BISON

The buffalo (bison) herd is located on the North end of the ranch in a 50,000 acre pasture, called the Medano Ranch. The bison are managed as a conservation herd, meaning that they run as a wild herd: no branding, supplimental feed or weaning (as is common in cattle operations). Buffalo organize themselves in family groups that are typically 30 to 100 animals in size. The bull bison on the ranch run in bachelor groups or alone. Occasionally,throughout the summer the entire herd of 2,000 head will suddenly materialize out of nowhere, having traveled from all corners of the pasture to arrive in a fresh meadow to graze, much as they would have before modern man appeared in the American West. In the colder months of the year and during the breeding season, groups congregate together in a large herd. In winter they are usally joined by the large herds of elk acting in the same mannner.

Bison are gathered once a year, in November. They are sorted by weight and age to be sold for meat, tagged, vaccinated for bruccelosis, or sold to another rancher.