Update from the Field 10/03/02




Buffalo Supporters,




As the snow falls to the ground outside, my tears follow. Yesterday marks the earliest buffalo being killed in Buffalo field Campaign's five year history. Three bull buffalo were less than one half mile outside Yellowstone National Park and now lay dead in a slaughterhouse. Last week all cattle in the area were loaded up and taken out of the area , to pastures where they spend most of the year. The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL), the agency that killed the three buffalo, did not even test for brucellosis before shipping them to slaughter. In their own press release they stated they have hazed these bulls at least seven times. All these hazing operations were conducted while the cattle were present. It makes no sense that buffalo are killed when the cows will not be back here until June 2003. The DOL's actions attest to the fact that the current slaughter has nothing to do with disease control. How long shall the people of Montana and the United States fund this senseless destruction of the only continuously wild bison population in the world?




Each winter I watch the MDOL fly their helicopters 20 feet off the ground terrifying all in their path. I watched 300 trumpeter swans take flight as a helicopter flew into their feeding grounds. Trumpeter swans are listed as sensitive under the Endangered Species Act. All wildlife are affected when helicopters, snowmobiles, ATVs, 4 by 4 trucks, and horses roar into their habitat. Winter is also the time when animals need to be conserving energy, not being constantly chased. The DOL have no training in wildlife biology or management yet they run the circus out here. The Park Service and the DOL are now saying that the buffalo herd has grown to 4,045, up from last year's estimated 3,300 to 3,500. With 202 buffalo killed last year, not counting the pregnant moms as two, this year looks to be a very difficult one for the buffalo.




Our Governor, Judy Martz, continues to slander environmentalists as "eco-terroists" while she applauds the extractive industries. "There's not a one of you in this room that isn't a true environmentalist," she told representatives from Exxon-Mobil, ARCO, Burlington Northern, and Smurfit-Stone Container on Tuesday. -- some of Montana's worst polluters.




Call Governor Martz and tell her you do not support the slaughter of America's last wild, genetically pure bison. Demand protection for the bison of Yellowstone National Park and Montana. Call, fax, and email Governor Martz today!




In Montana:1-800-332-2272


out of state (406) 444-3111


fax406) 444-4151


email: jdelger@state.mt.us




This year is looking to be the hardest one yet. We need your help more than ever. Funds are getting low, we continue to gather firewood, and patrols have started up again. Our ability to be here has always relied upon the people and the people have always made us real. We thank you for supporting us through the years and pray for the day when our work is no longer needed.




With the Buffalo,




Mike Mease






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Kitchen Update and Request






Dear buffalo people,




Another winter season of feeding the defenders of the last wild free-roaming bison is upon us. This means that soon loads of hungry volunteers will be arriving on our doorstep ready to sacrifice for the bison . This year some changes are taking place that require us to reach out and ask for help so that we can feed the people and stay strong. The wonderful folks of Seeds of Peace who have for many years provided kitchen equipment and served incredible meals to hundreds of volunteers here will no longer be providing this service. Seeds will remain part of the BFC family and many of the same cooks will be gracing us with their talents, but starting this winter the coordination of the kitchen will be the responsibility of the campaign. We want to thank Seeds for all their love and dedication to this campaign and to all the other causes they continue to serve and support.




Because Seeds will be needing their kitchen equipment, and we need to be functioning in just a few weeks, WE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF INDUSTRIAL/RESTAURANT QUALITY KITCHEN EQUIPMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




We serve four plus meals a day, every day from November to June, to an average of 20 to 60 people. It's a lot of food, a lot of work , a lot of love, and is central to the well-being of everyone and all that we do here. Anyone who would like to help us out and donate and or purchase any of the items on the following list WE WOULD LOVE YOU FOR IT. Please let us know as soon as possible if you can make a donation.




THE KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF EVERY HOME AND COMMUNITY. Please help us keep our hearts strong.






10 and 20 qt. stainless steel pots and lids




regular kitchen size stainless pots and pans with lids




industrial size wok and sautee/fry pans




regular kitchen size heavy duty sautee pans




hotel pans with lids (all sizes)




industrial sized coffee grinder




kitchen-aid mixer




industrial strength food processor




industrial strength juicer




large meat grinder




Cambro containers for transporting hot food to the field




pressure cooker




large insulated hot pots for liquids




large chest type freezer




non-aluminum baking sheets and pizza pans




gas oven/range






Thanks and blessings for the buffalo,




Amani




Kitchen Coordinator


Buffalo Field Campaign






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"We are the watchers. We are the witnesses. We see what has gone before. We see what happens now, at this dangerous moment in human history. We see what's going to happen, what will surely happen unless we come together---we , the Peoples of all Nations---to restore peace, harmony and balance to the Earth, our Mother."




--Chief Arvol Looking Horse


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Buffalo Field Campaign


PO Box 957


West Yellowstone, MT 59758


(406) 646-0070


www.wildrockies.org/buffalo






Buffalo Field Campaign


(formerly Buffalo Nations)


PO Box 957


West Yellowstone, MT 59758


406-646-0070 phone


406-646-0071 fax


buffalo@wildrockies.org


www.wildrockies.org/buffalo


For The Buffalo


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Replying to:

I will be posting articles on the Yellowstone region on the discussion forum, especially AP stories reported in the Casper Star-Tribune. This paper has a lot of useful stories, especially from the Grand Teton region, but they roll their stories off every few days. I want them up much longer. This discussion forum only rolls off as it gets too large.




Jim