THE NATIONAL BISON RANGE
It’s estimated that about 30 to 60 million buffalo roamed the north American continent in times past. It was theirs, the land belonged to them and they belonged to the land. Some of the native peoples that lived on the plains were able to survive because of them.
Long story short, large scale killing by whites…amazingly large scale…began as early as the 1820’s, but most of the slaughter took place between the 1830’s and the 1860’s. When there were about 100 free range buffalo left, someone said “STOP!”
The story seems beyond comprehension. SO. MUCH. DESTRUCTION. OF. LIFE.
These animals are huge and magnificent.
The National Bison Range consists of 18,700 acres of prairie, forest, and wetland, set aside for buffalo….bison…to roam free. Over the years since it was established in 1908 many other animals have been added such as bear, elk, dear, and the like, to make it a more natural habitant . 350-500 buffalo are maintained here. They have their families, they graze, play, and live in peace.
Those little black dots are buffalo.
I watched them today. I saw the little ones run and play, I saw mama’s watching over them, I saw them move through the grasses looking for tasty treats.
Wow. What amazing animals!
I use my IPhone camera and there isn’t a lot of zoom, but you can see them a little bit better here.
More black dots…
This is part of the refuge, with the Flathead River in the background.
Another view of the reserve.
And this is the backdrop….The Mission Mountains.
The prairie is like a wild-flower garden right now.
A White Tail deer!
Ok, and I have to throw in last nights sunset. 🙂
This is the sun reflecting on the mountains near the RV park where I am. It only lasts for a few minutes…
Wise words from a wise man. All things are connected. All animals and people and the land and water and air. Have we even begun to understand what Chief Seattle was talking about yet?
**Tomorrow we head off to Glacier National Park! I am SO excited about this! I hope to post regularly while I’m there, but it will depend on what kind of wifi/cell signal I can get, or how far I need to go to get it.
**PS It costs $5 to drive through the Bison Range. Or, you can use your senior pass and get in free. It’s maintained by the Fish and Wildlife Service. I HIGHLY recommend coming here if you ever get the chance. Best in early morning or evening.
Wandering Spirit 
Micky, thanks for sharing the Bison story & pics. The Native Americans were truly a wise people who respected all living things…and the white man called them savages! The near destruction of the mighty bison was so uncalled for..and tragic.. and useless
The picture of the deer screams to be framed…what an awesome shot! And the sunset..the wildflowers..beautiful.
Have a fantastic time at Glacier Nat’l Part…look forward to hearing about it!!
Pat
Thank you Pat (Freespirit) for your kind words.
Yeah I made funny noises and the deer turned around and looked at me. I took about a dozen pictures then but I thought that one was the best. The buffalo was unaffected when I made funny noises. 😀
Great pictures. So glad you got to enjoy the magnificent bison who the first Europeans in America miscalled buffalo. 7 more days and we head out. We’re going to Glacier too but it will be about 3 weeks till we get there. Can you please post about the weather when you get there? I’m trying to decide what level of cold weather I need to pack for. It’s in the upper 90s here in north Texas.
Hi Reine, I’m glad you like the pictures. Not bad for an IPhone, I think. Just wish I had more zoom.
I read that about bison not really being buffalo..officially…yet I feel more comfortable calling them buffalo.
I’ve also been watching the weather is Glacier on the 10 day forecast and of course it changes constantly. Last time I looked there is possible snow for one of the nights I’m there. I’ll let you know what REALLY happens!
For those of us not as well traveled, where is the National Bison Range located? Thanks.
Hi Cat Lady,
The actual address is 58355 Bison Range Road, Moiese, MT. On the map it’s south of Flathead Lake about 10-15 miles west of Hwy 93, near Ronan.
http://bison range.fws.gov
Thanks. I’m adding it to my bucket list.
Once, we were traveling through Colorado and saw a few Bison in the distance. We stopped and oohed and aahed and took pics, then went on. A couple miles further, there were a dozen Bison right up by the fence.
Hi Pat, glad you got to see them! Once in Yellowstone I saw a statue of one right next to the road. I was so irritated that they would put a statue of one there! Then it started moving! I think that was the first bison I ever saw. I was so startled! 😂
The genetically pure American bison continues to be almost extinct, most of the ‘buffalo’ that you see are ‘beefalo’. It is believed that there are only four free roaming and genetically pure herds on public lands in North America. The herd at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota the Yellowstone Park bison herd, the Henry Mountains bison herd in Central Utah, and at Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Interesting information edlfrey and Mickey. I am so in awe of f these animals. Thanks for broadening my knowledge of their history and present existence…would love to make it there some day.
Hi Ed, didn’t learn that in the info at the Bison Range. Thank you.
I believe you can get a zoom attachment for your iPhone. http://gizmodo.com/the-best-lenses-for-iphone-photography-1769924280 is an excellent article. I would recommend a small tripod with the zoom for best images.
Yes, magnificent creatures, those bisons. Never realized this til I saw them two years at Yellowstone National Park, and I was utterly in awe!
Hi Eileen, yes, they are! So glad you got to see them.
What an amazing trip, Micky and gorgeous pictures. Thank you for a great post!
Hi Carmen, thank you, so glad you are enjoying our travels.
Hi Micky, wonderful pictures and even with your phone…I especially like the sunset shot, magnificent. I hope to be there this time next year. Keep up the good work, you have an awesome blog.
Hi Shirlene, thank you for the compliments! Yes, the IPhone, and it’s not even the newest one…not too shabby! So glad you are going to be experiencing this yourself!