Fall Bison Roundup at the Ranch

A few weeks ago we had our annual bison roundup, and like most things on the ranch, it was a family and friends affair. Roundup is when we bring the herd in, sort them, and prepare the ones that are ready for harvest. We don't do it for fun, we do it out of necessity as it’s an important part of raising bison and running the ranch.

Observing the herd in the large corral area prior to our roundup.

The wild nature of the roundup

Bison are, as we all know, wild animals. We prefer leaving them to their green pastures,

enjoying our beautiful Wisconsin days grazing. But one time a year (sometimes two if we need to harvest additional animals), we get them all worked up as we round them up and move them through the corral gates and into a chute.

The work is genuinely hazardous. Bison can be skittish, but they're also quite aggressive. Due to their poor eyesight, if they notice an opening in the gates or fencing, they will CHARGE at it, trying to find a way out. They dislike being prodded or pressured, and it's a fact that they'll defiantly do the opposite of what you want them to do.

But it's necessary work.

What we do during the roundup

The roundup is our chance to track the herd with important details like gender and weight, give out necessary vaccinations (we do not administer any hormones or antibiotics), tag the calves, and then sort the ones that go to harvest.

The bison up for harvest DO NOT go through the chute or receive vaccinations. So we have to work hard to round up these 5-10 bison in a separate corral area.

How we round up the bison herd

Roundup begins a day or two before we plan to work them through the chute. It involves some trickery as we act out a normal pasture rotation.

Bison are creatures of habit, so as long as we act like everything is "as usual," we can usually trick them into the corral. We plan it so that their next rotation includes them moving through the corral system (something they usually have to do when moving from one side of pastures to the other). We jump on the UTV, open all of the gates EXCEPT for the new pasture gate, and they all go running right in. We close the corral gate behind them, and just as they're figuring things out... it's too late.

We drop hay and let them all settle down for at least a day.

The day of the roundup involves a lot of patience, energy, and more trickery as we move each bison through the system of gates and into the chute. Our friends and family are all posted at certain spots of the corral where there are swinging gates. Someone (typically John) will pressure the herd so that some will break off and run into the first set of corral gates. Then one by one we work them through.

Once they're on their way to the chute, we close a big, heavy gate that pushes them in (we have lots of fun stories about that not working, and stubborn bison adding a whole lot of extra time to our process!). Bison have poor eyesight, so as they see the narrow opening ahead, they take off towards it and RAM the chute's head gate with all their might.

At that point, we pull the squeeze and hold them (mostly) in place as we take their weight and administer shots.

We also seize the opportunity to pet our favorites. This year we got to gives scratches to Peaches, the newest addition to our beloved core herd members. She is Bentley's (the herd's matriarch) BFF as she respects Bentley's higher position, but accompanies her in leading the herd. She's gentle and friendly, and hung back with Melody during the winter when John was dropping hay. We love ya, Peaches!

The roundup is always bittersweet as we say goodbye to some of these beloved animals, but it’s part of what makes raising bison meaningful. We know the meat we provide is healthy, responsibly raised, and will feed many families, including our own.

By the time the work wrapped up, we were dusty, tired, and ready for a good meal. But sitting around afterward, talking and laughing with the people who pitched in, made the day feel less like work and more like community. Roundup reminds us that we can’t do this alone—we need each other, and we’re thankful for the family and friends who show up to help us live this life we’ve chosen.

Check out this short sneak peek of what the roundup is like!