My first exposure to the Bison world was through reading a book. Buffalo For The Broken Heart by Dan O’Brien. I had “retired” from teaching and moved out to Montana full time to raise Reining Horses on some family land. In this book the author described his journey through his own acquaintance with Bison after inheriting his parents’ cattle ranch. The ranch was a disaster—unsustainable, weed-grown, overgrazed, lack of water, no riparian areas, and no native wildlife. He discovered through his own research that putting Bison on this ranch would quite possibly save it.

 

I followed his example and applied it to my own acreage bought some time prior to starting a herd. Establishing bison on O’Brien’s ranch did in fact save it. Not only that—the ranch flourished with agrarian health, diversity, productivity and became a sustainable platform for the livestock. These results really impressed me.

 

Bison and their direct ancestors have roamed the North American continent for over 250,000 years—they are native here. Consequently they require much less human intervention to help them survive and succeed in propagating their species. They are very efficient grazers and likewise have very efficient digestive systems. They nourish new grass growth, do not pollute their water sources, and calve at warmer spring times of the year.

 

Raising this type of livestock built very well on my own foundation of ecological principles, and seemed to me a wise stewardship of the land. I talked to many Bison ranchers and none had anything negative to say about this growing business. Our land has lush grass, riparian areas, forests, and ample fresh water streams—in both Gallatin and Big Horn counties. Both areas have abundant wildlife that naturally co-exist with the Bison.

 

It is a privilege to work and live around these animals. Though we do cull those members of the herd that are not developing or producing in a way that would continue to improve the Bison gene pool, 90% of our animals continue to live, thrive, and interact naturally with their environment with little interference from human beings. You may also review the Q and A section of our website for further information about us and our bison.

 

Enjoy the taste and flavor of the original American red meat—It’s “Pioneer Protein” !