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Lost Arra
02-02-2008, 04:59 PM
(This is pretty boring compared to what you mountainmen post)

This morning I took my hound and my MMR loaded with 50# for a training hike. About 3 miles away there is a hay field that has some kind of National conservation designation because of an old buffalo wallow. It also happens to be the highest elevation in the county, about 1100'. Quit the chuckling!

It sounds stupid but I love hiking over here. I just wish I could have seen it in the 1800's.

Unfortunately, the suburban development is heading this way. Fortunately, the dairy farmer got the conservation designation so the wallow won't ever be developed.

My hound hates the leash but we just crossed a paved road with beaver, coon and cat smells. :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Wallow006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Wallow001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Wallow003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Wallow005.jpg
Smokepole
02-02-2008, 06:11 PM
Pretty cool that it's still there, how long since the buffalo have been gone from that country?
Lost Arra
02-02-2008, 06:43 PM
Late 1800's - early 1900's.

The soil and vegetation in the wallow is different from the surrounding field. In the summer when they bale the hay the wallow looks very different. I'll get another photo when things green up.
Preston Lay
02-03-2008, 05:31 AM
Lost Arra what county you in?
Jim N
02-03-2008, 04:21 PM
Lost Arra

The tallgrass prairie must have been pretty incredible. The country has an certain appeal even now.

Have you read "The Worst Hard Times" by Timothy Egan. If not, take the time.
Lost Arra
02-03-2008, 06:51 PM
Preston: Oklahoma county (eastern)

Looking into this a little more it appears the bison roamed Oklahoma more in the early 1800's. The great buffalo slaughter occurred between 1830 and 1880 when the numbers nationwide were at an all-time low.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Perfinsbison01.jpg

Thanks Jim for the book recommendation.
Ken
02-03-2008, 06:59 PM
LA- Great pic's!...thanks for sharing...until now I wasn't aware of the Bison wallows....

again...great pic's...
Lost Arra
02-04-2008, 03:29 AM
The bison photo is not in the wallow location but a ranch nearby.
evanhill
02-04-2008, 10:20 AM
I too love the great plains. Nothing like the feeling of traveling across the prairie in the late springtime astride an iron horse...