Passport to Texas

Bison Music Festival

Celebrating Bison at Bison Fest 2016 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

The official State Bison Herd has more than doubled in size since 1997—that’s when Texas Parks and Wildlife took possession of the animals at Caprock Canyons SP.

I believe there were around 50 or so when SP became the caretaker. There’s about 130 or so that are in the herd right now.

They’re descended from the original southern bison herd that thundered across the plains before European settlers reduced their numbers to near extinction. Donald Beard is superintendent at Caprock Canyons State Park, and says more bison are on the way.

We’re getting more cows into the breeding age. So, we’re going to see a population explosion before too much longer.

Plus: the Texas Legislature named the bison the state mammal. With all this good news, we need to celebrate. So, on Saturday, September 17, the 6th Annual Texas State Bison Music Festival takes place south of the park in Quitaque, Texas.

The festival this year will be headlined by Texas icon, Robert Earl Keen. Tickets are $30 for general admission. And, the concert starts at about 3 p.m. and the vendors start at about 9 a.m. Come all day and bring your lawn chairs.

Campsites are available and there’s a$10 cooler fee. Find complete details and music line-up, plus tickets for the Texas State Bison Music Festival at bisonfest.com.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.