Walking the earth with mom, taking our own sweet time. Photo by Stephany Seay, Buffalo Field Campaign.

Over the past few weeks, buffalo in Montana’s Hebgen Basin have been slowly making their way east, towards the summer pastures of Yellowstone National Park. Aside from a few hazing operations along the south side of the Madison River, and the dangers of having to migrate across dangerous highways, buffalo have had another peaceful calving season on their year-round habitat. Lots of baby buffalo came into the world this spring, giving hope for the survival of the imperiled Central herd. As calves grew strong and mothers recovered from giving birth, the gentle giants took their time, moving here and there, and slowly started to meander to where millions of park visitors will soon encounter them. Approximately 130 buffalo remain around Horse Butte, so, even though our field season is officially over for the year, patrols are still going out to check on our friends.

BFC co-founder Mike Mease, and Little Feat co-founder and pianist Billy Payne, at the June 3 concert in Missoula, MT. BFC file photo.

As the buffalo journey to summer pastures and rutting grounds, BFC sets our sights on summer outreach. This year we kicked off some summer tabling at the Little Feat concert in Missoula. BFC’s Mike Mease, Greg Marin, Chuck Irestone, and Kasi Crocker, along with our beloved former Executive Director Danny B (Brister) and former Board member Tom Woodbury were present for this awesome show. BFC was able to set up a table and talk to concert-goers about what is happening to our National Mammal. BFC is honored for the support shown by Little Feat, especially Little Feat co-founder and pianist, Billy Payne, who has been a huge supporter and close comrade of Mike’s for many years.

Mike Mease, Park County Enviro Council ED, Michelle Uberuaga, and Save the Yellowstone Grizzly founder Doug Peacock take questions from BZN film goers. Many expressed great concern and shock at the continued slaughter of Wild Buffalo. BFC file photo.

Shortly after that event, we had the honor of attending the 2019 BZN International Film Festival, in Bozeman, Montana, where “Our National Mammal”, a wonderful film by BFC Advisory Board member, Thia Martin was featured. The BZN Film Festival is a big deal, and we are so proud of Thia for getting the buffalo on the big screen there! In their own words, “The BZN International Film Festival [featured] more than 65 films from around the globe, this year’s films inspire, question and celebrate what it means to be human — and what it means to live in harmony with our amazing environment. Our selection process is centered around BZN’s core values of spotlighting women in film, as well as the woman in all of our lives: Mother Earth. That said, we are firm believers that film should be entertaining — and maybe even make us laugh from time to time.”
What really added to the excitement was the attendance of BFC Board President Justine Sanchez, BFC co-founder Mike Mease, along with BFC Advisory Board member, founder of Save the Yellowstone Grizzly, and author of Grizzly Wars, Doug Peacock, and also the well-known actor and Montana resident, Jeff Bridges! Mike and Doug were on a discussion panel together, engaging attendees about the plight of the grizzly bears and wild buffalo of Yellowstone. (Watch the discussion on Youtube) Other exiting folks were also present, and the audience was generally moved and quite shocked to know what is still happening to the last wild buffalo. Thia’s “Our National Mammal” was very well received and it was an educational and inspiring event for all. Way to go!

BFC Board President Justine Sanchez (left), and BFC Advisory Board member Thia Martin celebrate after a successful film festival! Photo by Thia Martin.

In addition to these events, our Summer Outreach Program is about to launch this Friday! If you have been wanting to come spend time inside Yellowstone National Park, and represent the buffalo with BFC, now is your chance! We can’t stress the importance of this program enough. Volunteers reach so many hundreds of visitors to Yellowstone, who never knew what the Park and the state of Montana are doing to our National Mammal. We need you here with us! Contact Toe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Mike is also gearing up for a slightly different Road Show this year, that will focus more on the Rocky Mountains, where he will hit the road with Native flutist Mignon Geli and eco-musician Dana Lyons, sharing stories, music, and action opportunities. We’ll let you know just as soon as the schedule is posted, but if you are interested in setting up an event or helping in some way, contact Mike at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Last but not least, though it is summer, winter is never far away, and Mike is already out cutting wood for the coming field season. If you or anyone you know are able to lend a hand towards this highly critical job, please get in touch, as we’ll have our annual Wood Cut Week in just a couple of months. And soon our 2018-2019 newsletter will hit the press, and you can help spread the word to save the herds right in your own community. Once it’s out, we can send you as many as you would like that you can spread around your community. We hope you are enjoying a good start to summer and look forward to continuing to make a positive difference for the country’s last wild buffalo with you!

WILD IS THE WAY ~ ROAM FREE!