A taste of the West

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A taste of the West

Cortez family raises herd of bison for local farmers markets
Danny, Jeanie and young Kambria Wilkin are raising buffalo at the their ranch along U.S. 491.
A bull keeps a close watch on people approaching the fence around the buffalo pasture.
Danny Wilkin has wanted to raise buffalo since he was in high school.
The buffalo at the Wilkin ranch are a popular photo opportunity for tourists driving along U.S. 491.
Danny Wilkin feeds one of his buffalo through the fence at his ranch along U.S. 491.

A taste of the West

Danny, Jeanie and young Kambria Wilkin are raising buffalo at the their ranch along U.S. 491.
A bull keeps a close watch on people approaching the fence around the buffalo pasture.
Danny Wilkin has wanted to raise buffalo since he was in high school.
The buffalo at the Wilkin ranch are a popular photo opportunity for tourists driving along U.S. 491.
Danny Wilkin feeds one of his buffalo through the fence at his ranch along U.S. 491.
Bison facts

Only in the past 10 to 15 years can it be said that North American bison has returned from the threat of extinction it faced in the 1890s. What was decimated to less than 2,000 in number has, through careful breeding and nurturing, returned and flourished.
Today it is estimated that the total herd size is about 500,000, about half in Canada. This course is a far cry from the approximately 50 million animals that roamed the western ranges before European settlement.
A mature bison bull will weigh about 2,000 pounds, while a mature bison cow will weigh 1,100 pounds.
Bison can run at speeds up to 40 mph.
Bison are not domestic animals and should be treated with caution and respect. Each animal has its own distinct personality.
Just as lions and tigers can be tamed by professional animal trainers, bison can also be trained. However, bison are not domestic animals.
Source: www.bisonbasics.com and www.bisoncentral.com

W Lazy D Bison Co.

Phone: 970-749-0476 or 970-565-8140
Purchase: Meat is available Saturday at the Winter Farmers Market at Four Seasons Nursery, 26650 County Road P, Dolores.