It was in the northern Texas panhandle in the spring time of 1874 and small bands of buffalo hunters were gathering at the famous Adobe Walls to initiate the beginning of the great slaughter that would, in four years, decimate the southern herd of bison into near extinction.
At the site of Adobe Walls where the great Texas slaughter first began.
In the early 1870′s it was estimated that some 3.5 million bison grazed the plains of Texas but by 1878 so few bison remained that hunters began leaving the plains and directing their efforts at ranching or heading to the cold buffalo ranges in Wyoming and Montana where the herds there had survived due to Indian hostilities in that region.
Due to the urging of his first wife Mary, Charles Goodnight decided to capture and place on his ranch about 200 head of wild bison from the surviving few left on the open Texas range. After about 133 years of running free on the ranch land of the historical J.A. Ranch , Andrew Sansom , the Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife decided that it would be in the best interest of Texas and to the bison legacy to stage a capture event and restore the animals to a safe haven on the Caprock Canyon State Park land near Quitique, Texas. Here it was hoped that they would be protected from being killed off by hunters and eventually propagate to a healthy number.
A bison bull grazes beneath the shadow of the Llano Estacado.
November 1997 will be a month I shall never forget. The capture crew and I were gathered at the old J.A. Ranch Headquarters to begin the historic capture of the last remaining nucleus of southern plains bison on earth. About 40 animals were running wild on the sprawling ranch and I was designated the only non-employee of TPW to document the capture.
For the next four months the great buffalo hunt was again reborn on the immense Texas plains although this time the goal was not one of death and destruction. By the end of the capture approximately 30 bison made it through the capture and genetic test procedure and were moved on to the safe haven of Caprock Canyon State Park. It was truly one of the great historical events of our 20thcentury and I thank Andrew Sansom and all of the men and women who participated in this great endeavor. Years
The last of the southern plains bison move across the open plains of Texas before the capture effort had begun.
have passed like water flowing to the sea and today, unfortunately, we have seen the passing of at least two of the original capture team members. Thus so, I would like to take this opportunity to salute all the members of this intrepid team of contemporary buffalo hunters whose professionalism in the capture and handling of these wild and dangerous creatures was second to none. And a salute to the fine pair of men who have slipped the surly bonds and no doubt are viewing us from a better place, nodding their head in approval that the herd is well and now proclaimed the Official Bison Herd for the State of Texas. A job well done my friends…
A dangerous job under the best of conditions the capture was begun in November of 1997 and proved to be a cold and dicey undertaking. All hands were ready and willing however.
The processing pen where the captured animals were brought before being transported to Caprock Canyon State Park.
Shadows of the new buffalo hunters. Men and women bent on preservation instead of destruction.
Releasing a bison into the receiving pens at Caprock Canyon State Park.
Buffalo hunters bent on preservation. A salute to all.
can’t wait for the book! thanks for sharing the sneak peak –
Wyman, I am delighted that the Bison of Texas have been saved for future generations to observe, live and protect, I have seen herds in Oklahoma and Washington State and I am totally amazed by these enormous and magnificent animals. The herd in Oklahoma acted like they didn’t have a care in the world. We were allowed to drive in the pasture with them but they (the Bison) had the right of way. I was scared that they were going to charge and hit my truck. But they were not aggressive at all. Really amazing creatures. Can hardly wait for the book to come out!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE LAST OF OUR BUFFALO.
WITHOUT THE LIVING BEASTS TO SEE, HOW COULD ANYONE BELIEVE THERE EVER WERE SUCH CREATURES?
We love seeing the herd that roams to the East of Cimmaron, New Mexico.
I was thrilled by your legacy with the JA Herd at Caprock Canyons on Saturday when I watched the 74 head of recently released bison grazing on the prairie and watering at Lake Theo. Here’s hoping 15 years of gentling will keep them within the confines of their pasture at the park. Tourists were a problem tho, they kept approaching individual bison (to pet them??) and one lady even followed part of the herd down to the water. The rangers were busy, but the bison had their heads down eating.
Thank you for your part in this great Bison rescue. I actually say the herd just last month at the Park and was glad to see them and learn a bit of their history.
I have been lucky enough to see some of Ted Turner’s herd’s in New Mexico and while spectacular, they just don’t have the Texas History of the Caprock herd.
Spectacular place to visit!! Love your photos….and go Red Raiders. AVH ’75
Just wanted to say thank you for postng these pictures… My Dad(Lee Miller) passed away a few years ago and he is in some of these pictures! I remember when he was gone trapping the buffalo I have seen pictures that were taken but not these so again thank you!!