These States Have the Most Bison in America

Bison are the largest land mammals in North America, with males reaching up to 2,000 pounds. Bison are easily distinguished by their dark brown appearance, huge heads, and distinctive horns. They mainly live in grasslands and plains and once roamed the land in vast herds. However, they were hunted almost to extinction in many places, but after years of conservation work, they have successfully made a comeback. With that in mind, let’s discover the states that have the most bison in America!

8. Kansas

The first state on the list is Kansas, which is home to approximately 5,700 bison. Also the state animal, bison inhabits numerous ranches and national parks across the state. The largest public herd in the state consists of around 200 animals and inhabits the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. However, the other significant herd in the state is located at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. This herd has 100 animals and is one of the first “satellite herds” set up in the state by the National Park Service to combat a dwindling gene pool.

7. Wisconsin

Taking the next position is Wisconsin, with approximately 5,900 bison. The vast majority of these are actually located on private farms. However, there is one small herd that lives at the Sandhill State Wildlife Area. The herd consists of around 15 bison and has access to 260 acres along the Trumpeter Trail. The bison at Sandhill are actually descendants of the bison that were purchased in the 1940s by Wallace Grange, the then-owner of the area, more than 100 years after they were extirpated from the state.

6. Texas

Next is Texas, with around 7,500 bison. Although there are several private and public herds in the state, one of the biggest is the herd at Caprock Canyons State Park. The herd consists of around 240 individual animals and is classed as the official state herd. The herd roams across 700 acres and can be observed both from walking and driving routes across the park.

5. Wyoming

Wyoming is home to approximately 9,755 bison, with many of them living in Yellowstone National Park. There are approximately 3,000 to 6,000 bison living within Yellowstone, across its entire range. However, a large proportion of these inhabit the area within Wyoming’s state boundary. It is considered to be one of the best places in the entire United States to observe bison in the wild.

4. Colorado

The next state on the list is Colorado, with 11,100 bison. Although once hunted almost to extinction in the state, bison have successfully made a comeback in Colorado. Efforts to reintroduce bison to Colorado began at the beginning of the twentieth century, and there are now several established herds in the state. One of the best places to see bison in the state is at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is free to visit and is home to approximately 180 bison.

3. Montana

The third-placed state is Montana, which is home to 19,150 bison. There are several places to see bison in the wild in the state, but undoubtedly one of the best is Yellowstone National Park. In total, the national park (across its entire area) is home to between 3,000 and 6,000 bison. However, another popular area is the Bison Range, which is a conservation area that is home to a herd of around 350 bison. There are several driving and walking routes across the range, which all offer the chance to see bison in their natural habitat, along with many other native species, such as pronghorns, elk, and bears.

2. Nebraska

Coming in at the second position is Nebraska, with around 28,000 bison. Although the state does have a sizeable population today, it was once much greater, with huge herds inhabiting the state in the 1800s. Today, one of the best places to see bison in the wild in Nebraska is the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The area spans 19,131 acres and is home to a herd of 350 animals. It is an excellent place to see newborn calves in the spring and early summer.

1. South Dakota

The state with the most bison in the United States is South Dakota, with an approximate population of 30,000. Although many live in private herds, there are still plenty of areas where you can view them in their natural habitat. One of the largest herds in the state inhabits Custer State Park where approximately 1,400 bison roam across 71,000 acres. The park features a Bison Center which includes educational information about the history of the herd. There’s also a herd of 450 bison in the Badlands National Park, with the southeastern region of the park being their main location.

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