First, it is important to know the different names for each species. The Wood Bison can also be called the Mountain Buffalo, Wood Buffalo, or American Bison. The Plains Bison is also called the American Buffalo.

The most noticeable difference between the Plains Bison and Wood Bison is size. The Wood Bison is much heavier than the Plains Bison. A male Wood Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. This massive size makes the Wood Bison the largest territorial animal in all of North America. The average size of a fully-mature male Plains Bison is approximately 1500 pounds.

You can also tell the difference between the two animals by noting other physical characteristics. The Wood Bison’s coat has a shaggy appearance. It sheds during the summer to make way for a lighter coat. In contrast, the Plains Bison has a glossy coat with shorter hairs.

The Wood Bison has short horns, and their horns extend sideways and back from their heads. The Plains Bison has much larger horns.

Finally, there is a large difference in the prevalence of each species. The Wood Bison is considered at-risk, and is currently on the Endangered Species list for Canada. There are currently only approximately 3,000 Wood Bison located in the wild. However, the American Plains Bison is no longer at risk for extinction.

Instead of pasture predators, ranchers now appreciate deer, mustangs and antelope as wildfire preventing scrap brush removers. Good fencing prevents intrusion from wild grazers and a good cowboy can still ride fence when he must.

Long, lonely rides are characteristic for travel in the West. It’s not even rational to consider fencing the roadway to keep wildlife from crossing to greener food on the other side. Driving at night demands side to side vigilance, looking for the two bright lights that mean a deer or other wild herbivore is ready to cross. Several states have installed solar powered detection stations to warn of animals in the roadway.
There is no excuse for not coexisting with Western wildlife todayIf you like what you see, keep going: Grizzly encounters are awe-inspiring – Bemidji Pioneer

The American bison can expect to live for up to 15 years if living in nature, and up to 25 years in captivity. They were hunted to almost extinction during the nineteenth century and still exist in reduced numbers. These numbers mean that future generations will need to continue the efforts at re-population.

Evidence suggests that the only free roaming and genetically pure bison in North America can currently be found in:

1) Montana
2) South Dakota
3) Alberta, Canada
4) Yellowstone Park

When bison are moved to new locations, it is vital to make sure that the proper care is taken to protect their genetics. It is commonly believed that if the appropriate care is taken and adequate room is provided for them to roam, that their numbers can continue to improve.

The American Bison live in open prairies of the western parts of the United States and Canada. They are now primarily found in wildlife preserves. Bison are herbivores feeding on grass and other vegetation. They will roam over two miles a day looking for forage. They will migrate south in the fall and return in the spring. There is less land for them to migrate to now so it is important to protect wildlife preserves for them. The largest percentage of American Bison can be found on Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Hunting of wild bison is allowed to maintain a desired population. Hunting of bison is under strict control. It is normally by permit only. The wildlife management used to mark the animals they wanted eliminated from the herds. The rangers would go with the hunters to make sure the prime stock was not hunted.

Significant predators are the wolf and grizzlies. First they will go after a stray calf or a weakened adult. The bison’s defense tactics are to stampede, running away from their predators. They can out run most of their predators. They also use their horns and hoofs to ward off intruders in the herd.