What to Do If You Spot a Bison

It’s summertime in the United States. Cars are heading to America’s national parks for some recreational activities. Although many individuals respect and admire these beautiful creatures from a safe distance, others have a more frivolous approach to these massive mammals.

An approach that does not take into account the strength, power and force of a Bison can turn dangerous in a hurry. The largest mammals in North America, Bison can grow to over two thousand pounds and stand as tall as an NBA point guard. There are things that can be done, and things that should not be done when.

Bisons can charge at humans and lead to serious personal injuries including traumatic brain injuries, goring injuries, back injuries and even death. When in the presence of these animals error on the side of caution.

So if you encounter a Bison on your next road trip to Yellowstone or the Plains, here are three things to do and three things not to do.

What to Do

Establish a Safe Distance - Common sense is a pretty big thing in life. When viewing wildlife in their natural habitat this is compounded. If you cross paths with a Bison, or herd of Bison, ensure that you are at a safe distance away from the animals. These mammals are incredibly powerful and can, and may, charge at humans if they feel threatened. If you see calves in the herd, this is especially true.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings - It’s surprising how little people pay attention to their surroundings. Common distractions can be caused by looking at a phone, posting to social media, attending to children or a loved one and listening to music. Do not leave your headphones in while viewing wildlife, as it can cause an individual to easily become distracted.

Take Only Pictures & Leave Only Footprints - Bison once roamed North America in huge herds. Pre-columbian estimates place their population between thirty and sixty million. However, by 1884, the Bison were close to extinction with only three hundred and twenty five Bison in the United States. Since the low point in 1884, the population of Bison has since recovered to around 500,000 in the United States.

A popular phrase for ethical wildlife and recreational activities is to “take only pictures and leave only footprints”. If everyone followed this simple phrase, there would be far less litter and injuries suffered to visitors to the territory of the Bison.

What Not to Do

Do Not Impede a Bison’s Path of Movement - Bison are the size of cars. And if you apply the rules of the road to a Bison, you will find that it is a bad idea to impede on a massive moving objects path. DO NOT hike or walk near a bison, to help alleviate potential encounters. If you are hiking through a field, and see a bison, wait or take a different path. A Bison may see you as a threat and charge.

Do Not Try and Pet a Bison - Another common sense statement, but again, common sense is less common than you may think. Do not think that Bison are friendly and that they want to interact with you. They have large skulls and horns that are capable of causing severe damage to both humans and vehicles.

Do Not Feed Bison - Feeding wild animals, including bison, is bad for a couple of reasons. First they will start to get closer to humans as they can associate food with humans. Secondly, attempting to feed a bison encourages the bison to get closer to humans. By feeding, or attempting to feed a bison, humans encourage more interaction with these creatures. Everyone is better off when Bison graze naturally.

To summarize, use common sense and keep an ample amount of space between your person and a bison. When in doubt, error on the side of caution. Stay at least twenty five yards away, or ideally more than 75 yards.