Jim McDonald’s Account of Montana’s DOL pushing bison into Yellowstone Park-
This is the time of year when Montana’s Department of Livestock pushes bison back into the Park for no real reason except to demonstrate that they run things in the area. Activist Jim McDonald has written a long essay on a blog describing the disgusting event from his perspective on the ground.
Buffalo torture 2010: Firsthand witness account of Monday’s haze. Buffalo haze 2010: Firsthand witness account of Tuesday’s haze. by Jim Macdonald. Jim’s Eclectic World
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
The problem is Ralph, I’ve been so overwhelmed by everything, I forgot to make sure I got the day correct. This was actually on Tuesday! I changed the title on my blog, but it’s too late for most outlets I’ve published to …
thanks so much for putting this up … it means a lot to me.
Jim Macdonald,
I fixed the day.
It took a lot of courage to get out there and film the haze. Thank you!
Thanks, Ralph. I don’t think I realized how much courage it took – it wasn’t so much law enforcement (as I’ve been in a lot dicier situations in protests with them), it wasn’t even buffalo running right at me with nowhere for me to go, I think the courage that it takes is recognizing just how hard it is to watch animals being treated this way.
I still feel very wounded and distraught and find myself still crying spontaneously with the memories, and that was just one day. To those out in the field so often, every year, all the time, you have no idea how much I love and respect you all – and I will continue to do my very best.
Jim- thank you so very much for the well written account of this unspeakable treatment of our precious wildlife. This story must be told and shared over and over so that each dirty deed these magnificent animals are subject to gets world wide exposure. We have to stop these outdated Old West creeds and start partnering with Mother Nature, not torturing her. My love and light goes to those brave souls on the front lines. “Let Buffalo Roam”!!!!!
Thanks Jim,
I read your account this morning and wished I could have been there too. We will prevail.
Cindy – thanks, I appreciate the kind words, and I’m someone who needs that energy to keep writing and sharing; besides words from you and others, just watching the buffalo persevere has also done that for me … and of course the dedication of many of the other volunteers …
Ken – I hope so; in any event, I’m going to continue to dedicate more of my life to doing more. At least I was able to volunteer for a couple days almost every week this spring – next year, hopefully more …
Thank you,Jim.I,also, wish to see the buffalo being able to roam.
Your description Jim was not unlike the chaos (from the Ancient Greek Χάος, Chaos, typically means a state lacking order or predictability) pain and stress I’ve witnessed around here when it comes to cattle ranching. Its all about profit and the hell with anything else that dares to interfere.
And, if you think my account was sad, the update from the field that went out tonight really has me downtrodden … it’s a helpless feeling even only 90 miles from West Yellowstone …