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A Brief History of the BisonThe bison have inhabited most of North America for hundreds of thousands of years. In the pre- 1800's, the estimates of the numbers of bison ranged from 60 million to 120 million...with 10 to 15 million in the area now known as Kansas. If the upper estimates are accurate, the bison was at one time the most numerous of any large mammal on the face of the Earth. The demise of the huge bison herds occurred largely during the 1800's at the hands of hunters who engaged in wholesale slaughter. Often only the tongue, liver and hide were taken, leaving the rest to rot on the plains. It is reported that, by the turn of the century, only 22 bison could be found in the United States. A few conscientious ranchers took it upon themselves to save the bison from total extinction. Since then, the bison herds have made a remarkable comeback. |
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Facts About Bison The bison is an incredibly hardy and
adaptable animal.
Bison can endure the harshest of winters
and tolerate the intense summers with little shelter.
They are very resistant to many of the
diseases that plague the cattle industry.
Bison cows have been known to live for 42
years and bear 38 calves.
Bison bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds
and, in a few cases, up to 2,500 pounds. Cows are somewhat smaller,
averaging from 800 to 1,200 pounds.
It is truly an amazing sight to watch
animals of this size run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. |
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Bison rarely have twins, and when they do, often times one or both calves will not survive. However, on May 13, 2002 we were blessed with two very healthy twins. As you see above, they stay very close to each other! Copyright 2001-08; J & L Bison Ranch Web Design for Willmar, MN E*Tap Marketing |
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