History of Bison in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 18, 2026

Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the family Bovidae. There are two extant species: the American bison, native to North America, and the European bison, or wisent. Characterized by their massive heads, humped shoulders, and thick, shaggy coats, these herbivores are well-adapted to life in grasslands and temperate forests. Historically, American bison numbered in the tens of millions, playing a vital role in the ecology of the Great Plains and holding deep cultural significance for Indigenous peoples. However, due to habitat loss and overhunting in the 19th century, they were pushed to the brink of extinction. Conservation efforts have since stabilized populations, though they remain vulnerable. Bison are social animals that live in herds and exhibit unique behaviors, such as wallowing in dirt to deter insects. Today, they serve as a powerful symbol of wilderness and are managed both for ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture.

1910: Commencement of Bison Repopulation Efforts

In 1910, systematic efforts to recover the American bison population were initiated, involving enforced protection of government-managed herds and the implementation of extensive ranching practices, which marked the beginning of a successful recovery period that continues to the present day.

1983: Initiation of Bison-Related Injury Reporting

Starting in 1983, a multi-year period began where Yellowstone National Park recorded 33 total bison-related injuries, leading the park to launch dedicated education campaigns to improve visitor safety.

1985: Conclusion of Initial Injury Tracking Period

By the conclusion of the 1983–1985 period, Yellowstone National Park had documented 33 bison-related injuries, an average of 10 to 13 per year, prompting the implementation of visitor safety and education measures.

1996: First Bison Census in Canada

In 1996, the first official census of farmed bison in Canada was conducted, identifying 45,235 animals residing across 745 farms.

2003: USDA Financial Intervention in Bison Industry

In 2003, the United States Department of Agriculture provided a $10 million bailout by purchasing frozen overstock of bison meat to stabilize the commercial bison industry.

2005: Ruby Tuesday Adds Bison to Menu

The restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday expanded their culinary offerings in 2005 by officially introducing bison meat to their menus for the first time.

2006: Bison Farm Census Growth

By the 2006 census, the commercial bison industry in Canada experienced significant expansion, with the population rising to 195,728 bison located on 1,898 farms.

2013: Montana Bison Legislative Disputes

In 2013, the state of Montana introduced legislative measures regarding bison management that faced significant opposition from Native American tribes, who argued the bills violated their sovereign rights. Ultimately, three of these bills were vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding bison policy between tribes and private landowners.

July 2015: Bison Population and 2015 Safety Challenges

In July 2015, the bison population in Yellowstone National Park was estimated at 4,900, marking the largest concentration of the species on U.S. public land. However, 2015 also saw five injuries due to visitors failing to keep the mandated 75-foot distance from the animals.

2015: Identification of Purebred Henry Mountains Bison Herd

In 2015, researchers utilized genetic testing of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to confirm that a herd of 350 bison residing in the Henry Mountains of southern Utah was purebred and entirely free from brucellosis, a disease introduced by domestic cattle.

2021: Analysis of Bovine Phylogenetic Relationships

In 2021, Sinding et al. published a study investigating the evolutionary relationships of bovines by utilizing nuclear DNA analysis to provide a clearer understanding of their ancestral connections.