Saturday update: bison, salmon, dogs

The latest news from Ron & T of The Buffalo Wool Co. at RATH Ranch. Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more

Hello and Happy Saturday Friends!

Hope you had a great week, T and I are laying low and taking it easy for a bit before the rush starts next week. Got 3 weeks of long busy days, and figuring it's best to be relaxed and ready for the fun of the fair when it starts. It's a great time but takes a lot of energy to make it all the way through, and we are doing our best to make sure we have as much in the warehouse before fall hits... but things seem to be moving out as fast as we can get them in.

In more fun news, I managed to get elected to the Bison Discovery Center board, and am really excited about this, the Director Illana Xinos is a truly amazing person and has built a spectacular place there and I am looking forward to helping her and the team there. This is gonna be fun. Have a little story on this below.

So we got some Alaska stuff as well in here today, some of our friends who do some great things, always love sharing their stories.

Hope you enjoy it!

Ron and T and the crew back home running the BWC show.

From a friend ..and yes, I'm still laughing.

The North American Bison Discovery Center: Growing Impact Through Education and Outreach

Located in Jamestown, North Dakota—home of the World’s Largest Buffalo monument—the North American Bison Discovery Center (formerly the National Buffalo Museum) is a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the restoration of the North American bison through education and outreach. Founded in the early 1990s by local leaders and bison advocates, the center opened to the public in 1993 with a live herd and a mission to share the animal’s remarkable story: from near extinction in the late 1800s (fewer than 1,000 remaining) to a recovery of roughly 500,000 today as a keystone species and the United States’ national mammal.

Under Executive Director Ilana Xinos, who has led the organization, the center has undergone meaningful transformation. Xinos guided the development and approval of a comprehensive Master Plan that provided a clear roadmap for the future, streamlining decision-making and focusing efforts on long-term growth. In 2024, she oversaw the strategic rebranding from the National Buffalo Museum to the North American Bison Discovery Center. She described the change as an expansion of vision: “It is an expansion from being a ‘national’ museum. The bison is the national mammal (of the United States) but it is important to the entire continent.” The shift also emphasized the scientific name “bison” while reaffirming the core mission of restoration through education and outreach.

Xinos’s direction has prioritized expanding reach beyond the physical site through the “Museum Without Walls” initiative—using outdoor experiences, virtual programs, traveling exhibits, digital tools, and community partnerships to make bison education more accessible. Under her leadership, the center launched Critter Chats (a virtual series featuring experts), Bison Bites educational emails, a Guest Curator Program inviting public input, and Traveling Trunk exhibits for classrooms and communities. She has also strengthened professional capacity by hiring key staff, including a full-time curator and an Advancement Coordinator, and expanded the board with members from multiple states to bring diverse expertise in ranching, conservation, academia, and more.

Her impact is reflected in tangible results. The center revived its major fundraising event as The Great Bison Bash, continued popular family programs like A Very Bison Christmas, and grew membership. Xinos has represented the organization nationally, presenting at events such as the North American Bison Summit alongside Tribal Nations, conservationists, ranchers, and educators on topics including restoration, grasslands management, climate resilience, and Tribal buffalo programs. Board leaders have publicly recognized her tireless dedication and passion, noting that the organization has flourished through her commitment. I am really excited to be joining this amazing team... such a great cause, and I ready to help do what I can.

Visitors experience the bison story through an introductory film, interactive and rotating exhibits covering natural history, cultural significance, ecology, and conservation success. A children’s Bison Calf Play Area engages younger guests. On-site, guests can view the center’s herds from an observation deck or join guided pasture tours for closer looks. Additional offerings include a gift shop, virtual programming, an AI tool called My Bison Buddy for quick questions, and special events.Through Xinos’s steady leadership—rooted in strategic planning, broader outreach, stronger partnerships, and a clear focus on the bison’s cultural, ecological, and restorative importance—the North American Bison Discovery Center has evolved from a local museum into a more dynamic regional and national resource for education and advocacy. For hours, admission or to plan a visit, see bisoncenter.org.

please consider becoming a member, it's a great organization doing good work.

Become a Member and support the Bison Center

Sleepy Bay Salmon: Exceptional Sustainable Copper River Salmon from a Family We Trust and really love hanging out with.

In the pristine waters of Alaska’s Copper River and Prince William Sound, Sleepy Bay Salmon delivers some of the finest wild salmon available. This family-run operation, led by Captain TJ and the Gall family, harvests Chinook (King), Sockeye, and Coho salmon known for their rich flavor, high fat content, and firm texture—qualities built during the fish’s long, demanding migration from rich ocean feeding grounds to spawning areas. I know this isn't bison, but doing what they do is incredibly difficult and dangerous too. Some of the videos TJ shares are pretty wild... huge waves and lot's of crazy water. He does it was style and grace though... lost a boat last year, and are back at it in full swing. My plan this July was to go deckhand for him, but as usual, I couldn't get my act together. Maybe next year... I really want to do it.

What sets their product apart is careful handling from boat to door. They use cork-lined nets that reduce stress and damage to the fish, a water-bleeding process for maximum freshness, and rapid flash-freezing to lock in quality. The result is salmon that arrives in excellent condition, whether for home cooks or wholesale buyers, with the deep color, buttery mouthfeel, and omega-3 richness that Copper River fish are celebrated for. You can't beat it ... only problem is you will not be able to eat factory farmed salmon once you try this.

Sustainability is central to how they work. As stewards of the Prince William Sound, Sleepy Bay Salmon prioritizes selective harvesting methods that minimize bycatch and protect the local ecosystem. Their practices reflect a longstanding connection to the region, including ties to the Chenega community and a multi-generational fishing heritage. They emphasize responsible resource management so these waters and fisheries can continue supporting both people and wildlife.

Beyond the product, the people behind Sleepy Bay Salmon make the difference. The Gall family operates with genuine care, transparency, and a deep respect for the resource and their customers. They are wonderful people and great friends of ours—reliable, passionate about their craft, and a pleasure to know. Supporting them means choosing high-quality, sustainably harvested salmon while standing behind a small, family business that values both excellence and the long-term health of Alaska’s waters.If you’re looking for wild Alaskan salmon that delivers on taste, texture, and responsible sourcing, Sleepy Bay Salmon is an outstanding choice.

Visit sleepybaysalmon.com to explore their offerings and taste the difference that careful, family-led harvesting makes.

Dad and I had a wonderful time fishing with them last weekend.

Meet the Mushers and Dogs at Turning Heads Kennel

in Seward, AlaskaIn Seward, Alaska, Turning Heads Kennel is a working Iditarod racing kennel run by Travis Beals and Sarah Stokey. Travis, a lifelong Alaskan musher, has completed the Iditarod multiple times (including a strong second-place finish in 2026) and has earned awards for excellent dog care and sportsmanship. The kennel is home to a team of Alaskan huskies trained for long-distance racing while also welcoming visitors.

Our dear friend, musher Hunter Keefe, who grew up in Michigan dreaming of racing dogs in Alaska, is part of the crew. He has raced events including the Iditarod and helps share the day-to-day life of the kennel with guests, whether at the home base or supporting glacier operations. Just the nicest guy as well.... always seems to bring home the Humantarian award from most races. Truly love this guy.

Visitors can experience the kennel firsthand through small-group summer tours (typically late May through early September). You’ll meet and pet the energetic sled dogs, cuddle any available puppies, learn about training, commands like “gee” and “haw,” and daily care, then climb aboard a wheeled cart for a thrilling ride pulled by a team of dogs along wooded trails. The experience is hands-on, educational, and family-friendly, lasting about 75–90 minutes. Complementary shuttle options are often available from Seward-area hotels.For an even more unique adventure, helicopter tours take guests up to a snowy camp on Godwin Glacier for summer sled dog rides on actual snow. Winter tours are also offered in other locations.Turning Heads Kennel combines authentic racing kennel life with accessible visitor experiences. To book a tour, pet the dogs, and enjoy a ride behind the pups, visit turningheadskennel.com or check current availability for Seward departures. It’s a memorable way to connect with Alaska’s sled dog culture.

Check out the kennel and crew