“The Hon. Dr. Schulz, in the recent debate on the Mackenzie River basin, in the Canadian senate, quoted Senator Hardisty, of Edmonton, of the Hudson’s Bay Company, to the effect that the wood buffalo still existed in the region in question.  ‘It was,’ he said, ’difficult to estimate how many; but probably five or six hundred still remain in scattered bands.’  There had been no appreciable difference in their numbers, he thought, during the last fifteen years, as they could not be hunted on horseback, on account of the wooded character of the country, and were, therefore, very little molested.  They are larger than the buffalo of the great plains, weighing at least 150 pounds more.  They are also coarser haired and straighter horned.

“The doctor also quoted Mr. Frank Oliver, of Edmonton, to the effect that the wood buffalo still exists in small numbers between the Lower Peace and Great Slave Rivers, extending westward from the latter to the Salt River in latitude 60 degrees, and also between the Peace and Athabasca Rivers.  He states that ’they are larger than the prairie buffalo, and the fur is darker, but practically they are the same animal.’ ...Some buffalo meat is brought in every winter to the Hudson’s Bay Company’s posts nearest the buffalo ranges.

“Dr. Schulz further stated that he had received the following testimony from Mr. Donald Ross, of Edmonton:  The wood buffalo still exists in the localities named.  About 1870 one was killed as far west on Peace River as Port Dunvegan.  They are quite different from the prairie buffalo, being nearly double the size, as they will dress fully 700 pounds.”

It will be apparent to most observers, I think, that Mr. Ross’s statement in regard to the size of the wood buffalo is a random shot.

In a private letter to the writer, under date of October 22, 1887, Mr. Harrison S. Young, of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s post at Edmonton, writes as follows: 

“The buffalo are not yet extinct in the Northwest.  There are still some stray ones on the prairies away to the south of this, but they must be very few.  I am unable to find any one who has personal knowledge of the killing of one during the last two years, though I have since the receipt of your letter questioned a good many half-breeds on the subject.  In our district of Athabasca, along the Salt River, there are still a few wood buffalo killed every year, but they are fast diminishing in numbers and are also becoming very shy.”

In his “Manitoba and the Great Northwest” Prof.  John Macoun has this to say regarding the presence of the wood buffalo in the region referred to: 

“The wood buffalo, when I was on the Peace River in 1875, were confined to the country lying between the Athabasca and Peace Rivers north of latitude 57° 30’, or chiefly in the Birch Hills.  They were also said to be in some abundance on the Salt and Hay Rivers, running into the Save River north of Peace River.  The herds thirteen years ago [now nineteen] were supposed to number about one thousand, all told.  I believe many still exist, as the Indians of that region eat fish, which are much easier procured than either buffalo or moose, and the country is much too difficult for white men.”