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The Texas State Bison Herd By: Le’Ann Pigg Photo’s: Daniel Baeza
T
he roar of hooves on the plains of Texas was a common occurrence centuries ago. The creature responsible the North American bison. The buffalo no longer dominates the prairies in huge numbers as it did historically. Today, to hear the rumble of this historic sound is still possible in the Texas Panhandle at Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway. For years, this historic and genetically pure herd roamed the Texas Panhandle-Plains, saved for posterity but nearly forgotten. One of America’s greatest conservation successes, the North American bison now numbers
around half-a-million thanks to the painstaking efforts of a few concerned individuals who helped save the animal that is perhaps the greatest symbol of the American West. Still, it is a number that is a far cry from the 30-60 million now estimated to have roamed North America during first European contact. Bison had been hunted throughout history by many different cultures providing them with the necessities for life out on the plains. But to many a pioneer, the creatures were a huge obstacle in the way of their destiny making farming and ranching nearly impossible and supplying the lifeline to a people who stood in their way. However,
34 34 H HORSEBACK ORSEBACKM MAGAZINE AGAZINE--September September2013 2013
commercial hunting of the bison nearly brought about its demise. Bison hides were in high demand and one could make a considerable profit by hunting bison day after day. Relentless gunfire could be heard ringing throughout the Southern Plains at its peak around the year 1878. Legendary cattleman Charles Goodnight, at the concerned urging of his wife Mary Ann, captured a few bison calves that were starving from the loss of their mothers due to the great slaughter in order to start a herd that became known as the Official Bison Herd of Texas. The herd later grew to 250 head and is now one of five other foundation herds which form today’s bison www.horsebackmagazine.com www.horsebackmagazine.com