Subject: I've taken the time to inform you

To Whom it should Concern:
Buffaflo is an endangered species, and yet you give false
information to people over the web. Quote, "...it is a unique thrill to
look out over such a vast scope of country, see herds of uison, elk, and
deer, and know that not only is the view unchanged from hundreds of years
ago, but it is going to remain that way." Contrary to what you lead people
to believe from you webpage, the fact is that over a 1000 buffalo have
been killed within a few months! That leads a dwendling 1700 left in the
US. What gives you the nerve to misinform people, and make it seem alright
to hunt these disappearing animals? You have all these pictures of dead
buffalos next to a proud man with his gun. I'd like to see some pictures
of a buffalo tearing up one of those guys and standing with pride in a
picture. Can you do that for me? Oh, wait, a buffalo is just a thing to
shoot for the heck of it with the excuse that "if I don't hunt, I'll
starve." Why does humanity pride in violent nature? It's not the hunt that
upsets me, it's the fact that 1700 helpless creatures are being
threatened, and there are people who want to excuse their actions because,
it's like it always ways. I hope you all educate yourselfs a bit more on
what is happening in the state of Montana, and urge your statemen, to
become an active part in preventing the extinction of the buffalo.
Thanks for your time,
Christa Byler
and Sherry Brookbank

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Cowboy Heaven Consulting
http://www.cowboyhvn.com

Hello,

While I appreciate your concern, bison are in no sense an endangered
species. They were at one point, in the late 1800's, but thanks to the
efforts of a few concerned individuals, primarily Theodore Roosevelt and
Charles Conrad, the remaining population was preserved. Now, bison are
thriving.
I'd be curious to hear where you got the figure of 1700 bison left in the
US. There are over 2000 just on the ranch where we offer bison hunts.
The National Buffalo Foundation lists the following population figures;
Privately owned bison - U.S. - 244,000
Privately owned bison - Canada - 100,000
Public herds - U.S. - 10,000
Public herds - Canada - 3,000
Native American herds - 7,000
Bison in zoos - 750
Bison outside U.S & Canada - 300

In response to your comment that I should "educate yourselfs" and become
involved; I am quite informed on the status of bison, and am actively
involved in bison and wildlife issues. I am adamantly opposed to the
Montana Dept. of Livestock's policy of killing bison that leave Yellowstone,
and a wildlife group I'm active in is working on a long-term solution.
We're not chaining ourselves to DOL trailers like the Buffalo Field Campaign
folks, but are instead working within the system to buy out the single
domestic cattle grazing allotment in the area, near Horse Butte. If that
allotment ceased to exist, bison would be free to migrate north toward
Hebgen Dam and potentially beyond.
You do us both a disservice by assuming that I am a misinformed and
uninvolved redneck, in need of enlightenment.
On the other hand, I do appreciate that you care enough to write, even if
the most miniscule amount of researching the subject would have shown your
figure of 1700 "buffaflos" to be grossly mistaken.
As far as the "pride in violent nature" comment; that is certainly not how I
feel or view myself. Yes, I hunt. My family's primary protein source is
wild meat, mainly elk. I take great satisfaction in knowing that it is pure
and free of antibiotics and steriods, not to mention that we went out and
harvested it ourselves, with no small amount of effort, I might add. If you
choose to not hunt; fine, more power to you. Don't make the mistake of
thinking that somehow makes you morally superior, though. If you consume
domestically produced meat, you are perpetuating an infinitely more inhumane
system. And if you're vegetarian, that can be even worse. Do you have any
idea of the environmental toll plant-based food production exerts? Even if
you eschew meat and only consume organic produce, don't preach to me if
you're wearing leather shoes or belts. And let's say your organic cotton
shoes have rubber or synthetic soles... oh, man, now you're in bed with the
petrochemical industry!
The blood is on your hands, too, you see. I just don't hide behind a facade
of self-serving indignity. Glass houses, hmmm?

Regards,

Bill O'Connell
Cowboy Heaven Consulting

regards Howitzer

Very well written, Bill. I've gotten the veggan letters before and they seem to think they have absolutely no impact on animals. I for one am glad all humans are not vegitarian, if we were there would be no room for any grazing animals (oh, those nasty crop raiders) which also puts preditors out too.

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~Ann
Orion Trophy Expeditions

Why don't give us her email address and we can all clog up her email with responses to her erroneous email.

These people are typical of their group. They seldom make the effort to research any issue and since they are such lazy researchers, they frequently get their information from TV sound bites or parrot information that some other anti quotes. Apparently as soon as a lie is quoted twice it becomes a fact. I found that when forcibly confronted with facts publically (this usually requires several attempts) the antis eventually shut up in public.

(you did a cut and paste didn't you? I was wonder where the uisons live)

RH

I think RMK is right-this has extortional advantages written all over it.

The funniest thing I have ever seen was when three PETA chicks went on Howard Stern."Take off your tops and kiss each other or the lobster dies!!!" I think Howard would fit in just fine here.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

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Mehul Kamdar

[This message has been edited by raamw (edited 05-06-2002).]

You might also inform them that some of those public Wood Bison (a much rarer animal than the plains bison) herds in The Yukon and Northwest territories are in existence because of and managed with funds generated by hunting.

JohnTheGreek

quote:

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Originally posted by mehulkamdar:
.... they should look at India where hunting has been banned for 20 years now, and there is no species of our wildlife that is safe over here....

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Mehul,

Is hunting totally ban in India, or any species of birds and animals still allowed like ducks, wild boar, nilgai.

What about forest/jungle areas? Are these stable or reducing due to timber cutting?

Saad

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Mehul Kamdar

quote:

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Originally posted by raamw:
It seems to me an organization should be formed if not already to take contributions to buy up all these grazing rights,
[This message has been edited by raamw (edited 05-06-2002).]

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True since the grazing rights are competitive, the anti-groups could buy them themselves. I believe in some cases (in idaho and other places) they have (it is afterall a free country). But generally when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, they don't. Generally they expect the gouvernment (yours and my taxes) to foot the bill for them. I get tired of these ( anti-)people not taking responsibility for themselves.