History of Bison

Bison once roamed across most of what is now the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their population was estimated at about 60 million and they were integral animals for the Plains Indians, who used all parts of the bison, wasting little.

However, with the pioneer settlement of western North America in the 1800’s, the last great bison herds were diminished in size by the mid 1800’s.

Through the foresight of early western pioneers, the bison were saved from extinction.

Today, the numbers of American bison in North America are estimated to be in excess of 450,000. The animals are maintained both on private ranches and in public herds, with more than 90 percent of them owned and managed by the private sector.