American Bison (Bos bison) is in the Bovids family (Bovidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 20,752 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.
When to photograph American Bison: observations by month (U.S.)
About American Bison
The American bison (Bison bison; pl.: bison), commonly known as the American buffalo, or simply buffalo (not to be confused with true buffalo), is a species of bison that is endemic to North America. It is one of two extant species of bison, along with the European bison. Its historical range circa 9000 BC is referred to as the great bison belt, a tract of rich grassland spanning from Alaska south to the Gulf of Mexico,...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American Bison by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 10,056 | July | May–Sep |
| South Dakota | 3,004 | July | May–Sep |
| Utah | 1,683 | April | Mar–Oct |
| North Dakota | 1,214 | July | May–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 971 | April | Mar–Oct |
| Colorado | 897 | August | Feb–Nov |
| Texas | 760 | March | Feb–Nov |
| California | 608 | April | Feb–Nov |
| Montana | 601 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Florida | 245 | February | Sep–Apr |
| Arizona | 216 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Kansas | 188 | June | Apr–Oct |
| Illinois | 99 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Iowa | 52 | June | Jan–Oct |
| Indiana | 49 | May | May–Jun |
| New Mexico | 46 | April | Apr–Aug |
| Nebraska | 29 | May | Mar–Sep |
| Missouri | 21 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Bovids)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph American Bison?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to October.
Where is American Bison most often seen?
The most observations come from Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah.