Posted on 07/12/2010 9:10:43 PM PDT by JoeProBono
GRANDVIEW, Manitoba - An 80-year-old Canadian bison rancher says people have come from around the world to see his prized animals , which he allows to roam around his house.
Henry Makinson, whose farm is located about halfway between Grandview and Roblin in Manitoba, said he sold a female for more than $48,000, more than five times the price of an average bison, because of the beauty and health of his animals, the Winnipeg Free Press reported Monday.
Markinson said his bison, which perform tricks, including a conga-like dance, for rodeos and over events, are allowed to roam his one-room farmhouse as well as his larger home, although some of them choose to stay out.
"They hate walking on linoleum," Makinson said. "But Cathy (one of the bison) will get in my living room with the carpeting and she doesn't want to leave. She just wants to lie down and snooze."
Makinson said he has suffered numerous injuries while training and performing with the bison. He was trampled last year when a gate was left open while he was loading the animals into a vehicle. However, he said he loves the creatures as pets and has no plans to get rid of them.
Makinson said other bison ranchers "think I'm crazy, because a buffalo will kill you."
You really have to see these SOB’s up close to understand that they’re a force of nature, like a tornado, hurricane or earthquake. Sure, you can kill them like animals, but absent a heavy rifle, you cannot believe how strong and bloody single-minded these things can be. And in a herd... they’re not to be dissuaded by gunfire.
Panels that hold even the biggest cattle in are like tissue paper to bison. I’ve seen them literally walk through panels and gates. Not run, not crash. Just put their heads down, push, snap the welds, pry open the horizontal pipe on the gates and push their way through. Why? Well, the grass was greener and all that. You’re out a C-note for a Powder River panel, the the bison is contentedly grazing away on the scrub grass on the outside of the fence. And when he wants back in? Don’t bother fixing anything. He’ll just push his way back in.
There was a bison outfit up near the Horseshoe Ranch in northern Eureka County, NV. They got tired of chasing after the bison when they’d break out, so they built some corrals out of 4” gas well casing (about 3/8” wall thickness steel pipe) sunk about 12’ into the ground, then they welded highway guard rail to those uprights - up to about 7’ high.
It kept them in.
Most of the time.
Neat critters. You couldn’t pay me enough to try raising them behind a fence.
“Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam...”
YA THINK?!
He's a liar.
The "other bison ranchers" don't think a bufflo will kill you: they KNOW it will!
This guy must be related to (the late) Timothy Treadwell.
It is also akin to the guy who jumped off a 30 story building, and as he passed the second floor, was heard to say, "See? 28 floors so far, and no problems!"
I gather you disapprove?
There was a bison outfit up near the Horseshoe Ranch in northern Eureka County, NV. They got tired of chasing after the bison when theyd break out, so they built some corrals out of 4 gas well casing (about 3/8 wall thickness steel pipe) sunk about 12 into the ground, then they welded highway guard rail to those uprights - up to about 7 high.
It kept them in.
Most of the time.
__________________________________________
Sounds about right. To a bison, a “buffalo fence” is only a mild suggestion, not an obstacle; what really keeps them in is keeping them happy & contented on their side of it.
Disapprove? Nope; his business; his (eventual) funeral.
Hi, there; come in and meet the Missus....
Buffalo are pretty. I keep mine in my coin purse.
So you have Pokemons!
I have nickels. ;-D
Thanks for the info. Yeah they are monsters. A real throw back. They look more like a train and those horns mean business. I can’t imagine them coming in a house. Amazing critters.
Buffalo Nickel, I choose YOU!
Dances With Wolves doesn’t like living next door to Sleeps With Buffalo.
Inquiring minds want to know: when potty training a buffalo, do you use a kitty litter box or just spread some newspapers?
bookmark
Oh my gosh, what happened to the camera??!! ;)
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