Minnesota Prairie Roots

With more than 300 acres to roam, the bison conveniently clustered around a watering hole next to the road through the prairie during our visit to Minneopa State Park.

OH, GIVE ME A HOME, where the buffalo roam…

This pair was so close to our van that I could almost have reached out and touched the calf.

Whenever I think of buffalo, those lyrics pop into my head. My classmates and I sang the words during informal music time at Vesta Elementary School some 50-plus years ago.

Interpretive signage about the bison is positioned overlooking the prairie.

An overview of the Minneopa prairie, home to a herd of bison.

A map shows native prairie remaining in Minnesota, land needed by bison for grazing.

Or, whenever I think of buffalo, I remember childhood visits to the small zoo at Alexander Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls. There a tall wire fence separated us from these massive animals I associate with Native American buffalo hunts on the prairie.

Or, more accurately, bison hunts. These powerful animals are technically bison, not buffalo.

Today you can see them in Minnesota at the Minnesota Zoo, Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne and now at Minneopa State Park outside Mankato.

A gravel road slicing through the Minneopa prairie allows visitors to get a close-up view of the bison herd.

On a recent weekday afternoon, we drove to Mankato into bison territory. Literally. Vehicles turn onto a gravel road that winds through the Minneopa prairie, home to about 20 bison. Having grown up on a dairy and beef farm (with several mean bulls), I respect animals that outsize me, especially those with horns.

Vehicles park to watch the bison and a passenger steps out to photograph the dangerous animals.

I didn’t even question the validity of signage warning visitors to stay inside their vehicles because bison are dangerous. I watched in disbelief as a woman stood outside a car taking photos with the bison herd within stone’s throw. What on earth was she thinking? Only moments earlier a sheriff’s car passed by and I wished the deputy had seen, and ticketed, her.

We had a bit of a scare ourselves when a bison walking nearby suddenly bolted toward our van, but veered away at the last second. I envisioned horns impaling the metal.

These animals command respect. They are massive, powerful and beautiful, a part of our state’s history.

To share space with them upon the prairie is not only an experience, but an honor.

© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling