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Why we call it Sunset Ridge
Why we call it Sunset Ridge

We celebreate the setting sun over water as a reminder of how blessed we are to live in a place of quiet and beauty surrounded by majestic buffalo.

Here comes the Buff-Mobile!
Here comes the Buff-Mobile!

Buffalo Jack in the Buff-Mobile, getting around town.

At the Carrboro Farmer's Market
At Carrboro Farmer's Market

Buffalo Jack with a Customer at the Carrboro Farmer's Market.

Buffalo Jack at the Durham Farmer's Market listening to a client.
At Carrboro Farmers Market

Buffalo Jack at the Durham Farmers Market listening to a Customer.

New calves born in 2004
New calves

New calves are cinnamon colored for the first 4-6 months, then turn dark. Calves weigh 40-50 lbs at birth and 350-500 lbs at one year.

Peep-eye
Out for a stroll

Buffalo spend most of their time grazing, but on occasion enjoy a stroll in the woods. If they don't want to be found, buffalo are adept at hiding in the woods by moving faster than you can

Such majestic creatures
Such majestic creatures

Sometimes we look for the buffalo, sometimes they look for us. Buffalo are curious and territorial - checking out anything new in their space.

A great shot of the herd
A herd shot

Buffalo are herd oriented creatures. They find safety in numbers and have no natural predators. Speed, strength, agility and a definite pecking order make them fun to watch.

Two heads are better than one!
Head to head

Survival in a buffalo herd is the result of a lot of pushing and shoving. Breeding preferences go to the strongest bull, so much is at stake.

You want me to eat that?
Seldom seen

Seldom do you try to feed a buffalo by hand - it's too dangerous as you never know when they might get spooked or become agressive. Most people who try to treat buffalo as pets end up getting hurt.

Workout time
Work-out

Buffalo enjoy running early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Sometimes they will lap the pasture several times just for the fun of it!

Chow Time
Chow time

 

Handling the buffalo
Handling the Buffalo

Safety for the animal and handlers is our primary concern when we "work" the buffalo. The corral is 7.5 ft. tall built of guardrail and utility poles with a catwalk for humans. Handling bison in order to ear tag, administer worm treatment, treat injuries or perform routine veterinary checks can be stressful for animals and handlers.
Each animal is worked 2-4 times per year in groups of 15-35 per session. During each session there are usually 1-4 buffalo who are not in the mood to be cooperative!

Time for a check-up
Time for a check-up

Once the bison go through a series of alleyways and gates they end up in this special bison "squeeze chute" where they can safely be held long enough to administer necessary treatments and be weighed.