Hudson Meng Bison Kill Hiking Medallion
$7.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Die-cut enameled metal hiking medallion for the Hudson Meng Education and Research Center in northwestern Nebraska, featuring Bison antiquus, the prehistoric bison whose bones fill the site’s 10,000-year-old bonebed. Made by L.W. Bristol Classics and approved by Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands.
- 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" die-cut enameled metal medallion with brushed finish reverse
- Three metal nails included for mounting to a hiking stick, walking staff, or paddle
- Weight: 0.1 oz
- Shapeable to fit a round staff; also glues flat to display boards or bike frames
- Proceeds support Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and other BHPFA partner parks and forests.
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Hudson Meng Bison Kill Hiking Medallion
$7.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Die-cut enameled metal hiking medallion for the Hudson Meng Education and Research Center in northwestern Nebraska, featuring Bison antiquus, the prehistoric bison whose bones fill the site’s 10,000-year-old bonebed. Made by L.W. Bristol Classics and approved by Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands.
- 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" die-cut enameled metal medallion with brushed finish reverse
- Three metal nails included for mounting to a hiking stick, walking staff, or paddle
- Weight: 0.1 oz
- Shapeable to fit a round staff; also glues flat to display boards or bike frames
- Proceeds support Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and other BHPFA partner parks and forests.
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
What is this hiking medallion?
A die-cut enameled metal medallion for the Hudson Meng Education and Research Center, made by L.W. Bristol Classics of Bristol, TN. The design centers on Bison antiquus, the large extinct bison species whose remains are preserved in the bonebed at Hudson Meng. At 1 3/4" x 1 1/4", the shaped format follows the contour of the design rather than being trimmed to a circle. The front has full-color enamel with raised detail; the reverse has a brushed metal finish.
Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands approved the design. Three metal nails are included for attaching to a wooden hiking stick or staff.
What’s included
- One enameled metal hiking medallion, 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" die cut
- Three metal nails for mounting to a wooden hiking stick, staff, or paddle
- Mounted on a display card
How to attach it
Pre-drill three small holes in your walking stick, then press the nails through the medallion and into the holes. The medallion bends slightly to follow the curve of a round staff. For flat surfaces like a display board, RV panel, or bike frame, flatten it out and use a strong adhesive rather than the nails.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" die cut
- Weight: 0.1 oz
- Construction: Enameled metal with raised Bison antiquus design
- Reverse: Brushed metal finish
- Attachment: Three metal nails included
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics (Bristol, TN)
- Approved by: Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands
About Hudson Meng
The Hudson Meng Education and Research Center sits in the Pine Ridge region of the Nebraska panhandle, about 20 miles northwest of Crawford. It is part of the Oglala National Grassland, managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands.
In 1954, ranchers Albert Meng and Bill Hudson were digging a stock pond on Meng’s land when they found the bones. Professional archaeologists led by Dr. Larry Agenbroad began systematic excavation in the early 1970s. What they found was one of the largest known bison bonebeds in North America: the remains of approximately 600 Bison antiquus, dating to roughly 10,000 years ago.
The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 1973. Subsequent research teams from Colorado State University, the University of Wyoming, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Colorado have continued work at the site. What triggered the mass death is still debated. An early theory held that Paleoindian hunters drove the bison to their deaths in a coordinated kill. A competing interpretation, developed through 1990s excavations, proposes that the herd died from natural causes such as disease, drought, or wildfire, with humans arriving later. Stone tools from both Alberta and Eden archaeological traditions have been found at the site, suggesting multiple occupations over hundreds of years.
The USFS built a climate-controlled enclosure over the bonebed so the bones remain in place and visitors can see the excavation. The center is open seasonally, Fridays only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The 3-mile Bison Trail runs from the center to Toadstool Geologic Park across the Oglala National Grassland.
About Bison antiquus
Bison antiquus was the dominant large herbivore of North America for roughly 230,000 years before going extinct around 10,000 years ago. It was substantially larger than modern American bison: adult bulls likely stood about 7.5 feet at the shoulder and weighed upward of 3,500 pounds, compared to roughly 6 feet and 2,000 pounds for a large modern bull. The species is considered the direct ancestor of modern Bison bison.
The 600 animals at Hudson Meng represent a significant data set. For context, the entire Yellowstone bison population today is around 5,000 animals. Whatever happened in that Nebraska draw 10,000 years ago, it left behind one of the most intact records of Bison antiquus anywhere in the country.
About the hiking medallion tradition
The hobby traces to alpine Europe, where hikers hammered metal markers onto walking staffs at mountain huts and summits. The US version built around national parks and public lands keeps the same idea: collect one wherever you go, nail it to your stick, and end up with a physical record of where you’ve been.
L.W. Bristol Classics has been producing medallions for parks, trails, and historic sites across the country since the 1980s. BHPFA carries a range of them for partner sites. Browse the hiking medallions section to see what’s in stock for Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Agate Fossil Beds, and other sites.
Who is this for?
Visitors who hiked the Bison Trail or walked the bonebed floor at Hudson Meng. The die-cut Bison antiquus design is specific to this site in a way that a generic prairie or grassland medallion is not.
Collectors of public lands and Nebraska-specific souvenirs. Hudson Meng is one of the more unusual sites in the BHPFA catalog, and this medallion is the only hiking stick piece for it.
Gift buyers with an interest in paleontology or Ice Age North America. And 0.1 oz, it adds almost nothing to shipping weight. Pairs naturally with the Hudson Meng Bison Kill Patch or the Hudson Meng Bison Kill Pin (SKU 3504).
Frequently asked questions
What does the medallion design look like?
The medallion features an artistic rendering of Bison antiquus, the extinct prehistoric bison found in the bonebed at Hudson Meng. The design uses full-color enamel with raised metal detail.
How big is this medallion?
1 3/4 inches wide by 1 1/4 inches tall, die cut to follow the shape of the design.
Does it come with mounting hardware?
Yes. Three metal nails are included. Pre-drill small holes in your wooden hiking stick before pressing them in. For flat surfaces, use adhesive in place of the nails.
Can I use it somewhere other than a hiking stick?
Yes. L.W. Bristol Classics medallions mount to paddles, canoe poles, canes, and flat surfaces like display boards, RV panels, and bike frames. You can also leave it on the display card as a tabletop piece.
How is this different from the Hudson Meng Bison Kill Pin (SKU 3504)?
The pin (SKU 3504) has a tack post and is sized for wearing on hats, jackets, and bags. This hiking medallion is sized for mounting on a walking stick and comes with nails instead of a pin back. Both feature Bison antiquus and are made by L.W. Bristol Classics. Both are $4.99.
Is Hudson Meng open year-round?
No. The Education and Research Center is open seasonally, Fridays only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The surrounding Oglala National Grassland is accessible year-round. Check Recreation.gov for current tour availability and scheduling.
What other souvenirs does BHPFA carry for Hudson Meng and Nebraska National Forests?
BHPFA carries a Hudson Meng Bison Kill Pin (SKU 3504), a Hudson Meng patch, and a Hudson Meng Education and Research Center Ornament (SKU 2210). For other Nebraska NF&G sites, see the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands shop section.
Does buying this support public lands?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
More BHPFA hiking medallions
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | L.W. Bristol Classics |
| Dimensions | 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" |
| Weight | 0.1 oz |
| Material | Enameled Metal |
Note on International Orders
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