Oklahoma fifth in number of bison

(Denver-AP) -- The first-ever count of buffalo finds Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation in the number of the animals. <br/><br/>The US Department of Agriculture says the Sooner state produced nearly 13,500

Monday, June 7th 2004, 1:34 pm

By: News On 6

(Denver-AP) -- The first-ever count of buffalo finds Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation in the number of the animals.

The US Department of Agriculture says the Sooner state produced nearly 13,500 head of buffalo in 2002. South Dakota leads the nation in buffalo production with more than 40,000. North Dakota is second, Montana third and Nebraska fourth.

The census found nearly 232,000 buffalo in domestic herds in 2002.

National Bison Association director Dave Carter says he thinks the number is low, but says the group is happy the government is finally tracking bison numbers.