On Friday (01/06/06), in Gardiner, Montana, the National Park Service (NPS) was busy harassing wild buffalo, protecting livestock interests instead of the flora and fauna they are mandated by the American people to protect. Park Rangers came out on horseback, dressed in cowboy finery, just miles from the hunt zone, and forced wild buffalo off of their winter range.

On Saturday (01/07/06), BFC got a call from Mike up in Gardiner telling that he just witnessed the 18th buffalo get shot. With sadness, we also breathed a strange sigh of relief because this meant the last of the non-Indian permits for Phase I of the hunt. Since the Crow Nation and Nations of Fort Belknap pulled out of the hunt, we wrongly assumed that other tribes would follow suit and no more buffalo would be shot during this portion of the bison hunt.

On Monday (01/09/06), two BFC volunteers discovered a bull buffalo laying down in the middle of Forest Service Road 610 that runs along the Horse Butte Peninsula. They watched him for a bit, giving him room and the right of way, but when he didn't move for a while they soon found out why; The buffalo had two broken back legs. They had been snapped in half and he was clearly unable to move. BFC called the local Fish Wildlife & Parks (FWP) game warden who was a bit annoyed to have to "put some clothes on" at 9:30 a.m. on a work day and go out to deal with the situation.

On Thursday (01/12/06), without cooperation from Montana, Yellowstone National Park sent twenty-four of America's last wild buffalo to slaughter today, including twelve bulls which pose no risk of transmitting brucellosis. Another forty buffalo may be sent to slaughter facilities tomorrow with the assistance of USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Meanwhile, Department of Livestock haze buffalo until they fall through lake and a few of them drowned.

On Monday (01/16/06), the National Park Service captured ANOTHER 140 (approx) buffalo - but, none will be transported to slaughter today because the government is celebrating civil liberties. Phase II of Montana's hunt has started and already 6 bulls have been shot in Gardiner. Meanwhile, HOMELAND SECURITY is "escorting" the buffalo to slaughter and harassing BFC patrols; following folks around and watching the house up in Gardiner.