Last week we had a couple of journalists at the ranch. They had attended the “Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up” about a month prior and were back out in “buffalo country” checking out how other bison ranchers operated. They arrived early at 7:00am with the Wild Idea harvesting crew, to witness the whole process. After 4 hours out in single digit temperatures, they came in for a visit over a nose to tail tasting of buffalo cuts. We talked about our beliefs and policies, our passions and motivators, and our greater mission of environmental sustainability, as we made our way through the buffalo dishes.
They told us about their experience at the Custer Park Round-Up. Dan & I have never attended, but have heard that it’s really something, with over 10,000 people from all over the world in attendance. There is an art festival, and food vendors. Cowboys on horseback, in pick-up trucks and helicopter, are must to ride over the 71,000-acre park in search of the 1,300 head of buffalo. Whoopen’ and kia’en’ sounds fill the air as the cowboys bring the stampeding buffalo into the corral grounds. It’s really quit a spectacle!
After they left, we buttoned up in full winter attire and headed out to move our herd of 300 bison from the 500-acre harvest pasture, into our biggest pasture of 1,000 acres. This pasture runs from the high flats, down through the old cottonwoods and along the river, then back up to the flat again in sort of a horseshoe shape kind of way. It is the pasture that leads into their 25,000-acre winter pasture, on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, where we would be moving them in a few days. During these last few days, we like to ride through the herd regularly, reminding them of who we are and where home is, before we open the gate that leads across the river.
The polar vortex continued to linger. Snow fell in the stillness of the night and on the day we moved the buffalo onto their winter grazing grounds, the wind blew with blinding gusts of 35 miles an hour. Through the swirling white and with the aid of binoculars, we could see the buffalo gathering on the bottom ground, a perfect opportunity to lead them through the gate. We were concerned with drifts and getting stuck, but thought we would give it a try.
We loaded the back of the pick-up truck with a bag of alfalfa cake (a hard compressed concentrated pellet of alfalfa and minerals), two cameras, and piece of cardboard for me to sit on. As we approached the herd I climbed in the back and Dan banged on the side of the truck in a native drum like fashion and called the buffalo; “Come buffers, come buffers.”
I tossed the alfalfa cake out from the truck in a parade candy kind of way, as we slowly moved forward and watched the buffalo come. Dan would occasionally stop the truck to allow the buffalo to gather and if I could still myself from shivering, I would snap photographs as fast as I could.
The buffalo trotted through the gate and got busy eating the grass that runs along the river. It must have been pretty good, as heads stayed down for sometime, before they seemed interested in continuing to the river.
We arrived at the river and moved away to give them some space as they approached cautiously. There was no whooping or kiaing, only the muffled hum of the truck, and the click of a camera shutter, whirling together with the soft grunts of buffalo and the chattering teeth of two appreciative attendees. It was really quit a spectacle!
Comments 65
Great. You be upstaging Dan’s works.
Jill, Vicky and I so appreciate you sharing this marvelous event, you made us feel as if we were there in person to witness such a moving spectacle! It was even more meaningful, knowing that I had camped in the very spot when I was there – may God continue to bless all of you in this holiday season! What you are doing really matters, and I know what a labor of love this endeavor you call Wild Idea Buffalo is! Thank you again for allowing me to roam free on Cheyenne River Ranch – it is not just about the rocks, the friendship I have with you, Dan, and my good friend Erney is one of my greatest treasures! Please give my regards to Erney and the rest of the Wild Idea crew> Your friends, Jim and Vicky Peacock
Will do Jim. Always a pleasure to have you here.
Beautiful pictures !!
I really enjoyed this. Thanks!
what glorious pictures! I was at the Custer Bison Roundup this year and was awed by the sight of a thousand bison stampeding down off the hill.
I prefer the nice and easy, more natural approach you take to move your herd, with dignity and pride. I am sure your buffalo feel the same way. I pray the winter months are kind to you and yours. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photography, the landscape, the wildlife, your herd, your words and your life with us.
I agree Gail. I also pray for a safe winter for all. I can’t imagine the harsh winters that they go through on the ranch….(I am spoiled in the Southwest…a desert rat we are called). God Bless Happy Thanksgiving!
What a beautiful reply, Gail. It sums up everything there is to be said. It would be a wonderful experience to view the moving of the buffalo at Wild Idea Buffalo Co. It’s hard to imagine how “moving” it would be.
The photographs are sensational. Thank you for posting them.
Awesome photos and story!
Thanks for sharing this slice of life. I’ve loved Buffalo since the 4th grade back in 1974 and reading a fictional “life” of a buffalo in the 1860’s-1880s. Looking at your photos, especially the one where they are coming out of the tree line, is like stepping back into that story.
thank you so much for sharing these beautiful photos of your magnificent animals. I am so glad to know that your animals enjoy a natural existence as they deserve.
Thank you for the care you take of the herd……and my family proud and happy to be having Wild Idea buffalo as part of our Thanksgiving dinner!
Fabulous photos! I am just wondering about the quality of the Cheyenne there? Do you have it tested? Red Shirt has bad uranium problems, and I can’t figure out how that uranium got all the way from Edgemont. My dogs drink from and swim in Angostura all year – so I think it is safe, but I am surely not certain.
Thanks
Nancy
Thanks so much for sharing such an experience…………almost felt like I was there helping………..Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Jill–what a gorgeous, evocative essay and the photos demonstrate the power of the woman holding the lens. Beautiful.
Beautifully portrayed! Fabulous! So majestic! So proud of you!!
The photos would make a wonderful note/greeting card assembly – just a thought.
These are some pretty fabulous views of the bison in the field.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Wishing you many blessings and a Happy Thanksgiving.
G
…..incredible photos-I am impressed-the buffalo people are beautiful and humans too-you do yourself proud to have such an amazing extended family-where the wild things roam-blessings to you ALL
thank you
Great winter Buffalo fotos
Great photos and story !
Beautiful photos! Truly awe-inspiring.
Some of the photos almost look like paintings…artist’s renderings. You might think of printing them, and offering for sale…I surely would purchase one or two.
Thank you John. I would be happy to sell yo a print or two. Thanks for your interest!
Thank you for sharing and I agree with all the other comments. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful rite of passage Jill. The photos are fabulous. I love everything you do at Wild Idea and we think your buffalo surpass any other. I hope the winter is kind and that you and yours enjoy a happy holiday season.
Beautiful pictures. Make me think of how it ‘used to be’ – so I love that you guys move the buffalo as you do.
Again, absolutely beautiful pictures. – Makes me wish I was there – but then again – I’m glad I live in the south.
Wonderful narrative and stunning photos – thanks so very much for sharing this with us! Wishing you all there a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂
Your photographs are truly awe inspiring! I liked your story and I think about how the bison are so fortunate to live on your ranch. I met you at Marlene’s in Tacoma last Saturday and forgot to tell you how much I enjoy your photos and your stories!
Thank you for sharing this event. Great pictures and notes. I visited a herd of Bison in Maine one summer. The owner, Maine Hunting camp raises Bison, Elk and Red Deer, It was summer and we rode through the herd in a 4 x4 gator with our Yorkies on our laps with bread in our hand (lots of bread). It was the first time I was ever in a herd and was quite nervous (as I cut and cook them in my occupation) Their tongues are like sandpaper and the heads are so big. I was nervous but they were so calm and of course loved the bread. It was fun, the owner, he visited them every day and knows each one by name. I can relate to your feelings.
I can not believe how cold it can get up there (I drove cross country in the seventies and south Dakota was cold in september. That is the reason I live in Florida!!!
enjoy you blog and hope you have an easy winter
The pictures are beautiful but I was wondering; surely you have more bison than we saw in the photos.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jim – We were able to move about 200 of the 300 buffalo on the Cheyenne River ranch that day. We left the gate open and the next day the remaining herd showed themselves out. It was at dusk, but I was able to watch through binoculars from the house deck. Another beautiful sight…
Cool pics, it is always fun moving buffs no matter how cold and uncomfortable you are
Thank you Dan and Jill
Great story! The only thing missing is a report from the bison about all this and you know this is possible. I have been doing that with bears and wolves and will try it with bison in the next several years on their turf! Cheers! Jim Herrick
I am a street photographer and have been for some time.
Your photographs of the heard are great.
I really like the one of the heard coming through the gate with the snow powder rising from the ground.
Thanks for sharing.
It makes me proud to be a customer.
klmphotoimages.com
Some of those pics you should offer as prints for sale. Fantastic! Or that would be a great promo with a bundle, no?
Thank you very much. I was in a dream like reality grabbing every word as I processed your experience in moving these great animals. It aligned with boyhood memories of feeding cattle in NE Colorado in similar weather conditions but of course, not with the richness of purpose and gestalt you have immersed your life into.
Best regards to all for the Holidays.
Paul Knowles
Thank you for the wonderful photos and descriptions. I so admire the way you manage the “buffers”. No spectacle, just respect for living beings who give their lives for us. And I love hearing about the recovering land.
I truly enjoyed the photographs, thanks. Wondering if the jouralists will be writing a story? Where?
Thank you for sharing. I totally agree with everyone’s comments. Happy Thanksgiving.
Looks really cool(more like brrrrr) especially from here in San Diego, 75 degrees today, shorts and sandals for Thanksgiving, I would trade turkey for Buffalo Ribeye any day though.
Enjoy the holiday and love the pics.
Thank you for this lovely pictorial and for withstanding the cold to get it. Loved it. Can’t wait to roast our buffalo for the holidays!
Thank you Jill and Dan for sharing so eloquently all that you do with the beautiful bison. So well written, you transport all of us to your side as you enjoy those wonderful beasts. They are so special, and how you care for them is certainly special. Great photos.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving—-enjoy your precious grandson on his first Thanksgiving.
Moving Buffalo – Moving photos and story! After years living in Nebraska I can feel the wind chill on my neck coming through my jacket. I can almost smell the herd and see the steam rising from their hot bodies. You are most blessed and so is the land and its inhabitants under your watch. There is nothing like the bite of that clean, cold air as it burns your nostrils and chills your lungs. I am spellbound.
Wow. You hit the jackpot with this one! I had to scroll waaaaaaay down to find a place to leave a message, which is – beautiful photos and contented writing. You described your trip so well, including the freezing and shivering. Thank you for sharing a happy moment with us all. We’d love to see more photos and hear more everyday stories. One of the best things in my inbox in a long time!
Starr
The photos and narrative created a vicarious experience for us – with you in spirit. Thank you for sharing and giving us another reason for the Thanksgiving season. Best to the bison…
David
Thank you for sharing. Photos are beautiful. I felt so at peace while reading this blog post.
We appreciate, Dan!
Good work with the buffalos, and marvelous pictures!
And, as usual, a beautiful literary style.
Thanks,
C & D.
Love, love, love the animal! Photos are inspiring, product is delectable.
Praying to our heavenly father in thanks for his genius and your good
luck for the winter.
Valeria
Makes my heart sing.
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for posting this.
Beautiful animals! I used to help herd bullalo on a Montana ranch as a kid in the early 60’s. They were wild and wary and uncooperative. Never docile and ignoring fences they were always on the move and getting loose! Quite the memories I have of them thundering past little ole me trying to wave them into the corral. You have a better system , I think!
I look forward to trying your product. V.L.
Wow! Thanks for sharing such wonderful pictures! They certainly complement Dan’s latest book, which I just finished and have been trying to visualize the grasslands, ranch and moving those beautiful animals!
Carolyn Miller
Breckenridge, CO
Great photography Jill, landscape, ambience and animals. thanks for sharing
Angela
I thank you for what you do. Anyone involved with saving “my world”, as my 9 year grandson says, has my attention. At the young death of a very dear friend we started eating free range and organically raised food. We have come to understand that the cattle ranchers and our government think only of the money and not our health and happiness. We vote 3 times a day. Only the dollar seems to demand attention so spend where it counts. The buffalo are beautiful. Thank you so much for the pictures and allowing others to vicariously enjoy your (their) life..
Much love and safe thoughts to you and yours from me and mine.
Our family is so grateful for the commitment you make to the land, the buffalo and people like us. The pictures are breath taking and I hope that maybe one day we can stop by for a visit.
Merry Christmas from the Bamberger Family.
Brimfield, MA
Wishing you and yours a safe winter!may all(incl.buffalo) get through it
well!!your beautiful photographs are prize worthy!!love the hotdogs
and xtra lean ground……….I wish that everyone raising animals could
do it with the same concern for them and the environment that y’all
continuously show!!
Love and good wishes to all!
Renate Fitzgerald
Block Island,R.I.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I guess I will have to get out there and take some more photos! Your support is very much appreciated! jill
Where’s the 2015 calendar, Jill? You have the photos (they’re wonderful!)
Then I won’t have to search for a new buffalo calendar. I can add yours to my annual WIB Black Friday order!! We want calendars!!! There’s still time.
Author
Good idea Jane and thank you. I’ll add it to my list!
Great pictures! Congratualions for them and the work you all do preserving the buffalo and the environment.
I really appreciate the greeat philosophy you use in handling your ranch.
Loved the book “Buffalo for the Broken Heart”. Congratulaitons!
Thanks for sharing . I really enjoyed the photoes and the article.
The snowy setting really made all the different in your great photos, Jill. I’ve never seen this variety of winter buffalo shots in their own world. What a treat. I too will be standing in line to buy several of your Buffalo Calendars, as soon as you can get those from the printers!
I discovered your website through Dan’s books, and then learned that he’s spent quite a bit of time at Carleton College, where I work as a grantwriter. I’m inspired by his books and all the posts on this blog. These photographs are amazing testimony to the buffalo’s strength and indomitability.