The first Saturday of November this year arrives on November 1st. The largest land mammal in North America was designated became the National Mammal of the United States in 2016. Many things can be celebrated on Nov. 1 and this year on of them is National Bison Day.
Probably very few adults have lived without had some opportunity to have experienced live North American Buffalo at some location. Long before Europeans came to this continent, buffalo were among the symbolic animals of the Lakota and other native societies living on this land.
Everything has an historic and present-day existence in the world. North America buffalo ancestors crossed the land bridge from Asia hundreds of thousands of years ago. Its species spread over time to almost all regions of the continent and became an integral part of varied ecosystems.
Because of changes, overharvesting by growing populations and land changes, bison populations needed help sustain a free roaming existence in many areas. Because of conservation efforts and management of land and remaining wild populations, people are fortunate to have this day to remember and learn more about the role of North American buffalo in our history and the ecosystems where their role is important.
What do you know about bison?
• Do both male and females have horns?
• Do both male and females have “beards”?
• If you have a beard, will you post you “bison look” photo on National Bison Day?
• If you come from a state where permits are available to hunt bison, and are you the training or experience to be able to distinguish between and male or female the permit allows?
• What year was the Department of Interior Bison Conservation Initiative prepared by the Department of Interior?
• What state, federal or private areas maintain habitat and populations of bison?
• What stories can you share on National Bison Day about experiences with bison?
• What is the name for buffalo in Lakota language or other language?
• What President signed and signed the National Bison Legacy Act in which the U.S. Congress declared that bison (buffalo) are a national historical symbol integrated with the spiritual and economic lifeways of several Indigenous peoples, and more than 60 tribes of the United State with the support by The InterTribal Buffalo Council and the National Bison Association?
• Do you have a crockpot receipt for Bison Stew to prepare for a Bison Day Celebration?
Photos by Ken Hupila
