The trip to Texas and back for our three new bison bull was long and exhausting, but we're finally back and have introduced all three bulls. The following videos and photos chronicle this experience.
The driving time to Texas and back was around 24 hours each way. During each 24 hour period Jess and I drove continuously in shifts. With the trailer we obtained a diesel fuel efficiency of 8.2mpg on the way to Texas and 8.5mpg on the way back to Virginia. The average speed on the highway was 70MPH, which may account for the poor efficiency. When traveling at lower speeds with the trailer I've been able to obtain greater than 10mpg. The highlights (if any) in the transportation effort are documented in the above video.
We arrived at the ranch January 4th and began preparations for releasing the bison. Jess checked the electric fences with a voltage meter and I positioned the trailer and opened the outer trailer gates. In order to have maximum observation of the bison during their introduction Jess and I maintained separate observation points and used walkie-talkies to coordinate our actions.
When all was ready I pulled a rope attached to the first inner trailer gate causing the gate to swing open and release the two bison bull calves. The calves soon exited to trailer and after a minute or two spotted our bison herd an began to walk towards it.
At first the herd was a little frightened of the two new bison and started to run away.
However, upon closer examination, the two scary creatures turned out to be new bison and everyone gathered around to check them out.
I now pulled the rope connected to the second inner trailer gate and the 2.5 year-old bull emerged from the trailer. His demeanor was a little more menacing and I retreated to the other side of the trailer after taking this photo.
The previously all-female bison herd (left) quickly spotted our handsome hero (right) and began to walk towards him leaving the two bull calves (far left) behind.
The following video is a series of segments showing the initial meeting and subsequent interactions between the bull and heifers.
I'm no bison expert and can only speculate on what's happening in this video. The females appear to be quite excited about the older bulls arrival. At one point, which I wasn't able to capture on video, one of the females began stotting on the periphery of the group. They flocked around him and appeared to attempt to touch his mouth with their mouths (several instances were observed that are not in the video).
Initially the older bull appeared to be receptive to the behavior, but, after awhile, their persistent attention appeared to wear on him and he eventually took leave of the herd and entered a densely forested part of the fenced-in area.
The two bull calves had a different experience. At first they too seemed a bit overwhelmed by the herd, but, once the older bull was released, the herd eased off and the too younger bulls seemed less overwhelmed. Their primary interactions with the females was head butting, which, while strenuous, appeared harmless. After the older bull retreated to the forest, the younger bulls seemed to split their time between hanging out with him and grazing with the females.
The older bull being followed by the herd, while one of the younger bulls spars with a female in the background.
Today I spotted the older bull grazing in the pasture with one of the younger bulls. He appear much more relaxed and even spent time resting in the sunlight at the top of a hill. Things seem to have settled down now.
