Photographing Bison in Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Over two days, I drove 1000 miles to Medicine Park, Oklahoma. This small town neighbors one of the most incredible wildlife refuges — Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. This is where I found big game, beautiful structures and stunning landscapes, all waiting to be captured.

For months, I’ve felt an urge to get out and photograph wildlife. But not just any wildlife — I wanted to photograph some bighorn sheep. Unfortunately, an extensive search and what initially looked like a possible trip to Big Bend NP on the US/Mexican border, resulted in a disappointing answer. I wasn’t going to have any luck unless I wanted to brave the freezing temperatures of the Dakotas. Luckily for me, I found another answer.

Heading West

Just a two days drive from Atlanta, there is a wildlife refuge where you can find plenty of big horns — sort of.  Longhorn cattle, along with bison, elk and many other wild critters can all be found within the boundaries of this refuge. So I packed my bags, convinced my wife and headed West.

Fort Smith, Arkansas

The drive took a little over fourteen hours, with an overnight stop in Fort Smith, where I visited their national historic museum to learn more about the area. It was a nice little layover that allowed me to visit and read about the US westward expansion into the “Indian Territory”, now known as Oklahoma, to get an idea about the tensions between the old world and the new. Fort Smith is considered the gateway from the East to the West and the history at this site really drove home the type of transition we were making.

First Bison Sigthing

Oklahoma was a night and day difference from the eastern states. The land was more flat and remote. It was the first time in the trip where I truly felt like I had arrived in the Wild West. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge drove that observation home.

Driving into the refuge from Medicine Park, I was met by half a dozen bison, all freely roaming the plains. And they weren’t very shy. I could have practically walked up to pet them — so I obviously stayed 25 yards back and observed from a distance. The wide open plains allowed them to have open space with every little barrier between us, making for great shots. And it continued to get better from there.

Wildlife Everywhere

Longhorn cattle graze within the boundaries of the refuge. They roam the fields, trees and even the roadways, in search of grazing areas. There were so many large herds. I had to keep constant watch because at a moments notice, a herd would cross the road, meaning I had to stop the car and wait my turn to pass. And it wasn’t just about big game — there were birds of prey, coyotes and prairie dogs everywhere.

Came for the Wildlife, Stayed for the Landscapes

While I had come for the wildlife, the landscapes captured my heart. When they say the “Grand Land of Oklahoma”, it is not an exaggeration. The combination of grassy fields, desert cacti and rocky boulders are a landscape photographer’s dream.

Sunrise and sunsets set the sky ablaze and lit up the land with some of the most beautiful light I’ve ever seen. Oklahoma also has tons of lakes and dams, with blue waters that are unbelievably irresistible at golden hour. I spent days exploring and admiring what Oklahoma has to offer and it was time well spent.

But unfortunately, I must head back home. But not before I spend a few last hours with my new friends, the bison, who roam these Great Plains.