A few weeks ago, we moved the buffalo into the pasture that borders the Cheyenne River in preparation for moving them onto their winter pasture on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. Each time we do this, I am reminded of the first epic event that took place 14 years ago.
In order to allow our buffalo to cross the Cheyenne River to graze on the national grasslands (the buffalo’s former home for thousands of years), we first had to petition the Forest Service to include the American Bison as an allowed grazing species. Until then, they were not on the list.
We then had a grand celebration in honor of the buffalo returning to the home they hadn't been on for over 150 years. Friends, customers and Native American neighbors dressed in regalia showed up for the event. There were horses with riders, drums and songs and a whole lot of emotion. In short, it was awesome!
Over time, the buffalo have intuitively come to know when it's time to cross the river and moving them has become relatively easy. And over time, the crowd has thinned.
This year our crew consisted of daughter Jilian and husband Colton with new baby Barret (his first buffalo moving experience) in the lead truck, loaded with an alfalfa/mineral cake to encourage the bison to follow. In charge of the backend of the herd in a side-by-side ATV, was Dan and now savvy buffalo mover, 3-year-old grandson Lincoln.
The buffalo were about a mile from the river as the crow flies, with pockets of them tucked into the higher hillside. We were loosing light and I was hoping to capture a short video when we got to the river.
Jilian and Colton pounded the pick-up in a drum like fashion and called “come buffers, come buffers” as they released the alfalfa cake, and Dan and Lincoln zigzagged the hillside picking up the stragglers.
A group of cake lovers followed the truck closely, with the mass of the herd being brought up by Dan and Lincoln.
I tried to stay ahead, wanting to secure a position by the river. Before my last gate, a beautiful buck rose up from the grass that kept him hidden and with one graceful leap jumped the fence. Wow! Exhilarated, I headed for the river and hoped I wouldn’t get stuck. The clouds were starting to blush as the light continued to slip, but it was beautiful. And even without all the fanfare it was awesome!
Here’s a short video that shows a bit more of the process. Although it’s not so good, I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!
Jill
46 comments
Awesome and beautiful! The video was wonderful!
That made my day! Thanks.
Absolutely love seeing buffalo roaming on the plains again!
Thanks for what your doing!!!!
Very interesting, those buffalo can really run especially up a hill. Nice to see the two young buffalo herders to be in training. Thanks
Thanks so much for the video which left me in tears as so many of your buffalo stories do.
That’s a great little video, Jill! It is wonderful to watch the “buffers” cross the river and make their way up the river bluffs. A gorgeous prairie scene. Thanks.
Wow! So beautiful! Centuries of history in one short clip. Thanks for sharing that wonderful visual.
A strong tug at the heartstrings. The bison look happy and content!! Thank you, Jill. The images are priceless, especially the one of Dan and Lincoln. Grateful to all of you for what you do for the environment and for all of us.
Loved it! Better than the CSP Roundup!
A well-told story with great pictures and the video. Dan started a wild idea, and now you have a huge herd of buffalos.
I love hearing these stories. It always renews my hope that we are not lost as a species. There’s still a chance we can return to what was intended.
Harmony with land and air and beast.
Thank you for petitioning 14 years ago.
Being part of your family must feel awesome
Don’t sell yourself short, Jill. That’s a great video. It captures the feeling and gives me the vicarious pleasure of herding.
Why do they spend winter on Buffalo Gap?
Beautiful ‼️Thanks for sharing with us ❤️‼️
As usual, a great piece and the video is full of wonder aka wonderful. Thank you, once again, Dan,
pat
Love your stories and the videos are absolutely fantastic! Keep them coming…… Almost ready to reorder for the winter and holidays……..have to decide (getting harder considering all the great choices) what to get to satisfy my hungry family and friends through the next few cold months. Stay well and healthy and may the wind always be at your back.! Here’s to a GREAT CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR!