Sunday, November 28, 2004

As you well know, buffalo are our business. I don’t just mean in a strictly commercial sense. I mean that it behooves us to know something about them for entirely other reasons: there is always a safety concern; there is a concern about the dynamics of the herd in motion, their powerful herd bonding instinct. I mention these two things because I understand that a lot of people, whether or not they are our clients or customers of Wild Idea, vacation in places where they may encounter a buffalo herd: in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks or at the Great Salt Lake’s Antelope Island State Park or South Dakota’s Custer State Park or the Wichita Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (where I hail from) in southwest Oklahoma. Or, for that matter, here at the ranch; so I want to try to give you a better idea of what you are looking at when you see it. And when you snap that perfect buffalo picture and want you to remain safe.

Upon entering any of the parks and refuges that have a buffalo herd, you will see a roadside sign informing you that the American Bison is a wild animal and , therefore, can be extremely dangerous, and you will be cautioned to remain in your vehicle. This advice is good, unless you happen to be riding a bicycle or hiking and come upon buffalo crossing your path. Discretion will tell you to wait quietly at a safe distance until they have passed. Should they decide to camp out for an extended period on the trail, impatient discretion dictates that you move to one side and around the animals. The trick is to maintain that “safe” distance. The buffalo’s personal space varies, but the idea is to be sure that your presence has almost no effect on the herd or its individual members. They may notice you and choose to ignore you; they may notice you and move away from you; they may notice you and turn toward you. That first response is what you are looking for. Anything other than that—well, you are on your own hook.

If you can remain benign, you will be able to watch them in natural motion, grazing or going to water, or bouncing like they sometimes do, just to change location. It’s really quite a sight. It’s thrilling in a calming sort of way. Generally a cow leads the herd. How she is chosen or how she exerts her status or influence over the others, I have no idea; but when she decides to go somewhere, the herd goes with her. When moving the herd, one simply expedites the move by recognizing the lead cow and gently keeping her pointed in the right direction without confusing her.

When the herd moves, whether on its own or having been encouraged to move, the herd merges into a group. Each cow brings her calf and usually her yearling with her into the phalanx and joins the movement. This movement of a three animal unit into a herd often appears symmetrical; so when the herd moves, the individual two or three animal units are readily discernible. The two year old and older bulls are less predictable. One can recognize them easily, but cannot usually see them as part of a two or three animal unit symmetry.

For the most part, the buffalo herd in motion seems to be relatively disciplined. That sounds more than a little anthropomorphic, but I don’t know of a better word.

As I said before, buffalo are our business, we have to know what is going on when we see them. That knowing helps us manage the herds; it keeps the animals stress free; it keeps us safe. I want to pass a little of this on to you so that you will have a greater appreciation of a large, herbivorous animal that looks placid and a bit clumsy but in fact is dangerous and can outmaneuver and outrun most horses. Taking your time and being observant can do for you what it does for us here on the ranch -- provide untold hours of pleasure beyond the business concern of producing and supplying the best red meat available anywhere.