Learn about bison

While it's true that at one time bison were near extinction due to westward expansion and recreational killing of the American Bison during the days of the Wild West, there has been a resurgence in recent years, putting the iconic American symbol well out of danger of extinction.

Responsible producers and ranchers care about the bison population and preserving this majestic animal which is so engrained in our culture. The recent consumer demand for bison meat has provided even further incentive for ranchers to practice sustainable and responsible ranching to increase their bison herds. With the health benefits and tastiness of bison meat, both consumer demand and the herds continue to grow!

Facts about Bison:
- A mature bison bull can weigh over 2,000 pounds while a mature bison cow can weigh approximately 1,100 pounds.

- When they are born, calves normally weigh between 40 to 50 pounds. They are usually up and walking with their mothers within the first couple hours of their life.

- Bison generally have their calves from mid-April through June. Bison cows can have their first calves at the age of 3 and under the right conditions can breed throughout their lifetime.

- Bison can live for up to 20-25 years.

- Bison can run at speeds up to 40 mph.

- Bison are not domestic animals, they should not be trained and they have adapted over hundreds of years to live in the wild among the prairies. Each animal has its own personality and its own place in the social heirarchy.

- Currently, there are approximately 500,000 head of bison in North America.