Vol 3, # 38

   Monday, April 12, 1999

YELLOWSTONE
WEATHER
Highs 50s, Lows 20s
Partly Cloudy
 

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Even though winter is drawing to a close in the Yellowstone region, the Montana Department of Livestock continues to harass Yellowstone's bison.  The following report is from Buffalo Nations, a bison advocacy group based in West Yellowstone, Montana:

The U.S. Forest Service issued a warning to the Montana Department of Livestock last week for hazing buffalo in closed eagle habitat March 31.

After watching video footage provided by the Buffalo Field Campaign of the hazing operation, District Ranger Gary Benes, Assistant Ranger Claude Coffin and Acting District Ranger Gene Hardin said in a letter that the video showed the DOL violated requirements of their Special-use permit by hazing buffalo with snowmobiles within 1/4 mile of open water prior to 10 a.m.

Hardin says there are no set number of warnings for violations before other action is taken.

Along with being a key area in winter migration for Yellowstone bison, Horse Butte is critical habitat for threatened bald eagles. In an attempt to protect nesting sites the Forest Service added restrictions to the DOL's use permit allowing them to operate their bison trap used to capture and test bison leaving Yellowstone National Park.

According to these restrictions, activities associated with the removal of bison on the Madison arm and upper Madison river are only to be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteers for the campaign filmed the operation involving nine snowmobiles before 7 a.m.

In addition to water restrictions, several areas on the Butte are off-limits to any activity.  However, DOL can get special permission to enter these areas on a case by case basis.

"They create restrictions to protect bald eagles but they can easily be broken.  There are no clear guidelines for granting special permission and no set number of warnings for DOL violations.   It appears the closures are purely political and there is no real protection for wildlife," said volunteer Summer Nelson.

Summer grazing on Horse Butte amounts to 172 cow/calf pairs bringing in less than $800 to the U.S. Treasury.  The Horse Butte capture facility has been permitted to operate during winter for the next ten years.  Eighteen of the 29 buffalo caught Mar. 31 were shipped to slaughter bringing the number killed this winter to 45.

Are you concerned about the protection and preservation of Yellowstone?  We encourage you to write your congresspersons.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo.(NPS) -- Spring weather is unpredictable; roads may be closed temporarily by snow or other weather conditions. Snow tires or chains may be required at times due to hazardous winter driving conditions. Travelers to the park are urged to contact park headquarters at (307) 344-7381 for current road and weather conditions.

This spring's road opening schedule is as follows:

Mammoth to Norris: April 16

West Entrance to Norris: April 16

West Entrance to Old Faithful: April 16 (Old Faithful to West Thumb via Craig Pass will open as conditions allow.)

East and South Entrances: May 7

Beartooth Pass: May 28

Tower Junction to Canyon: June 18 (May open earlier if conditions allow.)

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BEARS And Other Top Predators is a revival of the former BEARS Magazine published by Brad Garfield from 1995 to 1996.  Under new ownership and management, the new BEARS continues the former magazine's tradition of high-quality color photographs and informative articles of all species of bear.  The new magazine differs from the old by devoting about ten percent of its content to other charismatic predators at the top of the food chain.

BEARS has a staff of expert field editors committed to educating people about bears and how to preserve them.  Articles range from the adventure of seeing and being with bears to the science,  management and lore of bears  The mission of BEARS is to sustain and create bear lovers, to entertain, educate and excite people to join the effort to protect bears and the many species under their ecological umbrella.

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BILLINGS, Mont. (YNET) -- John Colter and Robert Frazer went to the Pacific Ocean with Lewis and Clark and had many of the same experiences. They both lived and died in Franklin County Missouri.

Robert Frazer joined the expedition as a temporary member of the Party January 1, 1804. He was enlisted to travel to the winter quarters and return to St. Louis with the keelboat and crew, but the plans were changed. John Neuman was reprimanded for insubordination and was sent back to St. Louis after his court martial. Neuman had been under the immediate command of Sgt. Floyd who died and is buried at Sioux City, Iowa. Sgt. Gass was appointed to take charge of Floyd's men, and Robert Frazer was selected to replace John Neuman as a permanent member of the Corps of Discovery.

Both Colter and Frazer were sent out to hunt and provide fresh meat for the Party. They both had Creeks named for them. They both fell into a creek with their horses, but escaped serious injury. They both sold their land warrant for cash after their discharge from the army.

Robert Frazer was the first to advertise his Journal that he proposed to publish. "Proposals for Publishing by Subscription - Robert Frazers Journal - From St. Louis in Louisiana to the Pacific Ocean Containing an accurate description of the Missouri and its several branches; of the mountains separating the Eastern from the Western waters; of the Columbia river and the Bay it forms on the Pacific Ocean; of the face of the Country in general; Of the Several Tribes of Indians on the Missouri and Columbia rivers; of the vegetable, animal and productions discovered in those Extensive regions. The Latitudes and Longitudes of some of the most remarkable places. Together with a variety of curious and interesting occurrences during a voyage of two years four months and nine days; conducted by Capns. Lewis and Clark -- Published by permission of Captn. Meriwether Lewis -- This work will be contained in about hour Hundred pages octave - and will be put to the press so soon as there shall be a sufficient subscription to defray the expenses. ---Price to subscribers three Dollars." Unfortunately there evidently was not sufficient subscribers to publish his Journal. THE FRAZER JOURNAL HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED TO DATE, but the Frazer map is at the Library of Congress. It would be a great addition to the history of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery if the diary were found. Too bad Capt. Meriwether Lewis did not buy Frazer's Journal, when he bought Sgt. John Ordway's for $300!

Governor Meriwether Lewis appointed William Clark Brigadier General of the Militia of Louisiana, and the commission was carried by Robert Frazer to Clark at Fincastle.

Frazer was supoened as a witness in the trial of U. S. vs Robert Westcott as part of the Burr/ Wilkinson scandal. Robert Frazer was strong willed and fought for his beliefs. Unfortunately his choice of fighting companions was not wise. Here is an example: The July Term of the Quarter Sessions Court in 1809 at St. Louis gave this report.----"The Jurors of the United States for the body of the District of Saint Louis upon their oaths present that one Robert Frazer late of the same District on the fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eight at the Township & district aforesaid with force and arms, in and upon the body of Jeremiah Connor Esquire then and there being duly commissioned and qualified as Sheriff of the same District did make an assault, and that the said Robert the said Jeremiah, then & there Sheriff as aforesaid with fists, feet, and sticks, did beat and illy treat, to the great damage of the said Jeremiah, to the evil example of all others in like cases --against the Statute of this Territory -- and against the peace and dignity of the United States." The lesson learned should have been "don't choose the SHERIFF as a sparring partner"!

Even with the faults and achievements of Robert Frazer and John Colter, Franklin County Missouri is proud to have the remains of 2 of the 31 men of the Lewis and Clark expedition buried here.

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