The Bison Story
Giant beasts roaming the open plains and migrating in mass herds are more reminiscent of Africa than North America. But for several hundred years large herds of bison roamed the open prairies from Canada to the Great Plains of the United States. Bison, which today are more commonly known in America as buffalo, were at one time so numerous that their stampedes across the prairie sounded like the roll of distant thunder. This earned the bison the nickname of 'thunder of the plains'. But with the immigration of white settlers into the prairies of North America, the bison's numbers dwindled to a fraction of their original numbers, and - at one point - neared extinction.

The North American buffalo traces its origins to a similar Eurasian bison species, which crossed the Bering Strait in prehistoric times. From these Eurasian bison, two types of American bison evolved: the Wood Bison and the Plains Bison. It is estimated that at the peak of the North American bison's existence, nearly sixty million bison roamed from Mexico clear to Canada. The plentiful bison provided the mainstay of the diet of the plains-dwelling Native Americans. As the herds migrated with the seasons, so too did Native American tribes such as the Lakota, the Sioux and the Cheyenne.

Considering their dependence on bison, it is not surprising that the Native Americans held the buffalo in high regard. Organized hunts were usually conducted on foot and later on horseback. The primary weapons were typically arrows or machetes. Given that an adult male buffalo stands nearly six-and-a-half feet tall at the shoulders and can weigh up to 2000 pounds, the Native Americans relied more on brains than brawn for a successful kill. For example, the Native Americans knew that wolves would never attack a buffalo standing close to the herd. They also knew that for this reason a collective group of bison would not fear an approaching wolf. Dressed in wolf skins, Native Americans would be able to approach a group of bison without sparking a stampede and then make a successful kill. Knowing that bison will follow their leader blindly. Native Americans would also don buffalo skins and trick the bison into stampeding to their deaths over a cliff where other tribe members waited to carve the carcasses.

Native American hunting techniques typically meant they only killed what they could use; and their tribes used absolutely every part of the buffalo. The rawhide was used to construct shields, saddles and moccasins. Buffalo hair fluffed up pillows and made sturdy ropes. The brain was used for hide preparation, which was then used to make teepees. The rough side of the buffalo tongue served as a comb. The gall was used for yellow paint. The stomach contents were a proven medicine while the stomach lining made for great cooking vessels.

Native American folklore also speaks to the importance of buffalo in the lifestyle of the Plains Indians. The Cheyenne believed that all the bison used to be jealously guarded by a being called Humpback. Humpback believed all animals to be schemers, and he refused to let the buffalo roam. Another being, named Coyote, decided to trick Humpback into releasing the buffalo. He disguised himself as a helpless dog and became the favorite pet of Humpback's son. When Coyote was left to sleep in the buffalo corral, he barked and nipped at the heels of the buffalo, causing a stampede. The buffalo broke through the corral, ran down Humpback's house and scattered. For the Cheyenne, this explains how the buffalo came to roam the earth.

Another Cheyenne tale explains how humans came to eat the buffalo. Long ago, the buffalo used to hunt man, causing great destruction as the two species fed off each other. The magpie and the hawk agreed to act as counselors between man and buffalo to decide once and for all which species would reign supreme. The council declared a race between buffalo, man and the rest of animals. The species that won would have the right to hunt those that lost. The buffalo chose their swiftest cow for the race and as the participants set off, it seemed clear that the buffalo would win. But at the last moment, the magpie and hawk surged forward winning the race in the name of man. The buffalo cow, upon seeing her defeat, told her herds to hide, as now man would begin to hunt them. She also told them to take a bit of human flesh for the last time. The buffalo obeyed and they placed the human flesh below their throats before fleeing.

From that day forward, the Cheyenne never ate the buffalo flesh located below the throat. In thanks to the magpie and hawk for their help, they agreed to never eat them, but only use their discarded feathers for their most important ceremonies.

But the revered relationship between the Native Americans and the buffalo forever changed with the introduction of white settlers. Starting in the 18th century, white adventures began to explore the western portion of what is now the United States. With their swift horses and deadly guns, settlers found the bison an easy target. Buffalo hunting came to be associated with the danger and adventure of the Wild West. Bison tongue became a delicacy among Americans and the white settlers left tongue-less, rotting carcasses strewn across the prairies.

Bison hunting proved an effective political tool as well. As long as the bison were allowed to roam freely across the prairie, settlers could not use the rich prairie soil for agriculture. Another impediment to settling the prairies was the Native Americans themselves. Many tribes fiercely resisted relocation to reservations. Elimination of the buffalo herds would spell the end to the Plains Indians who depended upon them for survival. Therefore the American government actively supported buffalo hunting.

The railroads proved an even greater threat to the American bison. As railroads stretched into the western territories, buffalo provided meat for the railroad workers. The infamous Buffalo Bill once bragged that he killed 4200 buffalo in seventeen months to feed rail laborers. Once the railroads were functional, the bison destruction only continued. Train operators would slow their locomotives so passengers could sport shoot the bison from the train windows. The carcasses were never collected but left to rot.

By the end of the 19th century, the bison population in America had dwindled to only 800 animals. Shamed at having needlessly slaughtered one of the country's most majestic creatures, William Hornaday engineered a conservation movement. In 1905, the American Bison Society was formed to protect the remaining herds from poachers. The efforts of William Hornaday and his successors have rescued the American bison from near extinction.

Today the American bison roams freely along the protected parklands and private ranches of the open prairies. Although their roaming area is barely a fraction of its original size, bison numbers have steadily increased over the years. Today bison are estimated to number nearly 200,000; a number which is strong enough to ensure their survival.