Mantle Rock Buffalo Project

May 19, a group of five buffalo wandered from a farm in Crittenden County on Weldon Road. They headed for a newly opened gate, moving before the gate could he closed by its owner.

They roamed over several sections of land over the next few days, stymieing the owner and his helpers. They proved the old Native American saying: you can drive a buffalo anywhere he decides to go. They were often invisible to those looking for them, or if they could be seen, they would allow a chase for a short time and then dodge into an impassible area.

On Thursday May 25, at about 1:00 A.M. they surprised a Kentucky Highway patrol officer by appearing in the road between Crane and Marion. Thanks to his handling of the vehicle, he did not hit any of the buffalo, but the cruiser was totaled.

The following day, a joint decision was made by police officers and the buffalo owners, that the buffalo were now a hazard to health and general welfare. On Saturday a group of trackers and hunters, with the assistance of the Crittenden County sheriff, located the five herd animals, and they were taken down.

The meat will be used for feeding the people at a cooler time.

Many had the unique experience of seeing live buffalo outside of a zoo setting. One family, when they were questioned by a tracker as to whether they had seen the buffalo in their area, responded "you mean a real live buffalo?"

It is believed this was the first buffalo roundup and hunt in Crittenden County in over 150 years.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to those members, friends, and local citizens who assisted in the effort.

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