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Update from the Field
A
week ago today, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Commission (the governor-appointed body that oversees
the agency) landed two strong, fatal blows to the Yellowstone
buffalo. The Commissioners approved the hunt and, ignoring
the recommendations of their own biologists, voted to
increase the number of permits from the agency's recommendation
of 100 to a whopping 140. BFC addressed the Commission,
once again outlining our opposition to the hunt and
advocating for year-round habitat for wild bison in
Montana. Again we made the point that wild buffalo are
ecologically extinct in Montana. There's never a time
when they are allowed to be in the state without being
subjected to hazing, capture, slaughter, quarantine
or shooting. In addition to our stance of 'no habitat,
no hunt,' we called for eliminating the authorizing
role of Montana's Department of Livestock (DOL), creation
of a 'no hunt' buffer zone adjacent to Yellowstone's
boundary, an increase in permit fees that will go towards
the purchase of bison habitat, better hunter education,
and prohibition for gunning down bison at the site of
the Duck Creek bison trap, where two were killed by
gunners last year. None of these suggestions were adopted
or even discussed by the Commission. But, as Dan noted,
public meetings have become a pure theater, the government
having made up its mind from the start, soliciting comments
from the public as a mere formality.
In an attempt to limit the number of "trophy bulls"
killed by gunners, the Commission approved 95 either
sex (bulls or cow/calf) permits and 45 cow/calf only
permits. It was bad enough to watch these magnificent
bulls gunned down in front of their brothers. Now moms
and babies will be gunned down, too, by people who have
no concept of bison behavior or their current plight.
The Commission also approved re-issuing permits that
are not used. So unlike last year when some tribes opted
not to participate and those buffalo were consequently
saved, the unused permits will be given to other gunners
who will use them. Sadly, in FWP's statement to the
Commission they noted only 66 comments from the public
were received. They made note that aside from outright
opposition, all had common underlying themes: more habitat
and get the DOL out of it! Both suggestions were ignored.
If there's good news to report, it's that neither the
Commission nor the agency understands bison migration,
so although they approved an expanded hunt, the natural
movements of buffalo are going to force many hunters
to come away empty handed. Add to that the recent slaughter
of over 1,000 buffalo by the Department of Livestock
(DOL) and National Park Service (NPS) and it's very
unlikely there will be a significant out-migration while
the hunt is underway. In this way, the buffalo will
be saving themselves, at least for a time.
Worth noting for all of you across the country and around
the world, FWP Commissioner Brenden made the statement
that he could care less what people in New York think
about Montana's bison hunt. We reminded him that these
buffalo constitute America's last wild herd - they do
not belong to Montana alone and because of current policy
they are, in fact, ecologically extinct in Montana -
and that he and all the decision-makers should, indeed,
care about what people from New York, Florida, Arizona,
Wyoming, Germany, Poland, etc. think. He was reminded
that Montana is one gateway to the world's first National
Park, Yellowstone, and a lot of time and money are spent
in the state by so-called outsiders, time and money
that could be spent elsewhere.
Please remind Montana's Governor that you will continue
to spend your vacation dollars elsewhere until the buffalo
killing spree ends. Governor Brian Schweitzer, 406-444-3111.
Later that afternoon, the Commission took up the Quarantine
Phase II & III issue, a nefarious effort spearheaded
by FWP and the Animal & Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS). Totally ignoring the fact that no one
from the public supports this effort, the agency recommended
moving forward and the commission quickly approved leasing
the Slip-n-Slide Ranch, north of Gardiner for their
expanded facility. This facility, like the Corwin Springs
facility, lies within a critical migration corridor,
important for the movement of bighorn sheep, elk, mule
deer, antelope, wolves, bears, mountain lions and (eventually)
buffalo. Sound science and understanding continues to
be ignored along with public sentiment, while the agencies
go ahead with their plans regardless of anything outside
of themselves.
As to the public process, if there is a lesson here
it's that we need to take it back or re-create it. Be
a strong presence and refuse to be ignored. Submit comments,
attend public meetings, contact elected officials, question
decision-makers, and *be creative* in making your voice
heard for the last wild herd! Remember "Power to
the People?" We've still got it, we just need to
exercise it. The government would like nothing better
than for us to grow despondent and go away, and that's
exactly what we cannot and will not do. Make yourself
known, look them dead in the eye, let them know you
are watching their every move, and be a strong voice
for the mighty buffalo and all things born wild and
free!
Roam Free,
~Stephany
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* Buffalo in the Press
Bison Hunt Expanded by Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Parks Commission
BFC Press Release 8/3/06:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press0506/pressreleases0506/080306.html
Montana Nearly Triples Yellowstone Bison Hunt
Jackson Hole News (WY), Associated Press 8/4/06
http://www.jacksonholenews.com/article.php?art_id=758
Hunters Will Kill More Bison This Fall
KIFI Channel 8 (ID) 8/4/06
http://www.localnews8.com/home/3487921.html
Yes to Bison Hunt, But Take it Slow
Daily Inter Lake (MT) 8/4/06
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2006/08/04/opinion/opinion01.txt
Bison Hunt Expanded Despite Opposition
Queen City News (Helena, MT)
http://www.queencitynews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=
News&file=article&sid=5818&mode=flat&order=0&thold=0
Letter: Where Bison Roam (by BFC)
New York Sun (NY) 8/9/06
http://www.nysun.com/article/37603
* Submitted in response to an op-ed by Thomas Bray:
http://www.nysun.com/article/36287.
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* Spreading the Word to Save the Herd
Yellowstone National Park: Summer tablers needed! Contact
BFC buffalo@wildrockies.org
or 406-646-0070 if you can make it to Montana and help
us talk to visitors that come to wild buffalo country.
Help us tell the story, educate, and inspire visitors
to Yellowstone National Park. Free entrance and camping
in Yellowstone. Room and board provided. Not to mention
the company of wild buffalo!
West Coast Road Show: BFC's Mike, Jesse and Seamus travel
to the West Coast in less than two short weeks! This
is going to be a really exiting time with lots of talented,
eco-minded folks helping out. Visit our web site to
find out where you can catch up with the Buffalo Field
Campaign and Native American talents Good Shield and
John Trudell: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/roadshowswest2006.html
Southern Rockies Road Show: BFC's Josh is kicking off
the first-ever Southern Rockies Road Show! If you know
of towns or events he shouldn't miss or if you can help
set up a presentation in your own community or school,
please get in touch with him at bfc-advocate@wildrockies.org.
If you have an event, festival, or fair where you would
like to represent BFC and the buffalo, please contact
us. We will set you up with the necessary information
and materials. Contact buffalo@wildrockies.org
or call 406-646-0070. Thank you for helping to spread
the word to save the last wild herd!
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* Last Words
"Conservation is a state of harmony between men
and the land. By land is meant all of the things on,
over, or in the earth. Harmony with the land is like
harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right
hand and chop off his left."
~Aldo Leopold
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