Bison Fact Sheet: Myth Vs. Fact  By Chris Sullivan

The objective of these opinions and statements is to help dispel rumors that are perpetuated by individuals that have not had “firsthand” experience raising bison.  This document is designed to familiarize interested parties with bison ranching.  There is no claim by the Montana Bison Association or by the author that the methods described below are the best.  You might think a method might be perfected, but surely the behavior of the animal can display itself differently and the outcome may change.  With Bison we are all learning together.  The following article is meant to familiarize the reader with some techniques.  Myths are displayed as the first line of each section.  The average size bison operation is 60 to 120 animals.  The following material is directed at the average herd size.

Myth: All Bison are difficult to handle.
Fact: Buffalo are wild animals that can become accustomed to living and cooperating with people.  If a buffalo is purchased from a reserve or a large ranch, it is likely that the animal has not been handled or corralled very often.  If that sort of animal is cornered or contained, often, it will do it’s best to break free of what it determines to be a threat.  This is particularly true when someone brings an adult buffalo from a large acreage to a small acreage.  Bison acclimate to their accustomed surroundings, as well as to the handlers they become accustomed to.  Once you have established a herd it is easier to introduce new animals to the property.  If you are in the market for purchasing animals, buy them from surroundings and herd numbers that will be similar to where they will be calling home.

Myth:  Bison are worked and herded similar to cattle.
Fact:  If you like to watch an exciting or dangerous rodeo, bring some loud strangers near your corralled bison.  It is a recipe for disaster.  Bison have a different thought process than cattle.  Cowboy techniques can be harmful when working bison.  Bison are best handled quietly, calmly, and slowly.  Many bison owners work their herd alone or with one other person.  Proper and efficient corral design is a must for working bison with any degree of safety and efficiency.  For most Buffalo respond to the physical position of the handler.  There are key times when it may be necessary to raise your voice or act more aggressive.  Do not expect to herd bison.  Patience in handling bison cannot be overrated.  A bison will herd anywhere it wants to go.  The key is to use the animal’s instinct to initiate its movement.  With experience “low stress handling” can be achieved.  

Myth: Buffalo are difficult to corral.
Fact: Many moderately sized bison ranches have their bison come into the corral nearly every day.  Corral training depends on the size of the herd and the size of the corrals.  Managing bison has been done many ways.  Some ranch methods are extreme and a bit fool hardy while some methods can be simple.  Unless you have a poorly designed facility, you can work with the bison’s habits and instincts and use them to your advantage.

Myth: You need a six- to eight-foot-high property fence to contain bison.
Fact:  This Author has raised bison for over 20 yrs.  Much of my perimeter fence is a 5 wire, barbed wire fence.  Generally, buffalo that have good grazing or feed are pretty much content.  If buffalo are content with the feed and the routine, large bulls can appear as nearly docile.  Fence designs are a management decision that will be based on the type and the size of each operation.  Many ranches now fence with fiberglass posts and electric wire.  That’s fantastic, but depending on where you get your starter herd, it may not be necessary.  A hot wire on top of a barbwire fence is always a good idea if you are budget minded.  Fences are a large part of protecting your investment.  Make certain the fence design if best suited for your property size and your management style.

Myth:  Bison are mean.
Fact: Buffalo communicate with each other with grunts, gestures, and horns.  Why would they communicate with humans differently?  Bison are not pets.  Even a “trained” pet buffalo can easily react to hormone drives or mood swings.  I know more than a few individuals that trusted their pet buffalo a bit too much.  Many have had the outcome of a hospital visit.  If you are out in the field with bison, it is always important to have a plan of safety.  Usually a truck, tractor or a skid-steer can be used as a safety net.  What is perceived as a pet cow or bull can change it’s behavior.  Calving and Breeding seasons are probably the times when hormones are more acute in a bison.  Sure, there are buffalo with bad temperament.  It is wise to not have bad tempered animals on moderately sized acreage.  For the most part, those animals make very nice bison burger.

For more information, please refer to the National Bison Association’s “Bison Breeder’s Handbook”.