212
PROC. OF THE OKLA. ACAD. OF SCI. FOR 1960
American Bison
Weights and Measurements
From the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
ARTHUR F. HALLORAN, Wichita Mts. Wildlife Refuge, Cache
The history of the American bison (Bi8on bison) has been well documented by Garretson (1934), Roe (1951), and others. However, there
appears to be a dearth of information concerning weights and measurements of bison of known ages. The purpose of this paper is to present
BOrne of this information obtained from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife
Refuge herd.
Gabrielson (1943) has described the beginnings of the bison herd on
the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge of southwestern Oklahoma. The
area is now under the administration of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries &
Wildlife, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior.
I wish to acknowledge the encouragement and assistance of Refuge
Manager Julian A. Howard and others of the refuge staff. Without this
aid the bison data could not have been secured.
There are many factors affecting the size and weight of a bison. In
addition to age and sex, these include origin, range type, and management
methods. The establishment of the refuge herd by the introduction of 15
bison trom the New York Zoological Park in 1907 was officially outlined
in the U. S. Forest Service publication (Anon 1928). It is less well known,
however, that the New York Zoological Park bison herd was originally
obtained trom the Jones and Bedson herds (Gray, 1932). The foundation
tor the Jones herd was 57 wild calves captured in the Panhandle of Texas
during the period 1885 to 1889 (Garretson, 1934). According to the same
author, Jones added to this nucleus by purchase from individual owners.
One ot these acquisitions was from the Sam I. Bedson herd. The Bedson
bison originated from wild calves captured for the Hon. James McKay,
Provincial Secretary of Manitoba (Garretson, 1934). These historical
notes trace the sources of the Wichita herd to both Texas and Canadian
animals. In addition to the original 1907. plant, four bulls from the Fort
Niobrara National Refuge in Nebraska were added to the Wichita herd in
tHO (Halloran It Glass, 19(9). The Niobrara herd, established in 1913
waa derived from eight bison; six of these were donated by J. W. Gilbert of
CONSERVATION
213
Friend, Nebraska; two bulls came from the Yellowstone herd (Garretson,
1934).
The Wichita bison roam in fenced pastures feeding on native grasses
and other plants. No supplements other than salt are fed. The 59,000acre Wichita Refuge embraces some of the area fonnerly occupied by the
great southern herd of American bison (Anon, 1928). When all of these
factors are brought to mind it is seen that, in all likelihood, the bison of
the present study probably are comparable in weights and measurements
to individuals of native wild herds of the past century.
The management of the Wichita herd has included vaccination for
brucellosis. Dr. D. C. Bostwick, U.S.D.A. Agriculture Research Service,
Ardmore, Oklahoma, recently stated (Pers. corom.), "No (brucella) reactors have been seen in (the Wichita) buffalo herd for years. In 1940-42
incidence of reactors was very high." The elimination of this disease is
another factor that has tended to produce a herd more typical of indigenous animals of the last century as Roe (1951) states, ". . . but here again,
hardly one single authenticated instance of disease among wild buffalo has'
ever been recorded." Hones and Winter (1956) say, "When considering
the relationship of brucellosis among ruminants, it is believed that the
disease spread from domestic cattle to buffalo who in turn gave it to elk."
The bison weight data (Tables I & II) represent seven years (19531959) of records plus a few 'selected weights of older animals from the
1960 season. Both butchered and live weights were secured in the fall and
winter months during the annual disposal season when bison are sold or
donated to keep herd numbers in line with range capacity (Halloran, 1957).
The weight categories are labeled, "1%, 2%, etc." to indicate more accurately the age of these spring-born animals. The ages were determined
from brands. All calves are branded with the last digit of their year of
birth. Live weights were taken to the nearest five pounds and dressed
weights to the nearest pound. In all cases, averages were calculated to
the nearest pound. There is wide variation in the various weight classes.
For example, the butchered weight of 209 2% year old bulls varied from
283 to 518 pounds.
Weights of males between six months and 17th-years were obtained.
Five hundred and ten animals were used to secure the average dressed
weight in seventeen age classes. Data are scanty in the younger and older
categories. Two hundred and thirty-seven live weights were taken. The
record indicates that bulls continue to gain weight until they are approXimately ten to twelve years of age. After that age, weights start to
decrease. The heaviest bull was in the 12%-year class and Upped the
scales at 1,795 pounds. Percentage of yield varies by age class between
47 and 58 percent, but centers around 54 percent.
Table n contains weight records of 251 butchered cow bison. As in
the case of bulls, the butchered or dressed weight is that of the four quarters of the carcass with the hide, head, and viscera removed. All dressed
weights were taken immediately after butchering. The heaviest cow on
the live weight record was 6th -years of age and was recorded at 1,075
pounds. One hundred and twenty-seven cows of various ages from 2* to
16lh-years of age comprise the cow bison live-weight table.
Through the years many queries have been received concerning the
As a first step
in determining body size in animals of the local herd, '21 bulls and 17
cows (Tables m and IV) were measured. Standard measurements, illeluding height at the shOUlder, were taken just after the animals were
killed. In addition to standard measurements, the tables inclUde, butchered
size of Wichita bison in relation to those from other areas.
6*
7*
8lA1
9lA1
10lAl
11*
12lA1
13lA1
14*
15%
17lA1
5~,
3*
4.%
Z%
%
1*-.
"'i~
Yean
-,---
--
391)
518)
667)
775)
827)
899)
854)
911)
929)
986)
869)
989)
799)
823)
Total Number Bulls Weighed
----
-
•
.
.
.
-
620
803
962
1126
1181
1358
1417
1463
1343
1534
1422
1795
1405
1400
1345
1425
-
--
675)
995)
1225)
13(0)
1415)
1590)
1525)
1620)
1375)
1695)
1605)
-
-
(1380 - 1430)
(1360 - 1440)
-
( 575
( 585
( 755
( 925
( 860
(1015
(1345
(1285
(1315
(1425
(1300
-
Average Uve (Entire) Weight
(Wt. - Range)
-----,,_._--
510
I
1
1
7
209
116
59
32
27
12
13
8
6
8
3
2
5
-
(299
(288
(390
(383
(471
(M7
(652
(657
(676
(762
(667
(720
(793
(730
Number
Weighed
Average DrelMCl Weight
(Wt • Range)
147
334
437
507
607
670
724
774
788
781
887
759
843
796
779
699
751
BULL BISON _WEIGHTS
Fall, 1953 ~_ Fall, 1960
. TABLE I.
237
._--
2
2
1
1
I
5
109
49
19
15
12
6
5
3
4
3
-
Number
Weighed
of
._----
53
47
57
56
52
53
55
M
M
53
M
57
53
55
54
58
-
Yield
Pereent
.
...
~
...~
8'"
P
rIJ
I%j
0
~
~
>
~
lXJ
0
~
txj
0
~
N
15J,1
16¥,z
14~
13~
8¥,z
9J,1
101Al
11¥,z
12J,1
7~
1%
2%
3%
41A1
5%
61A1
tAt
Years
Age in
-
(174
(429
(409
(348
(390
(388
(400
(400
(404
(438
(420
(438
(420
-
-----
-
-
624)
591)
650)
542)
557)
590)
510)
551)
500)
478)
538)
329)
559)
Total Number Cows Weighed
133
228
464
464
477
467
485
461
475
476
477
473
474
449
431
416
470
Average Dressed Weight
(Wt•• Range)
II.
COw BISON WEIGHTS
251
1
4
12
30
52
42
32
19
22
12
7
8
5
2
1
1
1
Number
Weighed
852
808
849
853
853
832
869
882
890
867
878
850
780
855
960
-
-
(780
(740
(725
(755
(735
(760
(770
(790
(860
(820
(800
-
985)
990)
1025)
970)
1075)
930)
1020)
980)
940)
940)
910)
Average Live (Entire) Weight
(Wt•. Range)
Fall, 1953 - Fall, 1960
TABLE
127
5
22
21
19
15
7
16
7
3
3
5
1
1
1
1
Number
Weighed
53
55
49
49
54
54
55
54
57
56
55
57
55
55
54
P.rcent of
Yield
.....
CIt
N
Z
g
~
l':1
Z
en
0
()
105
101-%
103
10/ 1/58
10/ 1/58
10/ 1/58
10/ 1/58
10/ 3/58
10/ 3/58
9/29/59
10/ 4/60
9/30/58
10/ 1/59
10/ 1/59
11/19/58
9/29/59
10/ 2/59
10/27/58.
10/29/59
10/13/59
10/27/59
10/28/59
10/13/60
10/27/59
2%
21,2
2*
2%
2%
2*
2%
3%
<i%
4%
4*
5%
5%
5Ih
7%
7%
10Ih
11%
11Ih
12Ih
15%
-
117
~~
105*
109%
105
1051h
112
114%
109
107
102
110
113
125
121
115
123
125
109
Total
Length
Oat.
Butchered
'n Yr•.
Age
m.
~
-~._._~
...
17
15
14
15
13
16
17
14lh
16
11
13¥.a
15¥.a
15%
14:
17
13
15
16
17
16
16
...
Of Tail
Length
Ear
(Notch)
24 ¥,a
222h
23%
25
23lh
24
22%
22%·
23lh
23%
22
23%
21%
23%
24%
24:1;2
23%
23:1;2
23:1;2
26
24%
.
-~
..... -
5-%
5-%
5-%
5-%
5-lh
5-lh
5
5-%.
5-%.
5-%
5-%
5-'7fs
5
5-%
6
6
5-%
5-%.
5-%
6
5-%
.
"""-._~----
Hind
Foot
-~
-
~
.-'.-'."
60
60
63
71
68
72
66
64
73-%
66
64-%
60-%
6O-lh
58%
58
57-%
61
58-%
60
54
62
-- -
Height
At Shoulder
-- -
481
673
796
752
986
714
667
989
699
600
471
445
463
444
506
497
482
470
548
630
558
_._, .
Butchered
Weight
Measurements in inches_ Weights in pounds.
790
810
810
880
835
965
1110
1125
1130
990
860
1295
1474
1420
1695
1360
1300
1795
1345
835
190
24-%
25-1,4
23-%
25
28
24
22
26-¥.a
18
23-%
25-%
18-%
21-%
20-%.
22-%
25
24
23-%.
29
24-lh
24-%
---"'-
23-JA.
26-JA.
28
24-%
23-%
27
25-lAt
25
27-%
23
23-%
24-%
26
27-¥.&
26
28
32
29
27
24-~
25-%
----_.
" - - - , - -_ _ _ _ . 0•
--
Horns
Tip-to-tip Greatest Spread
.. _-,.-
Entire
Weight
TABLE
El.'n:aNAL KEASUJIElIIENTS AND WEIGHTS OF BuLL BISON
WICHITA K'l'8. WILDI..IFE REFUGE, COMANCHE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
!
I'D
~....
~
rJJ
0
"ZJ
~
>-
>a
~
0
~
"J!l
0
~
0.
w
....
2:1h
2:1h
3:1h
4%
5%
5t;2
5:1h
5%
6:1h
6%
6%
6%
6%
7%
8%
8*
9%
in yrs._
Age
Total
length
101t;2
97%
102%
102%
102t;2
99%.
103
115
102%
99
105t;2
96t;2
112*
100J,1
105
103
104%
Date
Butchered
11/18/58
11/18/58
9/29/59
11/19/58
11/19/58
11/19/58
9/29/59
10/16/59
11/20/58
11/20/58
11/25/58
11/25/58
12/ 4/58
11/19/58
11/19/58
11/19/58
11/19/58
Hind
foot
12%
14
14
13t;2
12
1414
12%
13
13*
13
14
14%
13
13
12%
15*
12*
22%
21*
22
22%
22%
21th
21t;2
22
21%
20%
21t;2
22
22
21J,1
22
22
20
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5
5%
4%
4%
5%
5
5%
51;2
5
5%,
5*
Ear
(notch)
-------
._._----._------
length
of tail
-----
53%,
55
58%.
53
51
551;2
581;2
62
55
54
56
541;2
591;2
54
51
52%
55
451
452
533
428
435
518
544
591
402
388
462
494
521
419
471
430
429
820
800
870
850
790
850
875
970
735
740
850
875
975
850
845
800
790
Height
Butchered Entire
at shoulder Weight Weight
16
21%
16
15%
14%
21*
11%
9%
15%
16
131;2
161;2
17%
13*
15%
10%
18
19
19
18
18
20%
19
201;2
19
-
18%
21%
18*
20
16*
21%
19
Horns
.. _.,-_.- --Tip-to-tip
Greatest
Spread
TABLE IV. ExTERNAL MEASUREMENTS AND WEIGHTS OF COW BISON
WICHITA MTS. WILDLIFE REFUGE) COMANCHE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
Measurements in inche3. Weights in pounds.
With calf.
With calf.
Without calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
Without calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
With calf.
Note.
....
"'"
N
Z
>
~
:3
0
~
{fJ
8Z
218
PROC. OF THE OKLA. ACAD. OF SCI. FOR 1960
weight, live weight, tip-to-tip hom length, greatest spread, age, sex, and
date ot killing to make the record more complete. One 12~-year-old bull
stood 1 %. Inches over 6 feet at the shoulder and measured 10 feet 5 inches
in length. The tallest cow stood 5 feet 2 inches at the shoulder. Most of
the measurements ot Tables m and IV are from average-run animals of
various ages from the butchering programs of 1958 and 1959.
LITERATURE CITED
Anon. 1928. The Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve.
Misc. Cire. 36. 12pp. map.
Gabrielson, Ira N. 1943.
XIII
257 pp.
+
Wildlife Refuges.
U.S.D.A.
MacMillan Co., New York
Garretson, Martin, S. 1934. A short history of the American bison. Amer.
Bison Soc. 66 pp.
Gray, Prentiss, No. 1932.
Derrydale Press, N.Y.
Records of North American big game.
The
Halloran, Arthur F. 1951. Keeping wildlife refuge grass and buffalolonghorn herds in balance. The Cattleman 44(1): 86-81.
............................ and B. P. Glass, 1959. The carnivores and ungulates of the
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. J. Mammal. 40 (3) ;
360-310.
Hones, Ralph F. and K. E. Winter, 1956. Diseases of wildlife in Wyoming.
Bull. 9, Wyo. G. & F. Comm. Cheyenne, 279 pp.
Roe, Frank Gilbert. 1951.
Press Canada, 9151 pp.
The North American buffalo.
Univ. Toronto