×

Survivors from the frontier

Kim Fundingsland/MDN The American Bison can be found roaming in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, iconic symbols and reminders of life on the frontier.

WATFORD CITY – Bison are an iconic symbol of the days of the vanishing American frontier. They are burly and tough. They are an amazing animal in many ways. That they survived the settlement of the Plains and the West is remarkable.

At one time they were hunted extensively for little more than their tongues. As buffalo were diminishing rapidly all across their vast range special trains carrying shooters, not hunters, came west for the specific purpose of killing buffalo before they were gone forever.

Later, bones were gathered from the tall grass prairie where they once roamed by the hundreds of thousands and sold for whatever use a buyer could devise. Buffalo were reduced to so few that extinction seemed inevitable.

Today though, thanks to those who saw the value in saving a vanishing species, there are herds of buffalo in captivity, some on ranches and some roaming in National Parks. Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park-North Unit today will find that buffalo are one of the most visible animals in the park. Often they roam in open grassy meadows in the park, feasting on available grasses.

Their large bodies make them easy for visitors to find. Whether looking through binoculars, a camera lens or with the plain eye, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the massive animals. They are remarkable specimens, able to handle the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer.

The bulls can grow to an immense size and, especially during the spring and summer rutting season, should be shown the respect they deserve. Getting too close can result in serious injury. Bison rule their domain.

Not only are they an incredible animal to see, they carry with them history of days gone by. They are a symbol of an era when Native Americans roamed free, a time before fences and towns and paved roadways. Through it all they have survived and remain a living symbol of strength and a reminder of the history on the frontier.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today