Bison Numbers Soar Thanks to Wyoming Ranchers and Market Demand

American bison numbers have surged from near extinction to over 400,000 today through a commercial and conservation revival.

Wyoming ranchers, entrepreneurs, and conservationists spearheaded this rebound, blending market incentives with preservation efforts. This structural shift illustrates how commerce can underpin large-scale species recovery, rather than relying solely on public or nonprofit initiatives.

By the late 1800s, bison plummeted from tens of millions to roughly 1,000 individuals. Pioneers like Mary Ann Goodnight saved southern calves by nursing them on longhorn cows, while Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show raised public awareness. Ranchers such as Charles Goodnight and Ted Turner expanded commercial bison operations, with Turner’s ventures managing about 50,000 animals across multiple states. The Durham Ranch in Wyoming stands as the oldest and largest continuous commercial bison operation, maintaining a herd of up to 5,000. From 90,000 bison in 1990, numbers have grown dramatically, supported by a market for bison meat valued for its health benefits.

Author Jane Little Botkin’s forthcoming book in March 2027 will detail these intertwined histories of conservation and commerce.

While Montana is not highlighted extensively in this narrative, its National Bison Range and regional ranching culture could benefit from and contribute to this model. Montana’s vast landscapes and growing interest in sustainable meat markets might foster similar commercial-conservation feedback mechanisms, potentially expanding bison recovery efforts within the state’s economy.

Bison Have Rebounded From Brink Of Extinction To Become Big Business In Wyoming
By @daily_cowboy, Cowboy State Daily