The winter solstice is upon us...

 

 

The winter solstice is upon us as we complete another trip around the sun. 

The Coalition hopes this finds you and yours enjoying the season! -- Looking back at 2018, we find progress on developing the Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition has been slow. Our biggest accomplishment has been launching of this website. We had over 9000 “hits” on it during November. But our current problem is funding. 

We need help to post additional ideas on this site and to keep it current. Please consider joining our effort by sending a few dollars. The Pay Pal option is available, as noted. -- Awaiting funding are the posting of thoughts on “Threats of Wild Bison to Montana Ranching” and “Hunting and Bison Wildness”.

Help us get these posted.
 

Thanks, Jim Bailey, Coordinator.

Response to Op Eds Opposing Wild Bison in Montana

Ron Poertner of Winifred, wrote an opinion opposed to restoring wild bison on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. It was published in at least 2 Montana newspapers. He misrepresents certain facts and maligns efforts of the American Prairie Reserve and the Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition, two separate groups with widespread support from within and outside Montana.

The Coalition is not a “propaganda arm” of APR as claimed by Poertner. It originated independently and has no connection, administrative or financial, with APR. That said, it is clear that some of our objectives overlap and we do communicate on these. -- Our Coalition’s 2 objectives may be found elsewhere on this website.

Poertner’s picture of free-roaming bison destroying crops and grazing land is inconsistent with Montana law that protects and indemnifies private properties from any public bison that may occur. Fear-mongering is unattractive. -- See Montana law (87-1-216) under “Legal Issues” on this website.

Poertner is correct that our Governor has denied action to restore wild bison on the CMR NWR. Denial has been accompanied by years of pretense with working groups, public input, and a rather meaningless plan that has not been completed in over 3 years. -- See “Montana Plans” under “Our Mission” on this website.

Poertner brags that our Governor’s inaction is controlled by “fierce opposition” from rural communities and “most” Montana agriculture. A minority controls a public wildlife species, a national refuge, other national (BLM) lands, and some private landowners who appreciate bison. Yet polls show that 70% of Montana voters favor having wild public bison on and near the CMR NWR.

Poertner will be correct so long as Montanans and other owners of the federal lands allow this miscarriage of democracy with no room for negotiation. The Bison Coalition seeks no control over private properties and is willing to explain its mission to all involved. But leadership from our Governor’s office is needed for any real progress. 

For more information: Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition website

 

Bison Hate Mail

The Coalition received its first hate mail in the form of a phone call from Lewistown today.

The curse-filled call contained some common nonsense: “We are lackeys of the United Nations trying to steal private land; We are communists. We should go back to where we came from.” 

There were also complaints regarding unrelated issues: “Yellowstone Park is overgrazed; Wolves are part of the United Nations plot; Bison in Yellowstone Park are in Montana.” 

R. S. in Lewistown has a right to embarrass himself; but we won’t stoop to his level.

Bison Restoration Coalition Forum in Bozeman November 8th

Please Join Us: The Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition is sponsoring a forum on issues and opportunities for restoring wild bison in Montana. Jim Bailey will be the primary speaker.

Location: Bozeman Public Library, 626 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715 - Click for Google map 
Time: 6 - 8 PM
Date: Thursday, November 8. 

MT Wild Bison Presentation in Gardiner

Jim Bailey will be presenting on issues and opportunities for restoring wild, public bison on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Friday, October 12 in Gardiner. The public meeting is sponsored by Bear Creek Council and will be held at Jim Halfpenny’s Track Center, 9 Jardine Road, 6:30 – 8PM.

The Coalition will sponsor its own presentation, Thursday, November 8, 6 – 8PM at the Bozeman Library. Watch here for additional information as this program develops. 

 

The Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition would like to present at similar public meetings in other Montana communities. We are seeking local sponsors for these presentations, especially in Missoula, Great Falls, Helena and Billings. If you or your group would like to sponsor a local presentation, and handle local logistics and publicity, please contact Jim Bailey at jabailey34@aol.com, or at (406) 539 – 1359 (e-mail preferred).

A Growing Coalition

 
The Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition is a grassroots organization, recognizing the absence of wild bison in Montana, disseminating information on issues and opportunities for bison restoration, and promoting the return of wild, public bison to the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

As of September, 2018, the Coalition is still growing and developing its formal structure. Individuals and organizations, including our current supporters, will be invited to become members of the Coalition soon after our website is launched on line.

Mission: Our goals are to enhance public awareness of conservation opportunities for wild, public bison in Montana; and to establish a bison herd on public lands and private land where bison are accepted, within and near the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

The Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coordinator is Dr. Jim Bailey, retired professor of wildlife biology and management at Colorado State University. He has authored American Plains Bison: Rewilding an Icon, published by Sweetgrass Books, Helena, MT. A biography of Dr. Bailey and more of his writings are available on his website at jamesabailey.com.

If you are interested in supporting or becoming a member of our Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition, please contact us at mtwildbison@gmail.com.