Cache is located at an informal park-n-ride lot at the corner of the Interstate and County Road T. Across the road from here is the Silver Bison Ranch, and you should be able to spy some of these magnificent animals. (You may also see some from I-94: look to the South side of the highway.) Cache is a regular container which should hold a travel bug or two.
The bison is a member of the bovine family. Commonly called buffalo (which is actually a different species not found in North America), it is the largest land mammal in North America. There are two subspecies: the wood bison in northern Canada and the plains bison which once roamed across much of the continent. The bison has a large head with relatively small, curving horns. Its dark brown coat is long and shaggy on the forequarters, including the front legs, neck, and shoulders, while the rest of the body has shorter, finer hair.
Historically, bison numbered an estimated 20-30 million. Unregulated shooting of bison, which culminated in mass slaughters during the 1870s, reduced the population to 1,091 in 1889. Today, approximately 500,000 bison live across North America. Most are not pure bison but rather have been cross-bred with cattle in the past and are raised as livestock on ranches. Fewer than 30,000 bison are in conservation herds, and fewer than 5,000 are free-ranging and disease-free.
Bison move continuously as they eat so that they rarely overgraze an area. They historically roamed great distances. The females, or cows, lead family groups. Bulls remain solitary or in small groups for most of the year, but rejoin the group during mating season.
Bison often rub, roll, and wallow. Wallowing creates a saucer-like depression called a wallow. This wallow was once a common feature of the plains; usually these wallows are dust bowls without any vegetation. In winter, bison can dig through deep snow with their heads to reach the vegetation below.
Bison have poor eyesight, but have acute hearing and an excellent sense of smell. Bison can reach speeds of up to 35 mph.
Height 6-6.5 feet at the shoulder
Length 10-12.5 feet
Weight 900-2,000 lbs; males are larger than females
Lifespan 18-22 years in the wild; over 30 years in captivity
Enjoy your visit!