Bison

Fossil records show that bison once ranged across portions of northern Canada and Alaska, but for some unknown reason they disappeared several hundred years ago. In 1928 at the same time that elk were being introduced to islands of southeast Alaska, a group of Fairbanks citizens obtained a starter herd of 23 bison that they intended to release into the wild. Several locations were considered and an area near Delta Junction, now the 90,000 acre Delta Junction Bison Range, was chosen for its remote nature but relatively easy accessibility. Today, the herd has grown substantially and offers hunting opportunities for the lucky few to draw a permit each season. The Bison is a formidable beast with a huge head, powerful shoulders, and thick, shaggy fir that protects it from the elements.