Buffalo Field
Campaign
November 2015
The Buffalo Field Campaign has seasonal openings for field volunteers. We
have opportunities for every season, but are in great need of folks during
the Winter when the buffalo migrate to lower elevation in search of forage,
and especially the Spring months when the mothers venture to their
traditional calving grounds outside the Park boundaries. Any buffalo within
Montana's borders is in danger of being shot on sight, hazed, or captured
and shipped to the slaughterhouse.
All volunteers are provided room, board, gear, and training. We respect
vegan and vegetarian diets. We are located in a warm log cabin by beautiful
Hebgen Lake, just a few miles outside of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Click VOLUNTEERING AT CAMP and make your plans.
BFC patrols look for buffalo in the Gardiner Basin. You, too, can join us on
the front lines. We need you!
Photo by Stephany Seay, BFC.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY SEASON:
Buffalo Field Campaign is dedicated to protecting Yellowstone’s bison 365
days a year. Each season brings its own unique weather, beauty and needs for
BFC's base of operations near Hebgen Lake just outside West Yellowstone,
Montana.
BFC is made possible by people like you. If you want to help create a legacy
where the last wild buffalo roam free, please consider volunteering your
time and energy with us.
Here’s a seasonal overview of camp opportunities and projects you can join
us for:
FALL: Fall sees the end of the rut - the buffalo mating season! It is also
when we prepare camp for the cold winter months just around the corner. Join
us for Woodcut Weekend during the first weekend of October, when volunteers
turn out to gather and cut a winter’s supply of firewood. Many thanks to
past, present, and future volunteers for helping to keep us warm through the
long cold season!
WINTER: Buffalo, led by the bulls, migrate to winter range in lower
elevations surrounding Yellowstone National Park. Winter in Yellowstone can
be harsh but is always extremely rewarding, and it’s a great time to get
oriented with our daily patrols. Winter field patrols run sunup to sundown,
November through February.
SPRING: Female buffalo journey together to their traditional Spring calving
grounds during this budding time of year. Hundreds of buffalo leave the park
to follow in their ancestors' footsteps, gracing the Madison River on their
way to the Horse Butte Peninsula. Unfortunately, Spring’s birthing migration
is marred by the DOL’s repeated hazing of pregnant and birthing buffalo.
Sometimes newborn buffalo calves die as a result of being hazed by the DOL.
Spring is a demanding time for the buffalo and BFC volunteers. The days are
long, buffalo are everywhere in need of help and witnesses. Volunteers are
*badly* needed at this time of year - please make every effort to join us if
you can - and bring your friends! Spring patrols run from March to early
June.
SUMMER: Buffalo begin migrating back to their summer ranges within the
Park’s interior. While the buffalo are relatively safe inside the Park, BFC
begins its extensive outreach and education campaign. BFC has limited
opportunities for Summer volunteers who spend time in Yellowstone National
Park and Jackson, Wyoming, to help educate park visitors about what happens
to the buffalo during the Winter and Spring months. We continue to host
groups and supporters visiting the area, and also organize road shows across
the country, so we can take the buffalo’s message directly to the people.
Thank you for everything you do for animals!
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