To learn more about the Slaughter of Buffalo in Montana, Click on the Buffalo Picture Above.

Fall is in the Air... Gearing up for Winter Campaign 9/25/99 Unfortunately, the State of Montana is preparing to continue its barbaric buffalo slaughter this winter. So... grassroots citizens are preparing for another winter of direct nonviolent action.

Last weekend found the Buffalo Field Campaign in West Yellowstone full of weekend warriors chopping wood and prepping the cabin for winter. The house smells good as the kitchen feeds those who come in tired and hungry after a hard day's work. The cabin glows from its summer cleaning, and the newly expanded kitchen gleams. A new office space in another cabin being converted nears completion as the old space fills up with more sleeping bunks for this winter's crew. Fall is in the air, a bit chilly and the cottonwoods and aspens are turning colors. Bears are have their final berry feasts and the elk and deer are preparing for change!

How can you get involved? Buffalo Field Campaign is a consensus based, non discriminatory, substance free campaign. Lodging and food (and loan of some gear) are provided for those who come to help. Help is needed for many things: ski patrols; back country patrols; highway buffalo road crossing; monitoring bald eagles; legal defense; cooking and cleaning; networking; getting the word out to the press about the situation; and contacting the people making the bad decisions--crying out for justice.

Plan a week (or a month or two) to come to West Yellowstone from November to May to help out. Write mailto:buffalo@wildrockies.org for an info packet. If you have an area of expertise like first aid, office skills, non profit experience, legal expertise, consensus training, spiritual teachings that you can share, or anything else you would like to share... please let us know. We will have a Council teepee up this winter and are looking for folks to host free informational seminars for the volunteer activists.

We are trying to secure funding so that we don't have to scramble in the middle of the campaign when things get hectic. Any contribution is tax deductible. If you know of businesses, foundations or individuals that might help out, please pass this and our website URL on to them. If you are not comfortable approaching them in our behalf, please send us their contact info and we will make a polite inquiry.

Besides cash... we have a wish list of needed items (also tax deductible). Any help securing these items is appreciated. (buffalo@wildrockies.org) with any questions or for specifics)

Needed items: -Tee Pees (for extra lodging) -Industrial sewing machine -Van -Food dehydrators -Chain Saw -Juicer -4x4 Truck -(-40) Sleeping Bags -Pressure Cooker -Snowmobiles -Bulk organic peanut butter -Wood hauling trailer -Freezer -Solar panels & accessories -Wool socks -Car with good gas mileage -Thick wool sweaters -Rechargeable batteries -Sunglasses -Drill -Sun Block -Skill saw -Chapstick -Welder -Small Woodstoves -Bulk honey & maple syrup -Digital cam corder -Coffee -really big coffee pot -VHS Tapes -Garlic -Vitaman C -Sorrel Boots -Organic herbs & spices -Cross country skis -Cashew butter -Snow Shoes -Tea seed oil -Head Lamps -Grapefruit seed extract -Lavender extract -35 mm cameras (manual) -Lenses to fit such cameras -Water proof camera bags -telephoto -wide angle -unipods or light weight tri/bi pods -Flashes -Film -Filters -print color -uv -print black and white -polarized -slides -Camera straps -Disposable cameras - electric stove/range - welding equipment - generator - bulk toiletry items (toothpaste, biodegradable soap, etc) - field radios (call for info) - thank you cards/gifts for volunteers Also looking for responsible, cheap film developing.

Thanks for all your support, and as we gear up for this winter, we will be sending you a couple of updates a month regarding the buffalo. Please help us get the word out by forwarding this newsletter to a friend who might want to subscribe. Together we can stop the slaughter! of the last wild buffalo herd.

If you know of any great media folks in your community, please send me their email and fax numbers so we can keep them informed! Thanks!

For Immediate Release, 10/1/99 MT. State contractor admits to poaching buffalo at Duck Creek

Contact information: Buffalo Field Campaign 1-406-646-0070 wildrockies

On Tuesday, the Buffalo Field Campaign, a group working to protect the last wild buffalo of Yellowstone National Park, found a poached bison on the land of Dale Koelzer. The bison had been skinned with its head and genitalia removed. Koelzer's property adjoins Yellowstone National Park about 8 miles north of West Yellowstone.

Dale Koelzer is the same man that the State of Montana contracts with to lease land and locate their Duck Creek bison capture trap.. The MT Department of Livestock (D.O.L.) also leases the basement to his house for their employees. The Duck Creek capture facility is notorious as the staging ground for the DOL's slaughter of bison as they migrate outside of Yellowstone Park's boundaries. Koelzer obviously believed that his cozy relationship with the State gave him the authority to poach bison. The day before he admitted to the barbaric killing, when initially contacted by the local game warden, Koelzer denied having anything to do with it.

Mike Mease, Field Operations Coordinator for the Buffalo Field Campaign stated, "Koelzer didn't follow the law regarding bison on private lands, and he lied to the State. The D.O.L. should immediately cancel their contracts with Koelzer, remove the Duck Creek capture facility, and prosecute him to the full extent of the law."

So far, he has been charged with waste of game, unlawful hunting during closed season and possession of an unlawfully killed animal. Each charge carries a small fine and some jail time (6 months for each). He must be prosecuted to the full extent including jail time and an example must be made that this behavior is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to use the defense that he was trying to protect his horses. If that were the case, he should have acted as the law demands and immediately contacted the D.O.L. or local game warden instead of lying and harvesting valuable parts of the bison while leaving valuable meat to rot.

It would be a crime if he gets off by only paying a small fine (probably out of the money he receives from the state for his leases). By poaching and then removing the head, skin and genitalia, it must be investigated if his intention was indeed to sell a poached animal or its parts on the black market. It must also be investigated what charges can be brought against him for willfully lying to a FWP agent.

Koelzer initially created the situation of buffalo frequenting his land by feeding elk hay in the winter to bait them onto his land for hunting. Buffalo frequent areas where hay is used as bait, and that is how the D.O.L. lures them into their capture facilities.

The Department of Livestock must cancel their contracts with this admitted poacher. In no way can he receive state monies or have contact with the buffalo after showing such blatant disregard for not only the buffalo but the law. Contact the D.O.L. and request that they discontinue any contracts with this criminal:

Montana Department of Livestock Box 202201 Helena, MT 59620

The DOL's acting director is Marc Bridges phone from in-state at 1-800-523-3162; ext. 3 or out of state (406) 444-2023.

D.O.L. media flack: Tom Daubert in-state phone # 1-800-523-3162 or out of state 406.449 2095 or email Arnie Gertonson, Montana State Vet: Arnie Gertonson

The Prosecuting attorney is Todd Whipple for Gallatin County (406.582.2145)

Currently, the U.S. Congress is in the process of appropriating $750,000 (of your federal tax dollars) to run the DOL's bison capture operations at Duck Creek and Horse Butte. Much of that money would end up in Koelzer's pocket, as it has in the past. Contact your Congressional Reps and Senators and tell them that they must remove the capture facility appropriations item from Senate Bill 1233 or House Bill 1906.

The Senate bill also includes $610,000 for the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC). The GYIBC is comprised of all the state and federal agencies involved in bison management. It has been given the responsibility of resolving the ongoing controversy surrounding bison management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Unfortunately, its current solutions focus on manipulating and killing bison and elk to eradicate the bacteria while leaving the domestic livestock industry untouched. Though the Senate bill does not specify how this money would be spent, allowing the GYIBC member states (Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana) to control these funds is unacceptable. The bill has gone thru the House and is going back to the Senate ratification. So please take a moment and contact them today... it really can help:

US Senators The Honorable _____________ United States Senate; Washington, DC 20510 email addresses for senators at:Senators

AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS CONFEREES: SENATORS:

Ted Stevens (AK) 202-224-3004 ph 202-224-2354 fax

Robert Byrd (WV) 202-224-3954 ph 202-3384467 fax

Thad Cochran (MS) 202-224-5054 ph 202-224-9450 fax

Arlen Specter (PA) 202-224-4254 ph 202-228-1229 fax

Christopher Bond (MO) 202-224-5721 ph 202-224-8149 fax

Mitch McConnell (KY) 202-224-2541 ph 202-224-2489 fax

Herb Kohl (WI) 202-224-5653 ph 608-264-5473 fax

Tom Harkin (IA) 202-224-3254 ph 202-224-9369 fax

Byron Dorgan (ND) 202-224-2551 ph 202-224-1193 fax

Dianne Feinstein (CA) 202-224-3841 ph 202-228-3954 fax

Richard Durbin (IL) 202-224-2152 ph 202-228-0400 fax

Racicot drools over Secretary of Interior position with Presidential candidate Bush and will lie, lie lie to get there!

In a recent article intended to make the George Bush election campaign think that Marc Racicot is truly working on the buffalo issue, Marc emotionally told a group of reporters that bison management is an issue on which he spends most of his time. "We're driving every day to find a solution," Racicot said. "It's that important. It's that damn important." (Billings Gazette, Article by Joe Kolman; September 1st, 1999).

We all know that Racicot is unresponsive to the wills of hunters and citizens opposed to current state buffalo policy. How many times have you called or written Marc and has he been responsive to your concerns? The fact that he discontinued email accounts when contacted about the buffalo issue further proves that not only is Mr. Racicot technologically illiterate but completely unresponsive and unconcerned about the view points of those who he was elected to serve.

Should Racicot be considered for a Cabinet position in the would-be Bush presidency? His reaction to public opinion about the bison should be an issue. Take a moment and contact the George Bush campaign and let them know how you feel about Governor Racicot being involved in their campaign. Is he a help or hindrance to their campaign? Let them know.

Bush for President P.O. Box 1902 Austin, Texas 78767-1902

Phone: (512)-637-2000 Fax: (512) 637-8800 email: George W. Bush

Fall petition Drive upon us

The first presentation of signatures in Washington D.C. last spring relayed the demands of thousands of concerned citizens from around the globe that they are disgusted at the buffalo slaughter. These citizens are demanding an end to the insanity. This fall as the buffalo killing begins again, we will do another presentation to elected officials in DC. Please let your friends who haven't signed the petition yet know the URL. If you have a half hour, research the web and share info about the buffalo Buffalo with folks who haven't heard about it. The more folks that express outrage, the stronger we will be.

Thanks for encouraging your friends to sign on (and if you haven't yourself... here is your chance!) We'll keep ya updated! it takes about 30 seconds... go to buffpet

Schedule a fall viewing of the Buffalo Bull video in your Community

A copy of Buffalo Bull is available for a showing in your community. Reserve a library room. Contact the local events calendar in the paper. Make up a few flyers and hang them and have a showing. We can provide you with the tape (not suitable for young kids) and some newsletters to get the info out. Invite the local media! Drop us a note and send what ya can to cover postage etc. and we will get it out to you. Thanks!

Thanks to all of you who have joined the update list over the summer. If you heard about the buffalo issue over the summer traveling thru Yellowstone or from a friend, there is some background info at Background Information Write us with any suggestions, comments or to get more involved!

A big thanks also to Patagonia for excellent help with a great West Coast Road Show this summer! Also to Bonnie Raitt and all the great folks who held a benefit concert for Buffalo Field Campaign and Honor the Earth!

Thanks to the folks at Norcross for helping out! And thanks to all of you who have helped us out with expenses. Every donation small or large helps us stay on the front lines and continue this important work! Every thoughtful email or card to the campaign helps an activist know that their hard work and sacrifices are appreciated.

Thanks to all! For the Earth and all her creatures!

Contact info for camp: Buffalo Field Campaign (formerly Buffalo Nations) PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax Wild Rockies ___________________________________________________________ Please take 20 seconds and add your voice to those who speak FOR THE BUFFALO and sign this petition! Petition

Last year the Montana DOL killed 96 buffalo...and they have killed over 1200 this decade! Now, is the time to speak out before the killing begins again this year. Please encourage your friends and families to stop by and sign! and thanks to all of you who have already signed on!!!! The first delivery in DC was great! The second one this fall will be even better!

we have posted video clips for an "in the field" look at the buffalo and their plight with the Montana Department of Livestock Please stop by and see it! Video Clips The page is being updated for this new winter season...keep checkin in and thanks for your pattience!

"STOP THE KILLING OF OUR BUFFALO"

Thanks! To all of you who reply.

• Yellowstone Park Superintendent Mike Finley