Buffalo Field Campaign: Protecting the Last Wild Bison Herd

“Last spring was the first time when they were able to have their calves in peace out there (Horse Butte Peninsula) and they were left alone.”  -Daniel Brister, Director of the Buffalo Field Campaign.

For decades, the Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) has been working to protect the United States’ last remaining wild herd of bison in Yellowstone National Park. Recently, BFC has won some concessions from the Montana governor that is allowing the bison herd to roam outside of the park to the Horse Butte Peninsula, which is their traditional calving area. Until this year, groups who are against allowing bison to roam free in Montana were free to harass the herd during this migration.

“It really comes down to Montana’s powerful livestock industry and them not wanting bison to come out of [Yellowstone National Park] and access public lands around the park.”

KGNU’s Maeve Conran speaks with Buffalo Field Campaign director, Daniel Brister, about the wild bison herd and the issues surrounding them. Brister talks in detail about the challenges caused by trying to limit a wild herd to the National Park and what happens when the herd roams where humans do not want them.

“Hundreds of bison typically are captured in that trap in Yellowstone and then they are transported to slaughter facilities and killed.”

The Buffalo Field Campaign is working to stop the harassment and slaughter of wild bison. The goal is to create permanent protections for the endangered herd and their migratory areas.

On October 22nd, Buffalo Field Campaign will be hosting the Wild ‘n Free Gala to raise awareness for the wild bison herd in Yellowstone National Park. The event will feature a talk by Buffalo Field Campaign founder, Mike Mease, inspired art, local foods, and an original short film.

The Wild ‘n Free Gala to support the Buffalo Field Campaign will be held at the Rembrandt Yard-Art Gallery & Event Center at 1301 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO. The event will be held from 6:00-10:00 pm on Saturday, October 22nd. Tickets are available online at the Wild ‘n Free Gala.

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