the plains during our country's early history are often
called buffalo. Even though referenced in popular
folklore and campfire songs, the buffalo did not, in
fact, roam in America. The animal commonly referred to
as a buffalo, is in fact, the American Bison.
The name confusion goes back to the days of the
explorers. The word "bison" has Greek roots, and means
ox-like animal. While, "buffalo" comes from the French
word "boeufs" meaning ox or bullock. So the origins of
the misnomer are extremely similar, leading to even
further confusion. The term buffalo dates back further
than the word Bison, however, Bison is the official
name of the symbol of the frontier. The two names for
the same animal were simply a result of the American
melting pot and multiple cultures assimilating
together.
Officially, there are two species of buffalo, the
African Buffalo and the Asian Buffalo, but these
animals are completely unrelated to the American Bison
and they don't even look like Bison. So technically,
the Buffalo has never been native to North America.
When people ask, what's the difference between bison
and buffalo, the answer is "nothing" and "plenty" all
at the same time. When individuals are referring to the
American icon, buffalo and bison are typically used
interchangeably.
There was a time when bison had nearly died out in the
country's Bison Belt. Their meat was valued for being
rich in nutrients and high in protein, however the real
value in bison during the westward movement was the
animals' large and plush hides. Skinning parties would
capture the animals for their hides. Unfortunately, the
animals were over hunted and were unable to sustain a
large population.
A select few small herds survived the near extinction
by hiding in isolated areas such as Utah's Antelope
Island or Pelican Valley near Yellowstone National
Park. In the early 1900's, a few ranchers tried to
revive the bison by gathering small herds together in
order to create a sustainable population. Because of
the diligent work of these ranchers to reestablish the
bison as a mainstay in North America, the North
American Bison is no longer an endangered species.
For the last couple of decades, ranchers and bison
enthusiasts alike have worked hard to reintroduce bison
as a consumable meat, a delicious alternative to beef.
Many ranchers introduced bison to their properties
after learning that Bison was the mainstay of the
Plains Indians, who never contracted cancer, heart
disease or strokes, despite living to be eighty to
ninety years old. In fact, scientists speculated that
had the Plains Indians had dental care, they would have
lived to be one-hundred and thirty-five.
Bison is continuing to rise in popularity as a dinner
table fixture because of the nutritional benefits of
this lean red meat, including:
Bison meat has fewer calories and less cholesterol
than chicken, fish or ostrich.
Bison meat is 97% fat free.
Bison meat has 40% more protein than beef.
Eating 5oz of bison, 3-4 times per week can help
most people reduce LDL cholesterol 40 to 45% over a 6-
month period.
Bison ranches are dedicated to promoting the
conservation of bison, as well as the environment.
Most bison ranches allow their herds to roam on large
acreages, where the natural habitat is preserved,
instead of confining the animals to pens. The animals
are fed a natural diet and aren't given enhancers like
steroids or hormones. These measures contribute to both
the quality and taste of the meat, while also giving
the bison an enjoyable life.
So, whether you have tried bison meat, seen it on a
menu at a local restaurant or perhaps even heard Ted
Turner talking about it, it really doesn't matter if
you call it "buffalo" meat- but now you know, it's
technically "bison" meat.
Skip Sayers is the owner of Sayersbrook Bison Ranch and
American Gourmet. Skip and his wife Connie decided to
raise bison began after reading the Plains Indians
lived on bison meat and never contracted cancer, heart
disease or strokes, despite living to be eighty to
ninety years old. Since then, the Ranch expanded to
over six square miles, 1100 Bison, and evolved into a
tour destination, featuring herd tours, sporting clays,
fly-fishing, boating, 50 miles of 4-wheel off-road
trails, and the home of the American Off Road Training
Center. It is endorsed as a 5 star destination by
Holland and Holland of London, England. For more
information, visit http://www.americangourmet.net.
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