Bison and elk in the dawn light Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near Canton, Kansas is home to one of the few surviving wild buffalo herds. As of January 2016 there were about 20 buffalo and 85 elk on the refuge. Each fall there is an auction of surplus buffalo. It began in 1859, when a small herd of buffalo were driven into the area around the Maxwell homestead. The Maxwell family wanted to preserve a piece of prairie, with a roaming herd of buffalo, for future generations and in 1943, the Henry Maxwell estate donated 2,560 acres of land to the Kansas Forestry, Fish, and Game Commission for the creation of the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge dedicated to bison and other prairie species. Public access to the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge includes occasional tram tours, horse back rides in spring & fall (must have own horse) and the 50 year old observation tower where some of these photos were taken. Special events at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge include the Prairie Days festival on the first weekend in June, and the Mountain Man Rendezvous on the Prairie on the first Friday and Saturday of October. The Friends of Maxwell over 45 minute covered tram tours where, at the minimum, you will get close up looks at the bison, while enjoying the beauty of the native wildflowers and the plains. Up until 2020, there was an observation tower, but it has been removed. Fishing and primitive camping are available at nearby McPherson State Fishing Lake.
Page 2 of photos
of elk & buffalo Maxwell
Wildlife Refuge web site
LS - 4/13 copyright 2005-2024 by Keith Stokes |
