Description

What is the Hudson Meng Bison Kill Pin?

This enameled metal pin from L.W. Bristol Classics is the official collectible for the Hudson Meng Education and Research Center, a paleontological and archaeological site within the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands near Crawford, Nebraska. The pin depicts Bison antiquus, the large extinct bison species whose remains were found at the site in the thousands.

The pin is 1 inch round, with a full-color enamel design on the front and a brushed metal finish on the back. It comes mounted on a display card and has a standard tack pin back. Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands approved the design.

About Hudson Meng

Hudson Meng is one of the largest known bison kill sites in North America. Roughly 10,000 years ago, a large herd of Bison antiquus died here. The bones of approximately 600 animals are preserved in the bonebed, and excavation and research have been ongoing since the site was first investigated in the early 1970s.

The site is named after Albert “Hub” Meng, the rancher on whose land the bones were first discovered in 1954, and L.H. Hudson, who reported the find to the University of Nebraska State Museum. Systematic excavation began in 1971, led by archaeologist Larry Agenbroad. The Education and Research Center was built over the bonebed so visitors can see the remains in place while researchers continue their work.

The site sits in the Pine Ridge region of the Nebraska panhandle, managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. It is one of the few places in the country where visitors can observe an in-situ bonebed of this scale.

About Bison antiquus

Bison antiquus (sometimes called the ancient bison) was the dominant large herbivore of North America from roughly 240,000 years ago until about 10,000 years ago, when it went extinct along with most of the other Pleistocene megafauna. It was significantly larger than the modern American bison (Bison bison): adult bulls stood about 7.5 feet at the shoulder and may have weighed 3,500 pounds or more, compared to roughly 6 feet and 2,000 pounds for a large modern bull.

Bison antiquus is the direct ancestor of the modern American bison. The species appears in many significant North American archaeological sites, including Folsom (New Mexico), Bonfire Shelter (Texas), and Hudson Meng. The sheer number of animals preserved at Hudson Meng makes the site an important data point in understanding Paleoindian hunting behavior and the population dynamics of the species.

Specifications

• Shape: 1″ round
• Weight: 0.3 oz (pin only)
• Depth: 3/16″
• Construction: Enameled metal with raised design
• Reverse: Brushed metal finish
• Backing: Tack pin
• Packaging: Mounted on display card
• Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics (Bristol, TN)
• Approved by: Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands

Who is this for?

Visitors to Hudson Meng. If you walked the bonebed floor, looked at the Bison antiquus skulls in the cases, or just drove the Pine Ridge looking for something worth bringing home, this is the right souvenir for that trip.

Collectors of park and public lands pins. The Nebraska NF&G series from L.W. Bristol Classics is one of the more unusual pin lines BHPFA carries, covering sites that most casual travelers have never heard of. Hudson Meng is among the most distinctive of the group.

Buyers with an interest in Pleistocene megafauna or Ice Age North America. The pin is a $4.99 way to mark that interest, and the site itself is the real thing, not a replica.

Frequently asked questions

What does the pin show? The pin features an artistic rendition of Bison antiquus, the prehistoric bison species found in the bonebed at Hudson Meng. Bison antiquus was about 25 percent larger than modern American bison and is considered a direct ancestor of today’s species.

How big is the pin? 1 inch in diameter, 3/16 inch deep. About the size of a standard round lapel pin.

Where is Hudson Meng? The Hudson Meng Education and Research Center is near Crawford, Nebraska, in the Pine Ridge region of the Nebraska panhandle. It is part of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Is this a soft enamel or hard enamel pin? The pin is enameled metal with a raised design. The current product listing does not specify soft versus hard enamel. Contact BHPFA at [email protected] if you need that detail before ordering.

How do I wear it? Push the post through fabric and slide the clutch on from the back. Works on hat brims, jacket lapels, backpack straps, lanyards, and vests.

What other Nebraska forest and grassland pins does BHPFA carry? BHPFA carries a full Nebraska NF&G pin series, including the Bessey Ranger District and Nursery Pin, the National Grasslands Visitor Center Pin, and the Fort Pierre National Grasslands Pin, among others. Browse the full pin collection.

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.