Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

One day after the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) suffered a major loss in the court system, they took it out on the buffalo. Today 4 DOL agents using a horse, ATVs and 4 by 4 trucks and wasted untold amounts of tax payer dollars to haze one bull buffalo 6 miles back into Yellowstone Park. Their original plan was to capture the buffalo using a helicopter, but unknown complications stopped its arrival.

The bull decided its own fate by losing the DOL and ran into Yellowstone National Park for safety. In my opinion, the DOL were trying to capture the buffalo today but were once again out smarted by this wise old bull. I'm sure the DOL's press release will state that they were trying to haze the bull into the park, but when you're not proud of your work - you often don't tell the truth.

For the past two weeks DOL have been in the area and have their sights aimed on killing all buffalo that leave the park this year. Their excuse is that the park buffalo population is 4,045, and that is their justification for not bothering with tests and just killing everything. Last years population was guesstimated between 3,300 and 3,500, minus 202 killed (not counting pregnant females as two). So do ya' think that the bulls had calves as well this year to account for this large population increase? (ha ha) This over funded government agency has no background in wildlife biology or management yet wastes hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars to "manage" buffalo annually. Meanwhile Montana's Governor is making huge cuts in education, social programs and many other valuable services. I guess I'm not that surprised since our Governor doesn't have a college degree herself.

We usually don't ask for volunteers until mid November, but we are in need of anyone who would like to come out and join us. Drop us a line for details buffalo@wildrockies.org. We also are running low on funds so if you can please help with donation - it would sure help. I would also like to thank John Chalinder for donating a van.

This year is on pace to be the toughest one in our five year history, if you have ever wanted to be more involved now is the time.

With the Buffalo,
Mike Mease

Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Phone: 406-646-0070
FAX: 406-646-0071
E-mail: buffalo@wildrockies.org

A special thanks goes out to all our young elementary school allies who have been flooding DoL offices with letters! It's great to know that the DoL has personally responded to your concerns. This is what we call democracy in action. Thanks for all your efforts - Together we can make a difference!

Thanks also to all the kids who have responded with art and poetry for our newsletter contest (see kids page). The art and poems are inspirational to us and help us smile during tough times!

Information regarding the buffalo and how you can help on the BFC web site. Send an email showing your concern for the buffalo to public officials at sendmail. "Stop-the-slaughter" buffalo updates are mailed about 3-4 times/month. If you would like to receive it regular updates, go to subscribe.