Roundups _________image_________ Roundup crews funnelled buffalo into increasingly smaller enclosures, sorting and cutting the stock to be slaughtered. The Why And The Wherefore Buffalo National Park witnessed a strong and steady growth in its bison herd, estimated at over 5100 by March 1921. Increased hay supplies being necessary and the possibility of over grazing the park reserve were considerations resulting in the decision to eliminate excess animals. Male and female counts were almost equal, this being double the amount of bulls necessary for herd reproduction. Thusly, it was the older bulls that were chosen for slaughter in the fall of 1922, most of his meat being used as pemmican, which is a mixture of dried buffalo meat and fat. An abbatoir, bunkhouse and barn were built southwest of Park Farm in the northern part of the winter range. At this location the initial 264 bison were shot and butchered. Inspection by government officials disclosed 75% of the slaughtered animals showed signs of tuberculosis. This information remained unpublicized, unfit meat being destroyed. Inspectors’ proposals advised the destruction of older animals whenever possible and improved winter feeding arrangements. And so began herd reduction procedures which included scheduled roundups to secure selected animals for slaughter. The Market Since buffalo had been protected for several years by legislation and conservation methods, public demand for hides, meat and trophy heads was high. To enhance sales, the National Parks Service issued pamphlets containing recipes for cooking buffalo meat and preparing pemmican. Northern Canada proved to be an interested consumer of pemmican, this being a prominent food in native diets. Buffalo hides were utilized as winter coats for the Canadian Mounted Police and warm robes for many snowbound travelers. The larger, older bulls provided prime trophy heads, requiring more of the cape growth to be preserved. Usables from head, horns and bones were made into fertilizer and various other products. There also existed a market for live buffalo. Many were shipped across the world as gifts from Canada or purchased show animals. Also between 1925 and 1928, over 6600 young animals were dispersed to Wood Buffalo Park in the Northwest Territories, establishing a strong new herd in this region.