Utah is home to thriving bison herds. These large mammals, also known as American buffalo, once roamed North America in vast numbers before facing near extinction. Today, their presence offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities and reflects successful conservation. The state’s landscapes provide suitable habitats for these animals.
Where Bison Roam in Utah
Bison populations in Utah are found in specific geographical locations, each with distinct management approaches. Antelope Island State Park, situated in the Great Salt Lake, hosts a semi-free-ranging herd. This herd fluctuates between 550 and 700 individuals and is one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the nation. Visitors to Antelope Island often encounter bison along roads, trails, and fields.
Another significant population resides in the remote Henry Mountains of south-central Utah. This free-ranging herd, consisting of approximately 300 to 400 animals, occupies about 300,000 acres, ranging from desert lowlands to mountainous regions up to 10,000 feet in altitude. The Henry Mountains herd is recognized as one of only a few genetically pure, free-roaming bison herds on North American public lands.
A third, more recently established herd can be found in the Book Cliffs, along the Utah-Colorado border. This herd, which averages around 400 to 600 individuals, is also free-ranging and occupies a 1.2 million-acre range of sandstone buttes and arroyos.
The Story of Utah’s Bison
Bison were historically present across Utah’s grasslands, but they were nearly eliminated by the late 1800s due to extensive hunting. By the time permanent settlers arrived in 1847, bison had largely disappeared from many areas, including the Salt Lake Valley. Reintroduction efforts in Utah began in the late 19th century to restore these animals.
In 1893, John Dooly and William Glassman brought 12 bison from Texas to Antelope Island to establish a herd. This initial group flourished in the island’s isolated environment. By 1926, the Antelope Island herd had grown significantly, though at one point, owners attempted to remove them for cattle grazing.
The Henry Mountains herd was established in 1941 with 18 American Plains Bison transplanted from Yellowstone National Park. Five additional bulls were introduced in 1942 to enhance genetic diversity. These bison, originally released into the arid desert, eventually moved into the Henry Mountains, thriving in the verdant grasslands. The Book Cliffs herd originated from a reintroduction by the Ute Indian Tribe in 1986, with additional bison from the Henry Mountains transferred in 2010 to bolster the population.
Protecting Utah’s Bison Populations
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), with other agencies, manages Utah’s bison populations. Management efforts focus on maintaining healthy, genetically diverse herds and balancing population numbers with available habitat. These strategies ensure their long-term viability.
Herd health is monitored through regular surveys and examinations, including weighing, vaccinating, and assessing animals. Genetic diversity is a key consideration, particularly for herds like the Henry Mountains, whose pure genetic lineage is vital for broader conservation efforts.
Population control prevents overgrazing and maintains ecological balance. For the Antelope Island herd, an annual roundup manages numbers, with excess bison removed through culling or transfers. In the Henry Mountains, controlled hunts are a primary population management tool, with limited permits issued annually. The DWR also minimizes conflicts with other land uses, like livestock grazing, through habitat projects and strategic distribution.