I would have to admit that seeing bison was probably the number one item on my bucket list. When I learned that the National Bison Range was just a short distance from Missoula, Montana, I made Steve promise that would be the first place we visited in the area.
Welcome to the National Bison Range Montana
As always, my hubby made good on his promise! I was beyond excited for a chance to see these legendary creatures in the flesh.
National Bison Range Montana
Entrance to the Bison Range
The National Bison Range is such a cool place to visit, as it’s one of the more unique wildlife refuges in our country. It is nestled in the southern part of the Flathead Valley of northwestern Montana. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but it was bison that we were determined to see. And we did see a couple of grazing herds, though certainly not all 350 that call the Bison Range home. There are also elk, antelope and other prairie wildlife on the reserve.
Our first Elk Spotting!
(CSKT) for management as federal trust ownership. This was a huge win and a testament to how working collaboratively to restore balance to ecosystems that were injured by greed and disrespect can make good things happen.
History of the Bison Range
We had a great view of the Rocky Mountains from the parking lot of the Bison Range
Back in the 1870s tribal members of the CSKT sought consent from Tribal leaders to bring several of USA’s last remaining wild bison across the Continental Divide to create a bison herd on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Their focus was to maintain a conservation herd and prevent the plains bison’s impending extinction. Permission was granted and those bison grew into a small herd that was later acquired by Tribal members Michel Pablo and Charles Allard. And they, in turn, increased the small herd into a much larger bison population. That Pablo-Allard herd was allowed to roam freely on the Reservation for decades. In the early 1900s, 18 bison from that herd were taken to Yellowstone National Park in hopes of increasing Yellowstone’s dwindling herd, which had diminished to an estimated 22 animals by 1902.
Warning! This tipi is home to a snake pit!!!
President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Bison Range in 1908, by authorizing the purchase of land for bison conservation. This was the very first time that the Congress allocated tax dollars to purchase land for the specific purpose of preserving wildlife.
Huge Bison inside the Welcome Center at the Bison Range
After many years and several broken contracts the United States finally passed into law that the National Bison Range would be managed by the CSKT as a federal trust ownership and that momentous transfer happened only a few short months before our visit at the end on May 31, 2022
How to view the range
Fabulous bison herd sculpture carved from solid walnut in 2003 by artist John Sharp
There are a few different ways to view the range. We chose the self-guided driving tours. There are actually two of those and we did both for as many chances to have up close viewing of the bison as possible. The Red Sleep Mountain Road takes about two hours, though it probably took us longer because we stopped to take so may photos. The shorter option is the Buffalo Prairie Drive, which only takes about a half an hour.
I’m standing next to an amazing pile of Elk Antlers. They shed their racks each year to allow a newer and larger one to grow!
There are also four easy hiking trails. Well, easy, if you are used to hiking!
How do you tell the difference between buffalo and bison?
Looking out at the National Bison Range Montana
Home on the Range
These lovely yellow flowers are everywhere on the Range
To be perfectly correct, there are no buffalo on this continent. What we have are bison and water buffalo, and the water buffalo is an entirely different creature!
Our very first bison herd siting!
Don’t get too close Steve. He looks mean!
Grazin’ on the grass
Bison have large humps at their shoulders. Their heads are larger than a buffalo and they have bears along with thick coats. Bison shed their coats in the spring and early summer.
Thanks for smiling for the camera Mr. Bison!
A view of the Red Sheep Mountain Road from the crest of the trail.
Breathtaking views in every direction!
Thankfully, the North American Bison have undergone an astounding recovery since the early 1900s. There are approximately a half million bison in existence today. Most of those live on ranches where they’re bred for meat. The remaining 30,000 give or take, are protected in National Parks, on conservation lands like the National Bison Range, and in private herds.
I can’t get enough
Rolling hills at the Bison Range are blanket with yellow flowers. April showers really do bring May flowers!
Found a couple more bison grazing on the short trail before we left.
Our last bison sighting at the National Bison Range Montana
And now that I have seen these majestic creatures roaming the land with my own eyes, I absolutely can’t get enough of them. I want to see bison every chance I get. I promise, there will be more bison in my future!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks