The Extermination of the American BisonHornaday, William T. (William Temple)
History
The Extermination of the American Bison
Hornaday, William T. (William Temple)
American bison; Wildlife conservation -- United States -- Sources
In regard to the existence of wild buffaloes in the British Possessions,
the statements of different authorities are at variance, by far the
larger number holding the opinion that there are in all the Northwest
Territory only a few almost solitary stragglers. But there is still good
reason for the hope, and also the belief, that there still remain in
Athabasca, between the Athabasca and Peace Rivers, at least a few
hundred "wood buffalo." In a very interesting and well-considered
article in the London _Field_ of November 10, 1888, Mr. Miller Christy
quotes all the available positive evidence bearing on this point, and I
gladly avail myself of the opportunity to reproduce it here:
"The Hon. Dr. Schulz, in the recent debate on the Mackenzie River basin,
in the Canadian senate, quoted Senator Hardisty, of Edmonton, of the
Hudson's Bay Company, to the effect that the wood buffalo still existed
in the region in question. 'It was,' he said, 'difficult to estimate how
many; but probably five or six hundred still remain in scattered bands.'
There had been no appreciable difference in their numbers, he thought,
during the last fifteen years, as they could not be hunted on horseback,
on account of the wooded character of the country, and were, therefore,
very little molested. They are larger than the buffalo of the great
plains, weighing at least 150 pounds more. They are also coarser haired
and straighter horned.
"The doctor also quoted Mr. Frank Oliver, of Edmonton, to the effect
that the wood buffalo still exists in small numbers between the Lower
Peace and Great Slave Rivers, extending westward from the latter to the
Salt River in latitude 60 degrees, and also between the Peace and
Athabasca Rivers. He states that 'they are larger than the prairie
buffalo, and the fur is darker, but practically they are the same
animal.' ...Some buffalo meat is brought in every winter to the Hudson's
Bay Company's posts nearest the buffalo ranges.
"Dr. Schulz further stated that he had received the following testimony
from Mr. Donald Ross, of Edmonton: The wood buffalo still exists in the
localities named. About 1870 one was killed as far west on Peace River
as Port Dunvegan. They are quite different from the prairie buffalo,
being nearly double the size, as they will dress fully 700 pounds."
It will be apparent to most observers, I think, that Mr. Ross's
statement in regard to the size of the wood buffalo is a random shot.
In a private letter to the writer, under date of October 22, 1887, Mr.
Harrison S. Young, of the Hudson's Bay Company's post at Edmonton,
writes as follows:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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