forest, where the buffalo prefer to graze in winter, the highway was crossed before the MDOL had the chance to wake up and start wasting taxpayer's money. After the 3 bulls made it into the almost safe Yellowstone National Park they were greeted by 9 new buffalo including 3 yearlings, some moms and younger bulls.

Although it is always nice to see them, it is sad to think of how many buffalo will die in the coming months when the herd comes out for spring. Just when I started to feel the buffalo were safe and a pleasant day lay ahead, a MDOL posse consisting of 7 or 8 snowmobiles, 6 or 7 4x4 trucks (representing 4 or 5 different law enforcement) and a MDOL HELICOPTER, showed up. All of this at taxpayers expense for buffalo that are inside Yellowstone.

The snowmobiles went up both sides of the Madison River to the Park border disturbing all in their path. Then the Helicopter flew over, scaring the buffalo back further into the park. Unhappy with not being able to kill any buffalo, the orders were given for the helicopter to fly at least 8 miles back into the Park and do a recon of all 3 drainage's (Duck Creek, Cougar Creek and the Madison River). After disturbing the entire west side of the Yellowstone ecosystem, the MDOL got in their (our) brand new 4x4 trucks, one per vehicle and journed home to Helena, Montana, 3 hours away.

Although we are once again happy for the live and well buffalo, our hearts feel empty that the buffalo still have no place to roam.

With the Buffalo,

Mike Mease