An American legend
An estimated 50 million bison once roamed the prairies and open forests of the United States.
Great herds of bison from the Great Plains migrated hundreds of miles south in search of better
feeding grounds for the winter. Shortly after arrival of the first European settlers, the great
herds of bison began to decline. Bison were hunted on a huge scale for their meat and skins,
and were shot to protect livestock interests, and to help subdue the Indians of the plains. By
the early 19th Century, no bison remained East of the Mississippi, and by 1890, only several
hundred bison survived. Today, over 100,000 bison exist in this country as a result of private
and governmental conservation efforts. Bison are an important part of our wildlife heritage.
How they behave
Bison are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. They appear slow and docile but really are
quite agile and can run as fast as a horse; so don't try to out run one. A bison's tail is
often a handy warning flag. When it hangs down and is switching naturally, the animal usually
is unperturbed. If it extends out straight and droops at the end the animal is becoming mildly
agitated. If the tail is sticking straight up, they are ready to charge.
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