I recently watched the impressive award-winning documentary by Ken Burns entitled, “The American Buffalo.”

Watching the documentary, one soon learns how close it came to the buffalo becoming extinct. From millions across the prairie to little more than 1,000 scattered across the West, the buffalo’s recovery is an awesome story of conservation resulting in the salvation of a species.

As a small boy growing up in Rush County, Ind., I remember the efforts of one very colorful local individual to establish his “own herd.” It was about 65 years ago, and the man’s name was Walter Farlow.

Walter and his hired hand and best friend, Charlie, farmed a few acres south of Moscow. Walter’s “ranch” may have been small, but he kept it and life in general very interesting.

Apparently, Walter had been reading a little history on Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill, many years ago, had a prestigious traveling Wild West Show. One of the top draws of Buffalo Bill’s show was a man riding on a saddle perched on the back of a bull buffalo. Some ancient movie film still existed showing the dare devil atop a huge bull buffalo ambling down a main street prior to a show.

Walter was inspired. He made up his mind he was going to be the first man since Buffalo Bill’s Show to ride a buffalo. All he needed was a buffalo.

Somewhere, someway, somehow, in the mid 1950’s Walter found a ranch out West willing to sell and ship him buffaloes.

Before writing and mailing the check, Walter and Charlie set about building a super strong, stockade style corral as home for Walter’s herd. It was a massive structure with 6-7-foot-high sides held up by huge posts and rough sawn oak planks. Equipped with a watering trough, open sided tromp shed and hay rack, the corral would make a comfortable and safe place for the “herd.”

Walter’s herd was small, consisting of a bull, cow and a yearling calf. It was okay as Walter’s primary interest was the bull. Walter intended to train and break it to ride like a horse.

Sometimes Walter’s ideas were farfetched… and this was probably one of the farthest.

I was 6 or maybe 7 when my Dad took me over to Walter’s to see the buffaloes. Peeking through one of the cracks in the boards of the stockade, I was mesmerized by how huge they were. I had seen buffaloes on TV but never in person. They were giants compared to cattle, and Walter intended to ride one of them.

I was told after the fact… somehow, Walter and Charlie were able to get a saddle on the bull buffalo. However, getting Walter into the saddle presented a problem. Finally, the bull got close to the corral fence; Walter saw his chance and jumped from the corral fence down into the saddle on the bull’s back.

Walter may have achieved his life’s dream of riding a buffalo, but it was extremely short lived and turned out to be more of a nightmare than a dream. There wasn’t a stop watch, and it is unknown if Walter held on for a full eight seconds, but things did not go well.

After bucking Walter off, the bull decided to butt and waller Walter around the corral. Finally, with help from Charlie, Walter was able to get free of the angry bull and escape from the corral.

                       

Indiana conservation officers promoted

The director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement, Col. Steve Hunter, recently promoted four Indiana conservation officers to serve in various supervisory roles throughout the state.

Maj. Brian Bailey was promoted to serve as the support services major. The support services major, along with the quartermaster, oversees the division’s facility management and human resources needs. Bailey began his DNR career in 2006 as a field officer assigned to Owen County, later transferring to Monroe County. He was promoted to District 6 corporal in 2016 before being promoted to communications commander in 2022.

Lt. Brent Bohbrink was promoted to communications commander. The communications commander manages the division’s 24-hour dispatch center and its 14 civilian employees. He also serves as a board member for Turn In a Poacher (TIP). Bohbrink began his DNR career in 2003 and was assigned to Brown County. While fulfilling his duties as a field officer, he has also served as a public relations officer, field training officer, drill instructor and K-9 handler.

Lt. Jim Hash was promoted to commander of District 7, which comprises 10 counties in the southwestern part of the state. Hash began his career in 2003 as a field officer assigned to Harrison County. Before the promotion, he had served as District 7 sergeant since 2022.

Sgt. Matt Porter was promoted to sergeant of District 7. He began his DNR career in 2016 as a field officer assigned to Vanderburgh County. While fulfilling his duties as a field officer, Porter also served as a public safety diver.

“These officers bring a fresh perspective and a vast amount of knowledge and work experience to their new leadership roles,” Hunter said. “We are very excited for what the future holds for the DNR Law Enforcement Division.”

 

Dubois County conservation officer honored by the Coast Guard

Indiana Conservation Officer Jon Watkins has been recognized by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for his years of exemplary service and dedication to protecting Indiana’s waterways since January 2017.

On Oct. 11, Watkins was presented with a USCG certificate of merit at the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) meeting in Chrisney, which is in Spencer County. He has served in multiple leadership positions of the Evansville, Owensboro, Henderson, and Mount Vernon regional AMSC.

“The superior performance, attention to detail and initiative displayed are wholeheartedly commended and are in keeping with the noblest traditions of inter-agency cooperation and maritime safety and security on and along our nation’s inland waterways,” reads a portion of the certificate.

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication, or e-mail to jackspaulding@hughes.net.

Spaulding’s books, “The Best of Spaulding Outdoors,” and his latest, “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com in paperback or as a Kindle download.