Bringing back the buffalo

[pscot]

Science Daily has several articles on this at the link.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080429130927.htm

ScienceDaily (Apr. 30, 2008) — Bison can repopulate large areas from Alaska to Mexico over the next 100 years provided a series of conservation and restoration measures are taken, according to continental assessment of this iconic species by the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups. The ssessment was authored by a diverse group of conservationists, scientists, ranchers, and Native Americans/First Nations peoples, and appears in the April issue of the journal Conservation Biology.

The authors say that ecological restoration of bison, a keystone species in American natural history, could occur where conservationists and others see potential for large, unfettered landscapes over the next century. The general sites identified in the paper range from grasslands and prairies in the southwestern U.S., to Arctic lowland taiga in Alaska where the sub-species wood bison could once again roam. Large swaths of mountain forests and grasslands are identified as prime locations across Canada and the U.S., while parts of the desert in Mexico could also again support herds that once lived there.

The researchers assessed the restoration potential of these areas by creating a "conservation scorecard" that evaluated the availability of existing habitat, potential for interaction with other native species, such as elk, carnivores, prairie dogs, and grassland birds, and a variety of other factors, including the socio-economic climate of the regions and the potential for cultural re-connection with bison. The higher the score of these factors, the more likely restoration could take place over time.

"The bison is one of the great living symbols of North America," said the paper's lead author, Dr. Eric Sanderson of the Wildlife Conservation Society. "This assessment shows us what is possible; that with hard work and ambitious goals, we can restore this iconic species to a surprising amount of its former range over the next century."

(more)

[Craftsman]

1. They are very lean, high in protein and delicious

[Kali]

3. so are most range cattle

put a bison in a feed lot on grain it will fatten too.

[XemaSab]

13. Most plant and animal species in the great plains co-evolved with bison

Though I've backed you up many a time, I wonder what a wide-ranging, sustainable bison herd (or herds) would do to land use in the middle of the country. No corn, no feedlots... just a wide-open space with a native flora and fauna....

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Good eating indeed

[madokie]

7. Tougher than a wood haulers ass though

or every piece I've tried has been. I remember stopping at this buffalo ranch near here and bought some jerky, it was pretty good but my gawd they charged me $20.50 for a pound of it. I wound up throwing most of it away though as it was too tough, just like the few other cuts I've tried was.

[Craftsman]

11. I have has buffalo burgers and have loved them

[madokie]

12. I'm sure its been as much or more my problem than it has been the meat

Back when I tried cooking some myself I was a throw it on the fire and let it cook kind of cook, I've graduated from that now though. Todays menu is baby back ribs with our own dry rub slow smoked in our Big Green Egg for about 6 or 7 hours. Be using apple for the smoke today too as I like apple with pork. yum yum

[pscot]

8. Wouldn't you know

the first guy to show up would have his knife and fork ready. :rofl:

[Craftsman]

10. I am from TX and we have a saying

"All Of the Good Lord's creatures have a place in this world, on a plate next to the fries with gravy on it."

[Kali]

2. um yeah because they are so very different from domestic livestock

:eyes:

Funny how the Wildlands Project is morphing. All along it has been a plan to move humans out of the landscape, and change the system to a fantasy wildlife park that NEVER existed. If I were Native American I wouldn't trust those palefaces anymore than any of the others.

[XemaSab]

14. Range cattle are a way of drawing human benefit out of a landscape

without too many humans actually involved.

As I see it, the problem is that range cattle do need human infrastructure (such as fences and watering troughs), and range cattle can be a detriment to the natural landscape (especially in finishing).

The environment would be a lot happier if the finishing step was eliminated. Free range cattle are chewy, but they wouldn't be happy in North Dakota without a lot of input.

Bison would be a lot happier in North Dakota, and they would be harvested without the finishing. They'd be chewy, but you could cut them in with finished beef and they'd be more edible.

[Froward69]

5. A neighbor rancher to my cousin

was failing as Cattle prices were low. combined with the cost of Feed. = no income/profit.

one year his heard was decimated because of a harsh winter... the cattle starved/froze to death.

facing forclosure My cousin sugested Bison... ever since, with no worries of a harsh winter killing them nor the cost of feed for them. No real need for the vet to come out... As Bison are indigenous. that neighbor is doing just fine with his buffalo heard. (sells them to "Teds" and other buffalo suppliers)

he ONLY problem... Buffalo ignore fencing and roam at will. NOTHING will keep them from roaming where they want.

Personally I prefer Buffalo meat to Beef. BBQ-ed, Cheese Burgers, Sausage... YUM.

[The2ndWheel]

6. We can make ourselves feel better is about all we'll do

One of the great living symbols of "North America".

"We" can restore this iconic species.

A keystone species in "American" natural history.

We wouldn't be doing it for the bison.

[pscot]

9. It would be lovely if we just did it because

it was the right thing to do . But we don't really operate that way. There will probably have to be buffalo hunts as well. Some may hate that idea, but deer are the most heavily hunted game animal in America and the populations have exploded. You have to give people a motive rooted in self-interest.