15 thoughts on “Bison Time”

1. I didn’t know bison were moody. Huh. I’d avoid them on the principle that they’re bigger than me, and apparently grouchier too.

   1. Your instincts are totally right. They often like to hang out on or near the roads (probably because it’s really easy to feed on the roadsides) in big herds and have been known to suddenly charge a vehicle. They are huge (average is about 800 kg or 1800 lbs) and bad-tempered, but people will still try to get close to them. So dangerous!

2. Oh yeah, if you ever encounter one on a trail and think you are going to sneak by them, think again. Happy Friday Lynette. Allan

   1. Agreed; definitely no sneaking past! I’ve encountered them (at a distance) in Buffalo National Park and have high tailed it in the opposite direction.

3. I won’t even go near a domestic cow, so no problem avoiding a bison, should I ever be lucky enough to see one.

   1. Bison always seem so placid, like gentle giants, but they certainly aren’t. I see many of them on the road sides, especially now when there are lots of fresh green eats that are easily accessible, and I see lots of tourists getting out of their vehicles to photograph them. That’s unbelievably dangerous as they now have little ones that they’re going to protect, too.

      1. People do the same things with bears that are so used to people (in the Banff area). It’s so STUPID! And if the bear then attacks them, the bears are considered a threat and often put on the list of nuisance bears, and we know what happens to them. I can see how people would be fooled by docile-looking bison, but as I said, I’m even scared of cows so I wouldn’t be one of those who get out of my car.

         1. I couldn’t agree with you more, Anneli. Animals need to be let alone. Yesterday I saw a momma bear with three very small cubs, so adorable. But they ran off as soon as my truck came near. I was very happy to see that, since as you point out, the poor bears can become so-called nuisance bears so quickly. We should be referring to the people as nuisance humans!

            1. Nuisance humans! Right on the mark!

            2. Thanks! 🙂

4. I heard on the news last week about how a woman approached a bison in Yellowstone and was then gored by it. Nothing about them looks friendly or cuddly. I’d keep a safe distance, that’s for sure!

   1. Yikes! And the bison was probably put down because of the woman’s reckless decision. I have seen people approach bears, moose (they are extremely dangerous when they are shedding the velvet from their antlers, and this one was) bison and caribou, any of which could charge and kill in an instant. These are wild animals that are way bigger and often protecting young. For all of our advancements, we humans can be unbelievably stupid.

5. All nature needs to be respected, damnit! They’re not adorable little Disney (or Vegas) side-shows, wheeled on stage for our entertainment. (My favourite cartoon: two lions walking down the road in a game park that allows visitors to drive through in their own vehicles. A car is receding in the distance beyond the lions, whose eyeballs are shown spinning wildly. One lion says to the other: “Next guy who doesn’t dim his lights? Let’s eat him.”)_

   1. I completely agree. So many people treat animals as if they are in Zoos, or yes, part of a Disney or Vegas show. They act stupidly and selfishly and then it’s the poor animal who pays the price.
      I love the cartoon! I drove through Krueger Park many years ago (before the end of apartheid, so there weren’t many visitors), and people were required to leave the road before it got dark. Then the humans were the ones who had to enter a cage-like fenced area for the night. At that time, all visitors had to take a day-long training session before being allowed in. Cheers.

      1. I love the way Krueger Park used to operate; wouldn’t it be wonderful is they still required visitors to measure up to the animals’ needs, rather than vice -versa?

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