Buffalo Field Campaign wishes you a very Happy Holiday Season.

We deeply appreciate your support of BFC’s efforts and your dedication to protecting America’s only continuously wild population of bison.

We are very happy to report that after 11 years, the pressure we have collectively brought to bear is finally starting to pay off with on-the-ground policy changes benefiting the buffalo. After receiving countless phone calls, emails, letters, and a scathing Congressional report that was informed and inspired by Buffalo Field Campaign information and testimony, the agencies implementing the Interagency Bison Management Plan announced last week that starting this winter they will allow bison to occupy the Horse Butte Peninsula and other areas near West Yellowstone without immediately being subjected to the hazing, shooting, capture, and slaughter that has occurred on such a heavy scale during recent winters and springs.

While the recently announced changes are not the ultimate solution we have all been working so hard to create (bison will only be tolerated in certain “zones” at certain times of year and Montana Department of Livestock will maintain ultimate decision-making authority over when to haze and kill bison), they do represent the first positive on-the-ground improvement in how bison will be treated on Horse Butte. We’ll offer more specifics of the changes in next week’s Update from the Field but wanted to share the good news with you today.

We anticipate many new opportunities for protecting the bison in 2009 and, with your help, will continue to make major progress as we press for greater protection of the Yellowstone bison and their habitat.

Thank you for taking part in this critical movement to protect the irreplaceable wild bison.

With the Buffalo,

BFC Volunteers, Coordinators, and Board Members
Buffalo Field Campaign
PO Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
bfc@wildrockies.org

If you haven’t already done so, please make a year-end tax-deductible donation and help us meet our 2008 fundraising goal.

RALLY FOR THE BUFFALO IN MONTANA’S STATE CAPITAL!

Dear Buffalo Friends in Montana,

Join Buffalo Field Campaign and other wild bison advocates on Monday, January 5, 2009 for a *RALLY IN HELENA*! We need you to stand with us for the buffalo as both Governor Brian Schweitzer and the Montana Legislature are sworn into office. Stand with us to let the Montana Governor and the Legislature know that wild buffalo have a right to migrate into and be treated respectfully in Montana!

* WHO: Everyone who cares about restoring wild bison in Montana

* WHAT: March & Rally with banners, puppets, speakers and take action items

* WHEN: Monday, January 5, 2009. 9:00 – 10:30 am

* WHERE: Meet at Women’s Park then we’ll march to the state capital around 9:30 am. Women’s Park is located between Neill and Fuller Avenues, near N. Last Chance Gulch, about a mile from the state capital building. Visit Google Maps, and type in Women’s Park, Helena, Montana for a map and directions.

* WHY: America’s last wild bison that migrate into Montana from Yellowstone National Park continue to be harassed and killed for following their natural instincts. Last year, the state of Montana and Yellowstone National Park perpetuated the largest-scale wild bison slaughter since the 1800’s, killing more than 1,600 wild bison. During Governor Schweitzer’s first term, more wild bison were killed than under the combined three terms of the governors who preceded him, even though when he first campaigned he did so under the promise to provide “more tolerance for wild bison in Montana.”

We gather to hold the Governor accountable for his actions against wild bison, to encourage him to support actions recognizing wild bison as a valued wildlife species in Montana, and to provide year-round habitat for this special, prehistoric species.

When he ran for office Governor Schweitzer said that the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) is “ill-equipped to manage wild buffalo.” We will ask the Montana legislature to repeal MCA 81-2-120, the current law that places the Montana Department of Livestock in charge of bison management, and urge them to support LC0128, the Montana Wild Buffalo Recovery and Concervation Act of 2009; a bill that will remove the DOL’s authority, respect wild bison, and designate Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as the managing agency.

We will also have post cards on hand for you to sign and mail or hand deliver to your state legislators, and we’ll have enough post cards for you to take back to your community. Hot beverages and snacks will be provided to keep you warm and happy!

CONTRIBUTE YOUR CREATIVITY & ENERGY! There are many ways you can help make this rally a success:

Join us and bring your friends and family
Make banners, puppets, masks (Message should include: Year-round habitat, Respect bison as wildlife, Remove the DOL’s authority, or any others that are close to your heart for the buffalo)
Organize or be available for carpools to get as many people as possible to attend
Distribute fliers around your community (flyer to be distributed in subsequent email)
Contact local media to let them know about the event
Write letters to the editor of local and regional newspapers to talk about the buffalo

We look forward to seeing you there! Please spread the word to save the herds!

For more information, please visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org or contact bfc-media@wildrockies.org

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Media & Outreach
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

Buffalo Field Campaign
Yellowstone Bison
Update from the Field
December 18, 2008

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In this issue:
* Update from the Field
* BFC Badly Needs Snowplow & New Computers
* Last Words
* Kill Tally

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Continue Reading »

Buffalo Field Campaign
Yellowstone Bison
Update from the Field
December 11, 2008

KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY

“LET BUFFALO ROAM” LICENSE PLATES AVAILABLE NOW! Show your support with Montana’s NEW “Let Buffalo Roam” license plate! Official plates are available for Montana vehicles, or speak for the buffalo in any state or country with a sample plate!

NEW BFC T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE NOW! Get yours today! T-shirt features a beautiful wood-cut buffalo with the words “Wanted: Room to Roam”

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In this issue:
* Update from the Field
* View & Vote! Bison, bison: The Haze
* Sale of Children’s Books to Benefit Buffalo Field Campaign
* Last Words
* Kill Tally
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Buffalo Field Campaign
Yellowstone Bison
Update from the Field
December 4, 2008

KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY

“LET BUFFALO ROAM” LICENSE PLATES AVAILABLE NOW! Show your support with Montana’s NEW “Let Buffalo Roam” license plate! Official plates are available for Montana vehicles, or speak for the buffalo in any state or country with a sample plate!

NEW BFC T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE! Get yours today! T-shirt features a beautiful wood-cut buffalo with the words “Wanted: Room to Roam”

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Continue Reading »