American bison

Scientific name: Bison bison

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

Bison are massive, dark brown to black animals with a distinctive large hump over the shoulders, shaggy coat, and prominent horns curved upward and inward. Males are noticeably larger and darker than females, with thicker horns and a more pronounced mane.

Size and weight

Males: 800–1,000 kg, 250–300 cm body length. Females: 450–650 kg, 220–250 cm body length.

Habitat

American bison inhabit grasslands, prairies, and open plains from sea level to moderate elevations. They prefer areas with abundant grasses and sedges, tolerating both arid shortgrass and mesic tallgrass ecosystems.

Distribution

Historically widespread across North American grasslands from Canada to Mexico; today found primarily in the Great Plains from Montana and the Dakotas south through Texas, with scattered populations in mountain valleys.

Diet

Bison are grazers consuming mainly native grasses year-round; in winter they may dig through snow to access forage and occasionally browse shrubs and woody vegetation.

Behaviour

Bison are diurnal and crepuscular, active throughout the day with peak movement at dawn and dusk. They are highly social, moving in herds that range from small bands to large aggregations, particularly during the rut.

Hunting tips

Look for fresh wallows (circular bare patches), large hoof prints (8–10 cm wide), and dark cylindrical droppings along trails and ridge edges. Approach from downwind using terrain folds and ridges for cover; bison have good hearing and smell but weaker vision. Stalk slowly and deliberately, positioning yourself ahead of the herd's likely movement path through open grassland.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.