Bison is a game meat? Where’s the game?

Since the 19th century, bison has fallen under the category of meats known as “game” meats, which unfortunately, has often relegated bison meat to an entirely different portion of the grocery store (or in most cases, it’s not even available). This label has led some people to claim bison meat to taste “gamey” (not sure what that means) by association, but it is in fact, not “gamey” at all.

Bison have more similarities to cattle than they do any game animal. However, cattle were chosen by civilizations because they could provide meat and milk more safely and cheaply (Lott, 2002). That left bison to roam the Great Plains, and by default they became one of America’s many game meats.

It is still possible in some states – like Montana – to hunt for bison, but it really shouldn’t be termed “hunting” at all as there really isn’t much of a hunt (bison like wide open spaces, hang out in groups, and are really hard to miss). Why do you think the American bison population was on the brink of extinction in the 19th century (see below drawing)? It wasn’t because they were particularly good prey.

Late 1800s bison hunt for passengers “on the line of the Kansas-Pacific Railroad” (Library of Congress)