Texas Bison

Bison Bulls

Welcome to Texas

Soon, we will be posting pictures of the Texas Bison genetics, bison we work with, help gather or just have an interest in.

Below are a few things about Texas bison that may surprise you

  • The first documented sighting of bison by a European, in the new world, was by Álvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca in 1528 in a place known today as Galveston Texas.
  • Texas has a state bison association named; the Texas Bison Association.
  • Texas ranks #1 in the number of bison farms according to the 2012 USDA census report and the top 10 for bison numbers. The average herd size in Texas is small, but the level of interest and activity in start-ups and herd-expansions is very high.
  • The citizens of San Angelo, once home to the historic Concho Creek herd, fought to preserve a family group and herd at the state park for interpretive purposes because the citizens of San Angelo Texas considered them culturally significant.
  • The ‘American Buffalo’ was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame in 2008, along with 7 other figures intrinsic to American and Texas western heritage. The Texas Trail of Fame is a virtual chronological history of our western heritage in the United States, Texas, and the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.
  • Texas has an official State Bison Herd. These animals are the descendants of the Charles Goodnight herd that roamed the historic JA Ranch during the 1800’s.
  • During the 83rd Texas legislature, 2013, three pieces of bison legislation were successful:
    1. Designation and naming of the Caprock Canyons State Park bison, the official: Texas State Bison Herd.
    2. Protection under the Estray laws for bison. This was a great day for bison ranchers in Texas as well as for our partners with public herds.
    3. CSR 20, making Texas Bison Week official through the year 2022. Texas is the first and only state to have an official Bison-Week.
    4. A bill signing ceremony was held by Governor Perry at the capital for CSR 20 and the Estray law and included a live bison on the steps of the capital. Check it out at; frasierbison.com
  • The Texas Agricultural Code defines bison as wild and indigenous to the state, while providing for them to be raised for food and/or the preservation of the species.
  • The Texas General Land Office displays an image of a bison, as the centerpiece of its seal since 1836.
  • The National Bison Legacy Act coalition includes 6 members from Texas. More than any other single state.
  • Texas is mentioned more times than any single state in the IUCN American Bison Report time-line.
  • Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, historic Texas figures, are among the most notable historic figures in the story of American bison preservation.
  • Bison from the Texas Goodnight herd we’re donated along with other ranchers from across the country, to make up the Yellowstone National Parks original 25 head – now 4,000 +.
  • Many Texas schools, towns and businesses use bison as mascots and symbols.
    1. Buffalo Texas, established in 1872, was named for the herds that roamed the area.
    2. Buffalo Gap Texas, 1857, was named for bison herd activity and bison carcass, hide and bone trade in the 1800’s.
    3. Plains Capital Bank displays a bison as its trade-mark as well as a live mascot named Miko.
    4. WTAMU has a live bison as it’s mascot and uses a bison as their symbol
    5. Sunset High School, Dallas, Texas – are the ‘Bison’.
  • Texas has many state a federally inspected slaughter facilities that kill bison for entry into the food chain.
  • Bison meat can be found on a regular basis in many large-scale Texas grocers.
    1. Whole Foods – Natural Grocers – Wal-Mart – Costco – Tom Thumb
  • Bison are becoming recognized as part of the Texas Agricultural fabric. Cross promotion and connections with the TBA and the TWA, TSWCRA, TDA, Go-Texan, Texas Farm Bureau and other strategic partnerships are evidence to support this.