This past June we moved the Buffalo from one pasture to the next. Buffalo are roamers and have come to understand what an open gate means – new digs to roam and fresh grass. We believe in a gentle approach of simply opening a gate, offering a little incentive with cake (a small cube of pressed alfalfa with some minerals), and having a subtle presence on the back end. When babies are little we are very careful to guide in a very slow manner.
The lead herd cow is usually the first to approach and once she has moved through the herd will start to follow.
The babies stay close to their mothers and instinctively shoot to the outside. The wind was blowing on the day we moved them, which added extra excitement for the babies who frolicked, leaping through the air, bucking and kicking.
A few stragglers held up the back end with the largest herd bull completing the move. They quickly joined up with the herd, and found their way to their new pasture.
Bull Buffalo
They other day we moved the buffalo again. What struck me, was not only their calmness with the babies now two months older, but the beautiful healthy pastures, still green and plentiful with grass, thanks to continued summer rains.
Buffalo in August Pasture
The baby buffalo are now kids, in a varying stages of golden to black, with sprouting new horns. They are gaining independence, but will stay close to their mothers and remain in the family group until they are two years of age.
Mother & Baby Buffalo
They vocalized their happiness with their soft grunts and grazing noises. Listening to 300 buffalo eating grass is pretty amazing!
Baby Buffalo in Herd
We wrapped up our task under a pink sky of a setting South Dakota sun.
Buffalo & Pink Sky Sunset
Comments 16
We served buffalo burgers to some family members the other night and a twenty-something niece from Portland, Oregon said, “this is like taking a bite out of the prairie.”
Do you offer tours of your ranch?
Hi Crystal – Yes we do, for Wild Idea Buffalo Customers. Thanks for all of your support!
Love these pictures, especially the pink sunset. I vote for a video that includes the munching sound next!
Good idea! Look for that next friday. Cheers!
Love your site ….. always wanting more …. thanks for the entertainment ….
Author
Thanks Mike! Happy weekend.
I’m enjoying a variety pack of your meats up here in the wilds of North Idaho, starting to feel like summer is coming to a close. Really happy that Dan’s Rain Dancing worked this year..Love the images, i miss me some open plains, looking forward to the new book.
All the Best
Bill
Author
REading the new book now. Looks good. Out next fall. All good things take time!
it only seems like yestaday that this magnificent beast was tottering on the brink of extinction well done to you all on the other side of the pond I enjoy reviewing your photgraghs
Author
It takes a village! Yes we can!
Looks like a Great photo opp!
Author
It’s good work, if you can get it!
Gorgeous photos – a wonderful (if brief) respite, from the 113 degrees, which keep we Zoners housebound. Thanks for sharing the love, which is so apparent, in both your words and pictures.
Sounds like a trip north might be in order? Thanks for your comment!
Jill,
How did the buffalo herd survive? There have been news reports that
many of the rancher’s have helicopters and airplanes spotting the
carcases. Some of the reports suggest that half of the herds were
lost.
I have been told blizzard stories by my uncles who lived on homesteads
in southwestern Minnesota.
Hope you made it through the 2013 Blizzard.
Author
Hi Charles –
We will be sending out our newsletter today, story included on the storm. Thank you for asking. Our neighbors have lost so much. Can’t believe the national news is not covering this tragic event.
All my best. Jill