On Saturday, November 15, 2008, I got the opportunity to tour The Nature Conservancy's Tall Grass Prairie just North of Pawhuska, OK. My companions were Joe Woolbright (fearless leader), Joe Neal ( fearless birder), Leigh Helm, Beau Long, and his son Taylor. The preserve was in the middle of their annual Bison roundup. The herd is approximately 2,600 animals that roam free on 23,000 acres. The Nature Conservancy owns about 39,000 acres and has 6,000 acres in adjoining easements that make up the preserve. As I said the herd usually roams free and the Preserve is open to the public. It is the largest remaining piece of virgin tall grass prairie in North America. A significant amount of research happens on the property mostly in association with the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State. The spring and summer offer excellent opportunity for viewing native prairie wildflowers and anytime is great for seeing bison in a wild environment. This is a must see!!!!

This group of about 300 bison is being pushed into the corrals so they can be worked. Conservancy staff and local cowboys check each animal as well as get their weight, vacinate, other injections, and separate the individuals they are going to sell. Each animal carries a unique computer chip attached to its ear for identification. Each calf also has some of its tail hair pulled for DNA testing to maintain the purity of the herd.

This individual was one of four that were able to escape the round up. The rest of the herd will return soon.