THE ALLARD-PABLO BUFFALO HERD. 



MORTON J. ELROD. 



This is without doubt the largest herd 

 of American bison in the world, and con- 

 tains about half of the animals now liv- 

 ing. The total number of American bison 

 living is placed at about 600. The Allard 

 herd contains about 290. 



The herd roams almost at will on the 

 Flathead Indian Reservation in Western 

 Montana, in a section of country bounded 

 on the North by the waters of Flathead 

 lake, on the East by the Mission moun- 

 tains, on the West by the Pend d' O'Reille 

 river, and South to the Northern Pacific 

 Railroad. This area is some 30 miles by 

 12, but the herd as a rule is confined to a 

 strip 15 miles by 5, along the Pend d' 

 O'Reille river. A herder takes care of 

 them, being with them almost constantly. 

 They are thus closely watched, have be- 

 come accustomed to the presence of man, 

 and are seen annually by many people. 

 The herder counts them weekly or oftener, 

 looks after the increase, and keeps note 

 of the place of range of the different por- 

 tions of the herd. Such attention is neces- 

 sary from the fact that the buffaloes do 

 not stay together in one band, but scatter 

 in small bands of 5 to 25 or 30. 



From their mode of life this herd lives 

 as nearly free from restraint as is possible, 

 and gives a good opportunity for study of 

 this noble beast, now so nearly extermina- 

 ted. Among the animals are many old 

 bulls, with magnificent heads, horns and 

 shoulders. The story of their combats 

 would no doubt be interesting, and to 

 transport them against their will is a dan- 

 gerous undertaking. Annually the herd, 

 produces many calves, but as to the rate 

 of increase or decrease I am unable at 

 present to say. 



Very few people visit the Flathead 

 Reservation without seeing: the herd of 

 buffaloes, if time permits. There is always 

 something so wild, interesting and pathetic 

 in such a visit as to firmly rivet it on the 

 memory. The visitor is either mounted 

 on an Indian cayuse or rides in a four- 

 wheeled vehicle of such style and pattern 

 as his purse may command and the region 

 afford. In either case he must be accom- 

 panied by an Indian guide who not only 

 knows where the buffaloes roam, but who 

 has sufficient ability to round up enough 

 in one bunch to make the visitor believe 

 the herd is as large as is claimed for it. 

 The dusky lad. with his black eyes, broad 

 sombrero and big spurs, carries in his belt 

 a big six shooter and a quantity of am- 



munition, and rides his cayuse with dig- 

 nity and silence. It is not Indian custom 

 to do much talking. If asked where the 

 animals are to be found he simply points 

 his finger in the direction he hopes to find 

 them. If they are not there he takes 

 another direction, until a small band is lo- 

 cated. 



The method employed by the Indians 

 in rounding up enough bands to make a 

 good herd for the visitor is interesting, 

 and has its droll and amusing side. When 

 a band of a dozen or so is found the horse- 

 man starts them in the direction of some 

 other band, so as to unite the 2. Ap- 

 proaching from the right direction he puts 

 spurs to his horse, comes at them at full 

 speed, yelling at the top of his voice and 

 firing his weapon in the air repeatedly. 

 Such menacing acts apparently strike ter- 

 ror to the hearts of the buffalo, since they 

 fly at full speed, and, of course, continue 

 to do so as long as pursued. Occasionally 

 a cow with a calf resents such aggressive 

 acts and charges her pursuer to protect her 

 young. This act of viciousness on her 

 part has brought the whole herd into dis- 

 repute. Visitors are warned that the herd 

 is mean, and that a man is liable to be 

 charged at any time. By this means the 

 different smaller bunches are brought to- 

 gether, until the visitor has seen enough. 

 Frequently as many as 150 to 200 are 

 rounded up. As long as the Indian is 

 near the visitor the latter is safe. The visi- 

 tor may ride up close to the herd and 

 within a few feet of the old bulls, camera 

 in hand, to take pictures, or he may place 

 his tripod behind the wagon, so as to have 

 protection at the first hostile sign from 

 the enemy. But he may not take camera 

 boldly in hand and walk out to take a pic- 

 ture as he would of a bunch -of steers or 

 band of horses. There is apparent sin- 

 cerity in this idea of danger, though it is 

 reasonable to suppose the nature of the 

 buffalo to-day is much the same as it was 

 years ago. " The herd stands quietly 

 enough, the old bulls with shaggy heads 

 making a grand sight. The little calves, 

 the color of Jerseys, are scattered amonq 

 the herd. They are not unlike cattle in their 

 actions after being rounded up. To take 

 pictures is now easy, if one is not very par- 

 ticular as to the number or the position* 



* In 188^, when this herd numbered only 35 head. I rode 

 round them half a dav, and made a number of e^ood 

 photos of them. Charles Allard, who then owned the 

 herd, was with me.— Editor. 



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