130 BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 



The Buffalo Herd. 



So much scientific interest centers in the fast disappearing and al' 

 most extinct buffalo that a few words on the herd now roaming the plains 

 in the Mission valley may not be out of place. 



The buffalo herd ranges in the Mission valley, west of the main trav- 

 elled road. They may be on either side or both sides of the Pend d'Oreille 

 river. West from Stinger's ranch, twelve miles from the lake, is a 

 large butte, rising from the plain. Near this some of the buffalo are 

 quite likely to be found. Leaving the road at or near Stinger's the 

 visitor may see the herd with a couple of hours travel. It is not likely 

 the entire herd may be seen in one place. 



Eighteen years ago, in 1884, Charles Allard and Michel Pablo bought 

 of an Indian named Samuel ten head of buffalo, which the Indian brought 

 from east of the Rocky Mountains. From "Buffalo" Jones, in Nebraska, 

 th"y purchased 44 head, 18 of which were graded stock. From this be- 

 girning of 36 full blooded and 18 graded animals the present herd has 

 descended. 



At the present writing, February, 1902, there are on the reserve 220 

 full biooderi and 65 graded animals. During the past year there havo 

 been sold nearly one hundred animals. In the years past others have 

 been .sold, but the number is not determined. 



Twenty-seven head were sold to Conrad of Kalispell, and are now 

 cared for on Conrad's ranch. Between 40 and 50 are said to have been 

 «old to a company, the majority to stay on the Reservation, the others to 

 be used in the show business. Several were sold to Iowa parties.* 



In IPOI 65 calves were added to the herd. About half are reporte.l 

 to be males. Many of the males are castrated. About half the cows 

 are said to have ca.Ives each year. The cows do not have calves until 

 they are four or five years of age. It is claimed that the fertility of the 

 herd is rot decreasing. A portion of the calves die or are killed, about 

 the same pio]G;iion as for ordinary cattle on the range. 



A calf not over 30 seconds born was upon its feet, and not over 20 

 minutes old showed fight, as stated by Joseph Allard, who owned it. 



Half-breed cows are fertile, either with buffalo or cattle. Half- 

 breed bulls have not been tried and are not reported. 



The stags show many differences in build from bulls. The prin- 

 cipal difference to be noticed is in the horns, which are longer, probably 

 larger, staiicirg out faither from the head. 



Twenty-seven of these animals were recently taken to Plains in order 

 that two might be selected from the number. Five men were driving the 

 animals, and even then a half dozen got away. They would not follow 



* 25 were sold in the fall of 1902 for use in the Yellowstone Park. In 

 October the guardian of the minor children reoaested permission of the 

 court to sell 60. 



