Bison standing in his wallow, Yellowstone day 2, Tower-Roosevelt Area

In the early 1800's, an estimated 65 million bison roamed throughout the continent of North America. However, market hunting and poaching had a devastating effect on the bison population; and by 1890, fewer than 1,000 remained. Even with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, protection and sanctuary for the bison did not occur until the U.S. Army arrived in 1886 to protect the park's resources.

By the winter of 1996 to 1997, there were approximately 3,500 bison in Yellowstone National Park.

Photo 178, Sept 2007

Bison, Yellowstone day 2

On way to Lake area from Canyon (turned back half way)

Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae.

There are two extant and four extinct species recognized. Of the four extinct species, three were North American: Bison antiquus, B. latifrons, and B. occidentalis. The fourth, Bison priscus, ranged across steppe environments from Western Europe, through Central Asia, and onto North America.

There are two surviving species: the American bison, Bison bison, found only in North America, is the most numerous. (Although sometimes referred to as a "buffalo," it is only distantly related to the true buffalo.) The North American species is composed of two subspecies, the plains bison, Bison bison bison, and the wood bison, Bison bison athabascae, which is the namesake of Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. The European bison Bison bonasus, or wisent is found in Europe and the Caucasus, re-introduced after being extinct in the wild.

Photo 269, Sept 2007

Herd of Bison On way to Lake area

Photo 280, Sept 2007

Bison, On way to Lake area

Photo 283, Sept 2007

Yellowstone day 2

On way to Lake area

Lone bull crossing a bridge and holding up traffic

Photo 292, Sept 2007

Yellowstone day 2

On way to Lake area

Lone bull crossing a bridge and holding up traffic

Photo 293, Sept 2007

Day 6, Bison at Custer State Park entrance

Photo 684, Sept 2007

Day 6, Bison at Custer State Park entrance

Photo 685, Sept 2007

Day 6, bison calf at Custer State Park entrance

Photo 686, Sept 2007

Day 6, Bison at Custer State Park entrance

Photo 687, Sept 2007

Day 6, Bison at Custer State Park entrance

Photo 689, Sept 2007

Day 7, Bison on the road at the entrance to Custer State Park

Photo 695, Sept 2007

Day 7, Bison on the road at the entrance to Custer State Park

Photo 696, Sept 2007

Day 7, Bison on the road at the entrance to Custer State Park

Photo 697, Sept 2007

Day 7, Herd of Bison in Custer State Park, probably on Iron Mountain Rd, towards Rushmore

Photo 700, Sept 2007

Bison, Trip to Newburyport, Animals at a farm stand

Photo animals, June 2001

Bison, Trip to Newburyport, Animals at a farm stand

Photo animals2, June 2001