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Village Squire, 1980-09, Page 16DAYTRIPPING To the wilds of Oro township, where the buffalo roam There are few places left in North America where the buffalo, a beast whose existence is in danger, is protected and allowed to roam freely. The LBK Ranch, though, is one such place, and a visit to the ranch is the subject of this month's day trip. This trip will take you out of our area, but the travel can easily be accommodated in a day. The ranch is situated in Oro township, north of Barrie, near Craighurst on concession road eight. The LBK, which is owned by Bert Schumacher, is not run as a zoo. Instead it offers 430 acres where buffalo roam freely searching for food in the grassland and bush. Man's only inteference in the animal's domain are blocks of salt placed intermittently at the ranch. The ranch offers a one hour tour that takes visitors through the brush and grasslands. There are a variety of ways to get to the LBK. The quickest route is to make your way to the 400 highway heading north from Toronto. At the cut off to Midland and Parry Sound (400 ex- tension) the original highway 400 becomes highway 11. Take highway 11. The turn for Craighurst is no more than two miles further on highway 11. Follow the Craighurst road until you get to Horse Valley Road and make a right. Horse Valley Road will take you to the eighth concession of Oro township where you turn right. The ranch is a half mile down the road, and is well marked. PG. 14 VILLAGE SQUIRE/SEPTEMBER 1980 An alternative to rushing up the 400 is to explore the backroads of south central Ontario. One pleasant trip, especially in the summer if you're looking for a beachside location for a picnic lunch, is to pick up highway 24 just east of Shelburne and head north. Number 24 will take you to Colling- wood, where you take highway 26 east. Soon you'll be in Wasaga Beach, the gateway to a variety of waterside relaxation areas on Nottawasaga Bay on Lake Huron. From most of these spots the LBK Ranch is no more than a 30 minute drive. Your one hour tour at the LBK will take you into a natural wildlife setting where you can study not only buffalo but fallow deer, geese, ducks and elk. While the animals are wild, they seem undisturbed as the tour van passes. Schumacher recognizes the part played by the buffalo in our nation's history and this is one of the reasons he believes the animal should be pre- served. He feels he has come to 'know' the animals. The ranch owner does not permit any form of contact with the buffalo because he wants the animals to live as much as possible like their ancestors did. FROM ALBERTA The buffalo were brought from Alberta in 1968. In the original herd there were 12 head, but now 60 of the animals occupy the ranch. The proper name for the animals is the 'American bison', but 'buffalo' has become the popular term. The LBK Ranch, which Mr. Schumacher hopes will become a family enterprise. is named after his three children; L for Lorley, B for Bengt and K for Kirsten. A souvenir shop at the ranch offers reminders of the tour, although the strength and majesty of the buffalo is unforgettable. Unfortunately to date, more American tourists have taken the tour than Canadians, according to Mr. Schumacher. The buffalo is a part of our history, ,he feels, yet not enough Canadians seem interested. �_ Otv c \\ PR4RS NoTTPWPSRoA \ l3Py - \ \ \W RSRGR 6...^z" R1Ri,l C�`j+, T1�S CRA Mildt$1. "C' I:1.� 1: RAI1CH 400 EC. 13 WAIL 911I -ADE \\\ \ [FAST ‘ Ro�f ,e \ o 1 Two Rm.-a5 Ta TME .Bk $ta4 CAL0 R0.a01 1 _- _)› �AOlizie Y' 1 itou�c a - - - > J LWNG L— sNE aE aA To 1/ c-tctlEslE0.TORowZ PG. 14 VILLAGE SQUIRE/SEPTEMBER 1980 An alternative to rushing up the 400 is to explore the backroads of south central Ontario. One pleasant trip, especially in the summer if you're looking for a beachside location for a picnic lunch, is to pick up highway 24 just east of Shelburne and head north. Number 24 will take you to Colling- wood, where you take highway 26 east. Soon you'll be in Wasaga Beach, the gateway to a variety of waterside relaxation areas on Nottawasaga Bay on Lake Huron. From most of these spots the LBK Ranch is no more than a 30 minute drive. Your one hour tour at the LBK will take you into a natural wildlife setting where you can study not only buffalo but fallow deer, geese, ducks and elk. While the animals are wild, they seem undisturbed as the tour van passes. Schumacher recognizes the part played by the buffalo in our nation's history and this is one of the reasons he believes the animal should be pre- served. He feels he has come to 'know' the animals. The ranch owner does not permit any form of contact with the buffalo because he wants the animals to live as much as possible like their ancestors did. FROM ALBERTA The buffalo were brought from Alberta in 1968. In the original herd there were 12 head, but now 60 of the animals occupy the ranch. The proper name for the animals is the 'American bison', but 'buffalo' has become the popular term. The LBK Ranch, which Mr. Schumacher hopes will become a family enterprise. is named after his three children; L for Lorley, B for Bengt and K for Kirsten. A souvenir shop at the ranch offers reminders of the tour, although the strength and majesty of the buffalo is unforgettable. Unfortunately to date, more American tourists have taken the tour than Canadians, according to Mr. Schumacher. The buffalo is a part of our history, ,he feels, yet not enough Canadians seem interested.