All I mean is that I would like to see the fence that could contain a full grown bison! Like trying to fence in a tank. Of course if they have everything they need they really have no motivation to get out. And I think that's part of it.
Bison, like cattle, always want to expand their range. And liek cattle, even if what is on the other side is dangerous to them, if the fence is broken, they'll go through it. As far as jumping bovine is concerned, I was at a rodeo in Lakeside California. There were 8 foot fences surrounding the arena. After a brahma bull threw its rider, the rodeo hands tried to drive the bull from the arena and into its holding pen. But the bull was having none of that. It charged the horses and so was left alone. This huge animal trotted over to the side where roping cows were held. Remember, the fence was 8 foot high. The bull was standing sideways to the fence. Suddenly, from a standstill, it easily leaped the fence to get in with the cows. The announcers had been telling the audience to stay away from railings as the bulls could, if they desired, jump over any fence or railing in the place. Nobody had listened until that Brahma cleared the fence so easily. Everyone immediately moved away from the railing.
Up here in Michigan's U.P., there is a farm that raises beefalo, a cross between bison and beef. Like mules, they are sterile and the young come from artificial insemination.
At a local zoo in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, they had bison in one of their enclosures. You could walk around the enclosure and get to the other side, which was not really where you were supposed to be. Well, when have I ever listened to rules and regs? I took my four children to that other side where we pulled tall grass from the ground and fed the bison by hand. Not a good idea. They seemed gentle enough at first. Then, a big bull threw its massive head against the fence, scaring the daylights out of us, me included. We quickly left that area and returned to the main viewing area. Bison are huge. I like the flavor of venison better though. Now elk and ostrich, they both have exceptional meat flavor and good texture.
As for a quarter beef, there is a beef processor about twenty miles from my home. We bought a quarter beef from them. it was far superior to anything we could get at the grocers. This year, they are going to smoke some chuck roast and beef hearts for me, to use at the chili cookoff. If you know a good place to get local beef, do it. It's much cheaper and better quality that anything you can get at the market. And, you also know what it's been fed. Just don't have a daughter with a boyfreind who won't eat anything but steak. A lot of good meat filled that young man's belly several years back. Fortunately, they broke up and that daughter married a fine young man who hails from Washington state, a long ways from my freezer.
Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North