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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 16, 2021 15:51:39 GMT -5
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 22, 2021 10:07:41 GMT -5
Driven by the urge to procreate, Bison bulls charge and clash heads with any foe that would deny them their ardent desire to be the lord of a harem of cows. Built to sustain severe head-to-head impacts, their brain is protected by a system of bone struts which divide the inner and outer walls of the skull. These blows are also softened by thick hide and mat of hair that cover their skull.etherealnature.com/tag/symbolic-significance/
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 22, 2021 10:26:05 GMT -5
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 23, 2021 7:32:49 GMT -5
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 23, 2021 7:39:36 GMT -5
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 23, 2021 10:50:29 GMT -5
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 23, 2021 11:32:44 GMT -5
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 23, 2021 12:45:29 GMT -5
fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMALE01010General Description Bison are the largest North American land animals with weights over 1000 kilograms recorded (Foresman 2012). They have a massive dark head with short black horns curving upward and inward from the base. A large mop of long dark hair covers the top of the head. The body is tall and narrow (1.8 meters at the shoulder) (Foresman 2012), with a distinctive large shoulder hump tapering toward the hindquarters. The tail is short and tufted at the end. The legs are relatively short. Adult Bison have heavy light brown hair covering their shoulders and forequarters blending to shorter darker hair from their shoulders back. The head, neck and front legs have dark hair as well. In summer, much of the hair on the hindquarters is lost. Male bison are proportionally larger and more robust than females. Calves are reddish in color but darken to adult pelage by their first fall. Diagnostic Characteristics Bison are unmistakable. The combination of large size, shoulder hump, and short, dark, curved horns on both sexes eliminates any other large ungulate. Migration Bison migrate out of Yellowstone National Park during the winter and these movements are more frequent and involve greater numbers of animals during years of heavy snow when populations are high, generally over 3000 individuals (Chevelle et al. 1998). Recently, (1985-1986) harvest has resumed in response to Montana movements out of Yellowstone National Park. Bison at the National Bison Range are confined to the range and no migration is possible. This species previously made mass migrations across the prairie in spring and fall, with mountain populations moving to lower elevations in valleys. Habitat Because of restrictions, currently occupied habitat does not reflect the full natural range for Bison. Habitat consists of Palouse prairie and montane forest on the National Bison Range; the Yellowstone Park range is unavoidably at higher elevations with grassland interspersed with forest. Throughout their range, Bison inhabit open plains and grasslands. Woodlands and openings in boreal forest, meadows, and river valleys are used in the northern parts of their range. Like other large grazers, they are attracted to burned areas the next growing season (Shaw and Carter 1990). During the growing season at the Konza Prairie in northeastern Kansas, they preferred areas that had been burned in spring. Summer grazing was concentrated in large watershed area (79 to 119 hectares) dominated by warm-season, perennial C4 grasses. In fall and winter, they grazed both burned and unburned watersheds more uniformly, but grazed most intensively in areas with large stands of cool-season, C3 grasses (Vinton et al. 1993). Food Habits Bison are grazers and feed on grasses, forbs, and sedges. The massive head is used to sweep snow away from forage. They possess a greater digestive capacity than cattle. In Yellowstone National Park, sedges are most important in all seasons, grasses second in importance. Forbs and browse are minor components in the diet. Preferences may be related to plant phenology. Ecology Bison are gregarious and often forms herds of 11 to 12 animals. Cows and young remain in herds throughout the year. Bulls are solitary or in small groups until summer when they begin to mix with cow-calf herds. Home ranges in the Northwest Territories averaged several hundred square kilometers (Larter and Gates 1990). The life span of an Bison is 18 to 20 years with winterkill being the primary mortality factor in Yellowstone Park. More severe winters result in increased winterkill (Podruzny and Gunther 1999). Wolf predation of Bison has increased since their reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park (Smith et al. 1999). They may be becoming a regular prey item for some wolves, particularly in late winter and spring. The primary reason for Bison harvest around Gardiner is the perceived threat of brucellosis transmission to cattle. Reproductive Characteristics Most cows breed at 2 to 4 years, whereas males usually mature at 3 years. Older (6+ years) males do most of the breeding. The majority of mating occurs in July and August. Gestation lasts about 9.5 months. Normally, 1 calf is born mid-April to early June, with most births occurring in May. Cows usually give birth in isolation where vegetation provides cover. Isolation during birth is infrequent where cover is lacking (Meagher 1986). Brucellosis causes abortion and temporary sterility in cattle, but in Yellowstone apparently does not effect pregnancy rates to any significant degree. Most calves are weaned by late fall or by the end of the first year and remain with their mother until spring or later if she does not conceive. The life span of a Bison is 18 to 22 years. Management Management of free-ranging Bison in Montana has been controversial. The presence of brucellosis in these animals and their migration out of Yellowstone National Park into adjacent public and private lands has led to conflicts between private landowners, citizens, public administrative agencies and public land management agencies. Free-ranging herds in Montana are currently managed under the Interagency Bison Management Plan. Please consult the Interagency Bison Management Plan for details concerning Bison management in Montana.
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 24, 2021 0:52:47 GMT -5
Bison Bellows: Plains and Wood Bison - What's the Difference? About Bison Bellows: In November 2016, the National Park Service Biological Resources Division in Fort Collins, Colorado, began the 52-week long "Bison Bellows" series. Every week, "Bison Bellows" featured short articles—known as "Bellows"—highlighting stories centered on three themes: meeting the herd, meeting the people, and telling the story. In essence, it is a celebration of all things bison. Photo embodying the characteristics of the plains bison, most notably a declining hindquarters starting from their shoulders. In the 19th century, the Great Plains were ~500,000 square miles of prairie, steppe, and grasslands that stretched from northern Mexico to southern-central Canada. North of the 50th parallel, the boreal forest still occupies a wide swath of North America comprised of coniferous forest interspersed with vast wetlands, mostly lakes, rivers, bogs, and fens. At that time, the American bison once occurred across the full scope of these vast continental ecosystems. Across all these lands, waters, and places; were all these bison the same species, the same animal? Indeed, when are bison not exactly the same? Through extensive long-term natural history studies and scientific investigations, even to the genetic and cellular levels, we now understand that there is one species of bison that is comprised of two subspecies in North America and another species of bison in Europe. The American bison that evolved and lived across the vast plains and woodlands are aptly named - the plains bison (genus: Bison, species: bison, subspecies: bison) and wood bison (genus: Bison, species: bison, subspecies: athabascae). So for someone who really pays close attention to formal taxonomy, it is about as simple as it gets. Bison bison bison - for the animals that evolved and lived primarily on the Great Plains and Bison bison athabascae - for the animals that evolved and lived primarily in the boreal forest. "Athabascae" is a formal taxonomic name that recognizes the anglicized version of the Cree native name for vast Lake Athabasca and surrounding watershed in Canada, "athap-ask-a-w," that means "grass or reeds here and there." The photo embodies the characteristics of a wood bison, most notably its horns clear of hair cover. We now recognize evidence of sufficient difference between plains bison and woods bison to warrant two different subspecies names. But what are these differences? We expect that this variation arose due to long-term geographic separation. In other words, the plains bison didn't travel to Canada, just like the wood bison didn't go to the Great Plains. While at first glance, it is clear that both sub-species are large with brown hair and black horns; upon more careful observation there are clearly distinct differences in their cranial and skeletal characteristics and variations in horns, head, hump, hair, and pelage coat. Plains bison have massive heads with short noses and have clearly defined shaggy capes that cover the upper portion of their bodies. Woods bison, on the other hand, have large triangular heads and have less defined shoulder capes and head hair, and they have more distinctive and bigger shoulder humps. This subspecies distinction remains a potential controversy amongst some specialized professional taxonomists, who feel it may be important to argue about such things. Bison conservationists agree on several things: 1) multiple morphological and genetic characteristics distinguish plains bison from wood bison; 2) plains bison and wood bison continue to be morphologically and genetically distinct, despite some historic forced hybridization; and thus 3) wood bison constitute a subspecies of bison, and therefore, should be managed on par with plains bison. An eminent Canadian wildlife biologist once observed that "debating taxonomy does not absolve humans of the responsibility to protect intra-specific diversity as the raw material of evolution. www.nps.gov/articles/bison-bellows-2-25-16.htm
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 24, 2021 6:40:34 GMT -5
Weights from national geographic: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/american-bisonWe know these are wrong, because there are clearly much larger males than that. I already showed the 1,179 kg males, but there is also further data. One 1000 kg male from Foreman 2012 mammals of Montana. I currently don't know from where the 2,200 pounds bison comes from... But I'll check. Its probably quotes from books like these who just round up the number: books.google.co.il/books?id=YW9kWiCkENMC&q=Wood+bison+2,200+pounds&dq=Wood+bison+2,200+pounds&hl=iw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzufGvz_vxAhUyQUEAHVI9AowQ6wEwCXoECAUQBQ Anyway, the average weight for the Wood bison, depending on the source is 880 to 940 kg' with the largest wild specimen being 1,179 kg.
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 28, 2021 9:33:24 GMT -5
National Mammal
U.S. National Mammal
National Mammal of the United States
The many, many folks who helped this bill become law deserve the credit for not fearing themselves and accomplishing a United States of America housekeeping item and overdue symbolizing of the American buffalo for its sweeping contribution to American heritage. The American bison story is a gateway to lessons of the past, opportunities for today and possibilities for the future. Bison, which play an ecological role that’s undeniably intrinsic, evolved with this place, and they with it, but it’s more than that. The people of this place, with numerous and varied forms of civilization leaving footprints as they went, did so with a ‘hoof-print’ in the mix that history shall now not dare to deny.
Looking back on the process and life of the bill, it emerged as a bold gesture and statement that was met with fear, apprehension and territorial squabble. You would think I am referring to other choices for the national mammal supported by interest group pressure. While at first there were actually conversations about other worthy mammals, I refer to the struggles among and between the various bison communities. I was among the reactionary that voiced concerns loudly about what it might mean to my choice in land use, my herd and the industry, albeit cottage or niche, that responds to my production. Then I read the bill and learned; ‘the rest of the story’. The steering committee included the Wildlife Conservation Society [WCS], the InterTribal Buffalo Council [ITBC] and the National Bison Association [NBA]. This committee represented a ‘collaborative community’ conceived and realized for getting it right. Reading the language of the National Bison Legacy Act will cause any reasonable person to appreciate the diligence of the authors, not only on behalf of each separate entity to their own concerns, but to each other in kind. But it was more than that…
Each compartment of the steering committee had constituencies and complexities with messages that would be told in perpetuity as a matter of social precept. Many individuals within these constituencies went to work providing support for the bison as the National Mammal. Legs for the campaign came with the ceremonial proclamation of ‘National Bison Day’ each November. Many groups celebrated this day and contacted representatives and senators spreading the message in their own way and telling the bison-story that fit their perspective. Historical documentation and scientific fact served as a factual stronghold, but the truth about bison often tends to be subjective and there were many to choose from in the media. But it became more than that…
The process of considering the Bison Legacy Act served as a chance for all to hear each other’s story and consider how “a” truth fit in with others, both respectfully and accurately. This is the spirit of collaborative-community and the timing of it happening today, is good. Imagine if this bill was passed by both houses 100 years ago. Legislation for a wildlife species consisting of 500 to 700 head from millions may have resulted in their protection based on sentiment. Bison restoration could have been left to rely completely on the management of public lands and public herds which currently represent about 5% of the headcount in North America. Not becoming protected was about the only bullet bison dodged during that era, because currently bison live in a US-of-A that contains a highly diverse group of communities in support of the animal’s value and importance. These communities have come to openly and honestly include the consumer of bison meat. They shop and vote with their dollar thereby supporting herds and conserving the species for future generations. This might not be [as] possible if they were protected. But it’s even more than that…
The bison brought communities together in 2016 to regard with honor, and symbolize, a native animal quintessential to many American heritages including those in the making yet today. In a time of impossible congressional discord, bison becoming the National Mammal was accomplished. The list of people deserving credit will always remain impossibly incomplete, especially for those who worked their corner of the world when no one was watching. They wrote letters, lobbied for support and compelled their respective entities and groups to say it forever by joining the coalition. As luck would have it, and make no mistake luck was involved, the third time was the charm. Everyone involved with bison, whether they were involved or uninvolved, are (!) now involved with preserving and restoring the National Mammal of the United States. But it’s more than that now…
This legislation gives voice and ’15 minutes of fame’ to the bison-message more than 5,000 years in the making. Some will use it to feather a perspective, some will use it to capitalize, and some may use it with the help of the media to perpetuate controversy. Most will use it to tell the most miraculous of all bison stories available, which is a story of wildlife restoration within which all are not only welcome, but wanted. Private landowners, public lands, Native American, consumers of healthy food, science, agriculture, sportsmen, wildlife NGO’s and many others on a list becoming more and more hopelessly incomplete. I refer to it as miraculous for a reason. Believer or not; it’s nothing short of a miracle that bison still roam the American landscape today. They still inspire awe at a glance, as well as cause appreciation for all things wild and natural world. They are scientifically known in conservation biology for keystone species status, but I suggest that now, they are as much or more a gateway species. Bison provide a gateway through which people can enter the world of nature and find within that world ways to be ecologically sensitive and sustainable for profit. Providing ‘gateways’ for attention to learning, requires something cool or awesome or big, and bison posses those qualities. But fortunately, it’s more than that…
Bison [are] the National Mammal of the United States of America! Which means nothing, except being able to refer to them with that respect and pride. Congress added wording to secure the benign nature of the legislation pursuant to federal regulation. They will not become protected as a result, and all known and credible aspects of the bison-story are included in the congressional findings. It is well written and worth a look. It won’t affect how much grass my buffalo need or what it means to my wife and me to see them roam and do their thing on our land. It just means that on top of everything we think is cool, they are also the National Mammal.
But For Us, It Really Is – More Than That…
allaboutbison.com/national-mammal/
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 28, 2021 9:44:17 GMT -5
1893 Jumbo & Devilish Dick reported by C.J. Jones that Jumbo weighed 3000lbs
Two of the largest males of the herd are named Sullivan and Corbett, respectively, because of their belligerent qualities. The big buffalo Sullivan would as a calf rush out and knock a man over if he could, and now when full grown will go a mile to meet a man on horseback.
Jumbo, the monarch of the herd, weighs nearly 3000 pounds and in as fine a specimen as ever trod the western wilds, with a crest like a storm cloud through which flushes a dangerous light from his eyes when in anger. He has the beard of a prophet and a back like old Atlas that might bear aloft a world upon its broad expanse, his horns measuring 141/2 inches in circumference at the base.
allaboutbison.com/legendary-bison-bulls/
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 28, 2021 9:55:16 GMT -5
Sir Donald 1872 – 1909 (as the article states) Manitoba Morning Free Press April 21, 1909
Story goes, he was captured about by James McKay circa 1872 and thought to be two years old at that time. They say he was with his herd for “upwards of 28 years” Around 1905 he was challenged by a younger bull, where he lost one horn and an eye. He was pretty much by himself after that and was found dead in 1909.
Rocky Mnt. Nat’l Park Photo by Byron Harm
Measured about 151/2 inches between the eye sockets. The remaining horn is 18 1/2 inches long and its girth is 14 1/2 inches. He answered best to the Indians description of the buffalo, being short and very thick and deep in the body, with great bone and extremely massive head and front. And he was undoubtedly a really pure-bred bison. (the article also says “measuring about 49 inches from tip to tip of the horns” )
allaboutbison.com/legendary-bison-bulls/
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Jul 30, 2021 11:44:30 GMT -5
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Post by Gorilla king on Jul 30, 2021 12:34:48 GMT -5
No it wasn't bro, this is great:
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Post by Gorilla king on Aug 1, 2021 16:01:45 GMT -5
YELLOWSTONE BISON:
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Post by Gorilla king on Aug 2, 2021 9:08:03 GMT -5
That's great King Kodiak! Do you have any other studies? Yes, take a look and analyze this study here, its no wonder that bison is one of the kings of North America:
Unusual Behavior by Bison, Bison bison , Toward Elk, Cervus elaphus , and Wolves, Canis lupus
Abstract
Incidents are described of Bison (Bison bison) in Yellowstone National Park mauling and possibly killing a young Elk (Cervus elaphus) calf, chasing wolves (Canis lupus) off Elk they had just killed or were killing, and keeping the wolves away for extended periods. During one of the latter cases, the Bison knocked a wolf-wounded Elk down. Bison were also seen approaching wolves that were resting and sleeping, rousting them, following them to new resting places and repeating this behavior. These behaviors might represent some type of generalized hyper-defensiveness that functions as an anti-predator strategy.
... Wolves and grizzly bears rarely kill bison on the Northern Range, and Northern Range bison defend themselves aggressively when attacked by wolves or grizzlies. [17][18][19] Bison also can be aggressive to other ungulates. For example, bison sometimes injure or kill elk calves and domestic horses. ...
... For example, bison sometimes injure or kill elk calves and domestic horses. 19 Almost every year Northern Range bison injure people, and in rare instances bison kill people, usually after people approach bison too closely while taking photographs. Personnel from the NPS and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MT-FWP) use hazing (i.e., herding) to disperse Northern Range bison that become a safety risk to humans. ...
www.researchgate.net/publication/277738000_Unusual_Behavior_by_Bison_Bison_bison_Toward_Elk_Cervus_elaphus_and_Wolves_Canis_lupus
Here is the full study:
www.readcube.com/articles/10.22621%2Fcfn.v118i1.892
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Aug 2, 2021 10:00:23 GMT -5
Thank you man!
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Post by Gorilla king on Aug 2, 2021 18:41:08 GMT -5
Why the US Army tried to exterminate the bison
And then took credit for “saving” them.
In 1894, notorious poacher Ed Howell was caught in Yellowstone National Park slaughtering bison, which were on the brink of extinction. US Army soldiers patrolling the park brought him into custody, and the story led to the first US federal law protecting wildlife. The soldiers were thought of as heroes for stopping the killer. But in reality, it was the US Army that had been responsible for driving bison to near-extinction in the first place.
In the mid-1800s, a cultural belief known as “manifest destiny” dictated that white settlers were the rightful owners of the entire North American continent — even though Native Americans had inhabited the land for centuries. In order to clear that land for white settlers, the US Army engaged in violent scorched-earth tactics against the Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains. One big part of that campaign was to eliminate their crucial food source: the bison.
By the end of the 1800s, a combination of commercial and recreational hunting, plus the actions of the US Army, had depleted the bison population to under 1,000, down from tens of millions at the beginning of the century. Around the same time, the US government set aside some of the land once inhabited by the Plains Indians as a national park, and in 1872 Yellowstone was established.
A key mission of Yellowstone was to conserve the land and the animals that roamed there, including the bison. Today, the soldiers who once patrolled the park are celebrated for having “saved” the bison in Yellowstone, obscuring their own violent contribution to the animal’s near-extinction.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2021/8/2/22605868/us-army-exterminate-bison-buffalo
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Post by tyrannosaurs on Aug 4, 2021 13:21:20 GMT -5
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