Bison Once Roamed All of Ohio

Photo byMaarten van den HeuvelonUnsplash

CLEVELAND, OH - Long before Ohio became a state, the region was home to large herds of bison that roamed freely across the landscape.

These majestic animals, often weighing up to 2,000 pounds, were a common sight in the area, thriving in Ohio’s prairies, grasslands, and open woodlands.

Bison, also known as American buffalo, were drawn to the rich grazing grounds and abundant water sources found throughout the state.

According to Ohio History Connection, the presence of bison played a crucial role in shaping Ohio’s ecosystem. Their grazing patterns helped maintain the prairies, while their movement across the land created paths that would later be used by Native Americans and early settlers.

Bison were also an essential resource for Native American tribes, providing food, clothing, and materials for tools and shelter.

According to Ohio History Connection, however, by the early 1800s, bison were driven to extinction in Ohio due to overhunting and habitat loss as European settlers expanded westward. The last recorded bison in Ohio was believed to have been killed around 1803, the same year Ohio achieved statehood.

Today, the legacy of bison in Ohio is remembered as part of the state’s natural history, according to Ohio History Connection.

While no wild bison roam Ohio anymore, conservation efforts in other states have helped preserve these iconic animals, ensuring that they remain a symbol of America's wild past.