IMPORTANT: It’s That Time of Year Again in Oklahoma – Here’s Your Reminder

We see it all too often in Oklahoma: an innocent bystanders sees a bison in the wild and creeps just a bit too close for just the right photo and ends up with injuries. Maybe they hadn't heard every other Oklahoman say "don't touch the fluffy cows."

Now, rutting season is here in Oklahoma and that means hormones are high in herds. Mothers have just given birth to those absolutely adorable calves and they're ready to repeat the cycle. The bulls are ready to fight anything they need to - and that could be you if you're too close.

Mess With The Bull, Get The Bison

Think back to the old MGM movie introductions with the roaring lion - that's identical to the sound coming from the males.

@wispoutdoor #Repost @yellowstoneguidelines —— Want to see a 2000 lb mammal raging with testosterone? Come to @yellowstonenps and watch the bison rut. The bison breeding season is in full swing. #yellowstone #yellowstoneguidelines #bison #buffalo #wildlifevideos #august #rut #bigbull #allchargedup #heyladies ♬ original sound - WISP

While they may trying to get with the ladies, they're also competing with one another for breeding rights. Anything getting in their way of their "task at hand," including people, is likely to be bulldosed within seconds.

@mcveycations I didn’t realize that there were also bison in Grand Tetons National Park. For some reason I thought that was just a Yellowstone thing. Well, the Teton bison put on a show for us, practicing for the rutting season. It wasn’t as heated as it will be in the summer when it’s time to mate, but it was still awesome to see them butting their heads together right next to the road! #bison #rutting #grandtetonnationalpark #tetons #wildlife #wildlifevideos #buffalo #nature #adventure #explore #travel #nps ♬ Rocky: Eye of the Tiger - Best Movie Soundtracks

Oklahoma may not be the only place with buffalo, but we do hold them near and dear to our hearts and our state's history. Since we are one of the states with the most Native American populations, it's very well known that the buffalo is sacred to Indian culture - so in short, don't mess with them.

Mama Bear, Meet Mama Bison

If there's a place you never want to end up, it's on the other end of a protective mother bison's rage. If she's willing to take on a 2000 pound testosterone train over her baby, even a 300lb person would be a cakewalk.

@crosstimbersbison Momma on the move #bison #oklahoma #ranchlife #farmlife #bisonbison #bisonlover #bisonlovers #bisonph #buffalobisons #americanbison #bisonofinstagram #bisonunion #bisonnation #bisonranch #bisonpride #ilbisonte #bisonlove #gobison #wildbison #mammal #animals #wildlife #buffalo #thisisoklahoma #bigjoe ♬ Cinematic Epic - AudioCoffee

Strength in Numbers

When rutting season comes along, you'll notice that animals congregate more and herds tend to graze closer to onee another. In Oklahoma, the summer time hits the land hardest because of drought, making grass and other resources more difficult to come by.

@crosstimbersbison Keep’em happy with cubes! #bison #buffalo #ranchlife #bisonranch #oklahoma #drought ♬ original sound - Dusty Baker

Not only are tensions high because of breeding, but a fight for good eatin's also common when you start adding numbers to the mix. Even in captivity, tempers flare when food gets involved.

We'll say it again for the people in the back - don't touch the fluffy cows. Get your pictures, make your memories, but do it from a distance.