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Bison can be viewed from outside the bison fenced units only. The bison roam across 1,500 acres of rolling land and are often not visible from the Visitor Center or roadsides. Binoculars are helpful. No hiking is permitted inside the fenced North or South Bison Units. When viewing the herd, visitors should pull off the road, turn on their hazard flashers, and park where they do not limit access to private driveways or Nachusa fence gates.

The Nachusa Bison

HERD HISTORY
In October 2014, 30 bison were introduced to Nachusa Grasslands. The herd came from three preserves owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC):

• Lame Johnny Creek Preserve in South Dakota
• Broken Kettle Preserve in Iowa
• Dunn Ranch in Missouri

The bison from these preserves were originally part of the herd from Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, Because the bison population was reduced so severely in the early 20th century, it's very important to protect the diversity of bison genes that persist today. The Wind Cave bison have unique genetic components that are important to protect and pass on to new generations of bison. The Nature Conservancy works with the National Park Service and other partners to protect and bolster these unique genetic lineages. 

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The Nature Conservancy is committed to keeping bison as wild as possible, within the constraints of available space and human safety, and with minimal veterinary care just once a year at the fall roundup. The animals breed, birth, feed, and care for themselves without human intervention. Weather extremes, parasites, potential predators, and herd social dynamics are all realities for Nachusa's bison.

Yearly Herd Size

Calves: 20–30 
Summer herd size: 120-130
Winter herd size: 90-100

ROUNDUP
The purpose of an annual roundup is to allow a veterinarian to examine each animal, vaccinate it, and embed a microchip in one of the bison's ears. Roundups are also a way to keep a current count of bison and to weigh each animal. Trained and experienced staff members and volunteers participate in the roundups each year.

BISON UNITS
A tunnel exists for the bison to pass from the North Bison Unit to the South Bison Unit. The bison use this tunnel frequently to go under Stone Barn Road to either the North Unit or South Unit. Do not park or stand over the tunnel, for this stresses the bison as they try to cross.

The general public is not  allowed to hike in the South or North Bison Units. Folks can park at the Visitor Center on Lowden Road for a possible view of the bison. Keep in mind that they can roam over 1,500 acres, so they will often not be visible from roadsides or fence perimeters. The Visitor Center supports self-guided visits of the preserve. Look at the Hiking Destinations section of this website for recommended hikes.

Basic Bison FAQ

Q:  Where do surplus bison go after the fall roundup?
A:   The InterTribal Buffalo Council has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to return bison to Tribal lands.

The InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) is leading an effort to work together with Native American Tribes across the country to restore buffalo to their lands. Since 2020, ITBC has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to transfer surplus bison (including Nachusa’s) to member Nations. The ITBC’s vision has provided healing and restoration for both people and nature.

Q:  How do bison benefit the prairie?
A:  Bringing bison to Nachusa in 2014 allowed us to see how big animals shape the prairie, and gives us a glimpse into what this land looked like during pre-settlement times. As Nachusa’s bison move around and graze, they transform the prairie landscape and impact the ecosystem in a positive way:

• Selective grazing — Nachusa’s bison eat a lot of grass and sedges and this selective diet keeps the grasses from dominating the landscape and therefore allows the flowers to thrive and multiply.
• Patchy grazing — This type of grazing leaves some grass high and some short, creating a mosaic of diverse habitats for more plant and animal species. For example, some grassland bird species like to nest in tall grass and forage in shorter grass.
• Wallows — Wallowing creates shallow depressions in the soil where small micro communities begin to live. For example, frogs use the water-filled wallows to breed in the spring. When filled with water, wallows also provide small amounts of drinking water.  Also, rare bees nest in the bare ground in the wallows.
• Bison dung — the dung spreads nutrients all over Nachusa’s landscape, which benefits the vegetation and all the other animals that live at the preserve.
• Bison fur — Some birds line their nests with the fur, which provides more warmth for the eggs and hatchlings.​

Q: How does Nachusa maintain genetic diversity in the bison herd?
A: One of the important considerations in managing a healthy bison herd is herd demographics. As managers, we can directly influence the herd dynamics because we can physically remove or add animals. The goal is to maintain a bull-to-cow ratio that expresses natural behavior, where bulls compete for breeding rights. When more bulls compete to breed, natural selection is ensured. Yellowstone, the largest free-roaming bison herd in the country, has a 1:1 bull-cow ratio. Currently, Nachusa’s herd contains 30 percent mature bulls and will unlikely ever be 50 percent male due to the challenges of handling many mature bulls on a smaller landscape.

Results from parentage testing our calves indicate the current herd structure is invoking breeding competition between bulls. DNA analyses performed by Texas A&M indicated 13 bulls sired the 20 calves born into Nachusa’s herd in 2019, which means half of the bulls present during the 2018 breeding season sired at least one calf. These results suggest we can meet genetic objectives with the current makeup of the herd.

We also have and will continue to bring in new buffalo from Wind Cave National Park as well as buffalo from other TNC and Tribal partners who have Wind Cave satellite herds.

Although we are far from being considered a completely wild herd, our management decisions complement the forces of nature which allow bison to be bison.

Q:  How many calves are born every year?
A:  With a herd size of 90-100, about 20-30 calves are born each year.

Q:  What is the correct term, "bison" or "buffalo"?
A:  The scientifically correct term is “bison.” The genus and species for the American bison is Bison bison. The term “buffalo” has become a common name for the bison indigenous to North America. “American buffalo” is also accepted as an appropriate name for bison. The term “buffalo” originated when early settlers referred to the animals, as they looked like “true buffalo,” which are the water buffalo and the cape buffalo, both indigenous to Africa and Asia.

Q:  How big are bison?
A:  Bison calves weigh approximately 40 to 60 pounds at birth. Adult bulls can weigh as much as 1,800 to 2,000 pounds, stand six-feet high at the shoulder and be 11-feet long. Cows can grow to 900 to 1,100 pounds.

Q:  How long do bison live?
A:  Typically, bison live for 15 years in the wild and approximately 25 years when raised domestically. The oldest recorded bison in captivity was over 40 years old.

Q:  How many bison are there in North America?
A:  It is estimated that at the time of Columbus' arrival, there may have been herds of 40 to 60 million bison ranging across North America. In the 1800s, extensive killing of bison, for sport and to make way for the American cattle industry, reduced the total number to approximately 1,000. In May 1894, Congress enacted a law making bison hunting in Yellowstone National Park illegal. Eight years later, money was appropriated to purchase 21 bison from private herds to build up the Yellowstone herd. With adequate protection, this herd has steadily increased until it numbers almost 4,000 animals today. It is estimated that as many as 500,000 bison now live on private land and commercial operations, and an additional 30,000 live on public lands, including parks and preserves.

Q:  Are bison dangerous?
A:  Yes, bison absolutely can be dangerous if threatened or frightened. They account for more injuries and deaths in Yellowstone National Park than bears. Bison are remarkably fast and agile — they can run up to 35 or 40 mph and jump six-feet high. If they want to get some place and you are in their way, you could be trampled. Bulls can be particularly aggressive during their rutting season, and cows are especially protective of their calves. In general, bison are wild animals and naturally avoid any type of human contact. Typically, they will move away from people who approach them within 100 feet. At Nachusa, our guideline is that, if bison move away from you, you are too close.

Q:  What do bison eat?
A:  Bison are herbivores and eat grasses and sedges. Bison do not typically eat forbs (flowers). If driven by hunger, bison have been known to eat twigs and tree bark.

Q:  What kind of sounds do bison make?
A:  Bison do not moo like domestic cattle. They make low guttural sounds which may be loud if they are startled or if a cow is warning a calf of danger. Bison can also be heard snorting. The primary way bison communicate is through body movements and various smells. 

Q:  Do all bison have horns?
A:  Adult male and female bison have horns, which are typically three to six inches in diameter at the base and grow up to two feet long. 

Q:  When do bison reproduce?
A:  Bison are sexually mature at two to three years, but bulls do not typically breed until they are about six years old. Bulls come into their rutting season in early summer, peaking in July and August. As bison have a 285-day (approximately 9 1/2 month) gestation period, calves are usually born in mid–April through May. Most cows have a single calf. Calves spend about nine months being cared for by their mothers.

Q:  What is the bison social order?
A:  Herd social structure is complex and always changing. In the winter months, bison form matriarchal bands (cows and juveniles) and bachelor bands of bulls three years and older. During rutting season, bulls compete for rights to mating, which may include charging and butting. This action does not typically result in injury. A calving cow may remove herself from the herd or stay on the edge of the herd. New mothers may form nursery bands, and mothers are fiercely protective of calves. In early spring, yearlings are weaned from maternal care and temporary yearling bands may form. Older, barren cows may also form "spinster" herds. 
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Q:  What is "wallowing"?
A:  Wallowing takes place when a bison rolls on bare patches of dirt. Wallowing is used for dust baths to protect bison from insects and is an important form of social interaction.

UPDATED 12/2021