Update from the Field - BFC May 25, '06

*Buffalo Field Campaign
Update from the Field
May 25, 2006

After the DOL's aggressive hazing operations throughout May,
Montana's landscape has been haunted. It seemed nothing was left of
the buffalo but the sign they had been there, and our memory of their
powerful, gentle presence. But the woods around here get pretty
thick and buffalo are very good at making themselves invisible when
they need to. Being nomadic and strong willed, they also will go
where and do what they want; the agents hadn't gotten them all.
Unfortunately, those that managed to escape the DOL's wrath were
eventually found.

On Tuesday, the DOL first buzzed out on ATVs to haze a group of five
bulls off a large field near Fir Ridge, less than a mile from
Yellowstone National Park. They ran the bulls to the edge of the
Park, that line on the landscape that dictates their fate. The
livestock inspectors then joined up with agents from the National
Park Service (NPS), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and
Gallatin County law enforcement, loaded horses on trailers and headed
to Horse Butte, where they found no buffalo. From from the Butte,
the agents spotted a group of about twenty moms, babies, yearlings
and young bulls along the south side of the Madison River. This
small family group had managed to use the forest to their advantage,
eluding the DOL's helicopter and horses for the past couple of weeks.
But their peace would soon be broken.

Two DOL agents arrived first in their truck. They were in a foul
mood. While waiting for the horses and backup law enforcement to
arrive, the agents tried to haze the buffalo on foot, yelling at
them, throwing up their arms and throwing sand and rocks. They also
harassed us, shouting orders for us to return to our car, attempting
to prevent BFC from documenting their actions. Though they
threatened us with arrest, they would not prevent us from bearing
witness for the buffalo. Three horses and riders soon arrived; the
agents mounted, law enforcement was in place, and the haze began.

This wily group of buffalo had eluded the agents a few times before,
and they made it a challenge for the agents to kick them off their
land. For the agents, it was a couple hours of confusion and mayhem
within the thick woods. Eventually, the horsemen ran the buffalo
family across highway 191 and - without warning - right through
Gallatin National Forest's Baker's Hole Campground, where dozens of
people were spending vacation days, soaking up Montana's beauty.
Unconcerned for the safety of the campers, the horsemen hazed the
buffalo through camp sites and into the Madison River towards the
Park, as they've done numerous times. Afterwards, we asked the law
enforcement (NPS and Gallatin County sheriff) if they had given any
warning to the campers at Baker's Hole to let them know that twenty
wild buffalo chased by horses would be stampeding through the
campground, jeopardizing their safety. They offered nothing but
excuses, and were quite incensed at us for questioning them.
Shirking responsibility and touting his "twenty years of experience
in this" the NPS agent even went so far as to try and accuse BFC of
harassing the buffalo! Challenged, he quickly gave up that
non-debate, retreated to his car and drove off.

While the government and livestock inspectors will go to any length
to rid Montana of wild buffalo, they are also looking forward to the
buffalo's return this winter, when hunters will again be waiting for
them at the border (see below).

If only we could learn to be more like the buffalo and less like the
thing humans can become. Maybe then we could learn that there is no
gain in greed and there is nothing in Nature that is ours to control.
If we listen to the buffalo, we can learn to live gently upon the
Earth and in agreement with our fellow creatures. Maybe then we
would understand not merely co-existence, but living symbiotically,
in harmony. Nature may be red in tooth and claw, but she is not
greedy.

Roam Free,
~Stephany

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* Montana Will Propose Expanded Bison Hunt

MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) held two meetings last week to
discuss the recent hunt and their future plans. Most in attendance
were representatives of BFC and FWP agents themselves. It was a
great opportunity for some frank discussion. BFC outlined our
continued opposition to the hunt and pointed out the failings we
witnessed this year. Today we learned that FWP plans to recommend
issuing 100 permits, one hundred too many and twice as many as last
year. If FWP gets their way, seventy of the permits will be to kill
buffalo in West Yellowstone and thirty will go to kill buffalo in
Gardiner. Sixteen permits will again go to eight Montana tribes.
The agency also plans to issue female-only tags in addition to
either-sex tags.

On June 8th in Helena, FWP will present their recommendations to the
FWP Commission. Another meeting will be held sometime in July,
where FWP will make their final recommendation to the Commission.
Opportunities for public comment will be available throughout the
process, and there's no better time than the present to let your
voice be heard for the last wild herd! For the time being, please
contact FWP Region 3 Director Pat Flowers at pflowers [at] mt.gov and
elaborate on the following points:

1. No habitat, no hunt! Wild buffalo must be provided year-round
habitat in Montana, the opportunity to restore themselves and
establish a viable population within the state before a hunt can be
considered. If they insist on a hunt, suggest that FWP increase the
bison hunt application fee, with at least $15 from each application
going towards the purchase of Montana bison habitat.
2. No Department of Livestock (DOL)! Though FWP crafts the
regulations of the hunt, the DOL remains the authorizing agency and -
as we witnessed this year - can cancel the hunt to harass and
slaughter buffalo. The DOL should stick with inspecting and managing
cattle, and should have no dealings in any aspects of wildlife
management. FWP must strengthen their backbones and demand the DOL's
authority be revoked.
3. If FWP insists on a hunt, it must be as fair as possible. To
prevent hunters from hovering at the border of the national park,
suggest FWP create a buffer zone of *at least* 1/2 a mile from
Yellowstone's boundary. Also, demand that they forbid hunters from
shooting buffalo on Dale Koelzer's property, the site of the Duck
Creek bison trap and the agents' bison harassment headquarters in
West Yellowstone.
4. Tell FWP that you expect them to better educate hunters on the
behavior of wild buffalo. Buffalo will mourn their fallen brothers
and sisters, and if a hunter insists on killing a buffalo, they must
respect them enough to give them the opportunity to do this. Hunters
should be forbidden to harass mourning buffalo and must refrain from
throwing rocks or other objects at them.
5. Wild buffalo must be classified - year round - as a native
wildlife species. Currently, wild buffalo hold a dual status in
Montana. During hunting season they are classified as both "an
animal in need of disease control" and also a "game species." As
natives to all of Montana, buffalo should be permanently classified,
respected and valued as a native wildlife species.
6. Question FWP about whether this hunt, given the lack of fear
bison have toward humans, can meet the state's legal requirement of
"fair chase," and if FWP genuinely believes that the bison will
become more skittish around humans in time, how will that behavior
change affect the ability of millions of tourists to enjoy the bison
in Yellowstone National Park, and why hasn't FWP ever evaluated that
potential impact in any of its hunt documents?

Please include your own thoughts, ideas and feelings. Remind FWP
that the Yellowstone bison herd is the last wild herd left in the
country and that as such, it deserves protection, not more
persecution. If you are a hunter, your voice has a special place in
these discussions; wild buffalo need you to advocate for their right
to roam free and restore themselves on all available habitat prior to
any hunt.

Send your comments to pflowers [at] mt.gov and please send a copy to BFC
at bfc-media at wildrockies.org. For more information about the hunt,
or to view video footage from the last hunt, visit:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legislative/bisonhuntingbill.html.

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* Summer Tabling Opportunities with BFC!

Buffalo Field Campaign has positions open for summer tablers in
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks from June 10 through
September 5, 2006. We are looking for 3-4 dedicated people who are
well-versed on the buffalo issue and enjoy talking to others about
it. You can help tell the buffalo's story and inspire action from
the millions who flock to the Parks to admire them.

If you've been wanting to experience the beauty of the Yellowstone
ecosystem and speak out for the buffalo, we want to hear from you!
Applicants should be hardworking, outgoing, friendly folks who are
comfortable camping for up to five days at a time (in the parks -
what a dream!). A minimum commitment of one month is required (and
appreciated). BFC will provide a small stipend as well as room and
board.

Interested? Contact Stephanie Munce at buffalo at wildrockies.org or
call 406-646-0070.

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* Tatanka 2006 ~ Built to Spill Benefit Concert for BFC!

Join BFC for a rockin' benefit for the wild Buffalo & Buffalo Field
Campaign in Boise, Idaho with Built to Spill, Travis Ward & Junkyard
Bandstand, and Bales of Hey Saturday June, 3rd, Big Easy Concert
House. Tickets are on sale now and have been reduced in price from
$21 to $15! We'll see you there!

For more information and to order tickets please visit
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/. Many thanks to Built to Spill
and Ken Cole for making this event possible!

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* Last Words

"The killing by the state of Montana could threaten the future of
this national symbol and the biological integrity of the last wild
herd."

~ Former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, 1997

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* BFC Family Member Injured: Send Your Love and Support

The BFC family was hit hard this week with the news that Willow
Coefield, the 15 year old daughter of long-time BFC board members Su
Gregerson and Jim Coefield and a dedicated BFC volunteer in her own
right, was hospitalized after being injured in a bad car accident.

Over the past decade Jim, Su, and Willow have devoted tremendous
time, love, and energy to the BFC's bison protection efforts. Without
their dedication there would be no BFC as we know it. Su launched
BFC's email Updates from the Field, created and maintained our
original web site, and ensured the financial stability of the
organization through her professional and creative fundraising
efforts. Jim has long been our technical guru, establishing and
maintaining BFC's email accounts and databases, servicing our
computers, and overseeing the layout, production, and mailing of our
annual newsletter. Together they played a key role in formulating
short and long-term strategy and ensuring the stability and
efficiency of the Campaign. Willow has always been dedicated to the
buffalo, both here in West Yellowstone where she loves to spend time
with the buffalo and in Missoula where she gives hundreds of hours to
helping with mailings and volunteering at special events.

Willow keeps amazing people with her strength, determination, and
healing but her injuries are serious and no one knows how long she
will need to be in the hospital. Jim and Su have been at her bedside
continuously and for obvious reasons both are taking time off of
work. The last thing they need to worry about is money. Please keep
Willow, Su, and Jim in your thoughts and prayers and, if you can,
help provide the family with financial support so they can keep their
focus where it needs to be: on Willow's healing and recovery.

Friends have set up a special account to help this amazing family
through this very difficult time. Please send contributions via mail
to:

Benefit for Willow Coefield
Missoula Federal Credit Union
2001 Brooks St.
Missoula, MT 59801

If you have any questions about how to make a contribution to this
account, please call the Missoula Federal Credit Union at: (406)
523-3300

Thank you for your love and support in this difficult time,

Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers, coordinators, and board members