The Cross Timbers Bison channel on YouTube is a personal endeavor of rancher Dusty Baker, displaying his tumultuous practice of raising American bison. He’s generally characterized by a deep-rooted passion for these majestic creatures, which were not so long ago on the brink of extinction. Baker’s dedication to nurturing and expanding a bison herd easily shines through in all of the content shared with his viewers, whereby the channel documents various aspects of bison life, and the challenges and rewards of managing such animals.
What draws everyone in
The channel dives deep into the care and management of these majestic animals, with a hands-on, narrative approach to the diverse content. The dialogue is often practical and troubleshooting in nature, focusing on the intricacies of handling these large creatures, resulting in an educational component of the entire narrative, as the channel owner shares strategies and tips for achieving various tasks. For instance, one could learn about crowd control techniques, whereby they confront challenges such as making pens smaller to guide bison into trailers, making the overall effort much more straightforward. There’s a tangible sense of anticipation and excitement across most of the videos, whether it’s bringing a burly male to a new place or introducing a new female bison to the farm. The channel doesn’t shy away from showing the trials and tribulations of ranching either, as struggles with stubborn animals comprise the signature content of the channel, displayed with a blend of respect, humor and determination.
Baker also shares moments of ingenuity and quick thinking, such as when he describes constructing a freestanding panel to prevent the bison from exploiting gaps in the enclosure. Each device’s design and implementation are customized for the purpose of what he does, which shows off the sheer adaptability he had to develop for this sort of profession. A recurring theme is the promotion of bison as a healthy meat source, with a strong emphasis on sustainable ranching practices, allowing both human prosperity and bison specie stability. Baker not only cares for the physical health of the animals, but also seems invested in the quality and ethics behind meat production as a whole. He thus documents the best feeding practices, and provides information on nutrition meant to optimize the herd’s health.
Interspersed with the day’s work are quieter moments that capture the awe-inspiring nature of bison, offering views that build a deep appreciation for the species. These invaluable glimpses into their everyday behavior and their interaction with the habitat offer viewers the chance to connect with the animals on a much deeper level, raising their appreciation as not just a food source but also a lifeform. Overall, the channel serves as a diary of sorts, documenting the progression of the herd and Baker’s sometimes wild adventure in ranching. His commentaries provide valuable insight into the complexities of the animals’ behavior, elaborating on the intricate aspects of bison ranching, which makes the content both an educational resource and a narrative journey.
Last but not least, community engagement seems like a cornerstone of the channel, with Baker regularly inviting viewers to accompany him on their ranching adventures. He endeavors to nurture a sense of community through shared experiences and challenges, promoting a life dedicated to the conservation and promotion of an animal that once graced the plains of America in vast numbers.
The content that truly stands out
The channel’s most popular video boasts a staggering 9-plus million views, which is more than a jackpot for a channel of just over 250,000 subscribers. Entitled “We RESCUED An Abandoned Bison! Where Did He Come From!?”, it showcases an unprecedented adventure to rescue a stray bison integrating with cattle. The animal is a yearling bull, initially estimated at 300lbs (136kgs), turning out closer to 500lbs (226kgs), tranquillized by a veterinarian so as to ensure a safe retrieval process. Delayed slightly due to a required additional dosage, the sedation is successful, lasting around 20 minutes until the bison peacefully lies down.
Post-sedation, Baker and the veterinarian administer necessary vaccines and inspect a significant hernia, stemming from a possible goring incident that left internal tissues exposed. The delicate situation prohibits aggressive interventions like draining, as that could seriously endanger the animal’s health. The meticulous transportation process involved securing the bison onto a pallet lifted by a tractor, followed by trailer loading for relocation back to the ranch. Upon arrival, the young bison joins the yearlings, experiencing initial social sniffing and rubbings as part of acceptance into the new group.
What’s the location? Who owns the ranch?
The Cross Timbers Bison ranch is located in Sulphur, Oklahoma. The channel started in May of 2018 with just five yearlings, Baker’s efforts have seen the herd grow to over 50 bison in the meanwhile. The ranch focuses on expanding its breeding females, with nearly 40 in the herd, aiming to restore and preserve the valued genetics of the American bison. Baker and his step-father Kevin own the entire property and spearhead all of the ranch’s operations.
Who is his wife?
Marisa Baker is not just the third in command of the property, but also the proud mother of their daughter Brooks, who also takes on her share of minor responsibilities on the ranch. Together, this team not only takes care of the bison but also manages the broader scope of ranch life, including chickens, two ranch dogs named Jackie and Maya, Charlie the barn cat, and Cora – the family’s trusty buckskin filly steed.
Their love story expands beyond the scope of what was told on the channel, but the viewers are certain that the two go way back. Their wholesome dynamic never fails to shine through the content, showcasing an unbreakable life-long bond that likely started when they were in their teenage years. They usually agree on most things, and the audience is yet to be witness to any significant confrontation between them. Baker’s adventurous yet mellow personality complements Marisa’s responsible housewife disposition flawlessly, making for an unstoppable rancher duo.
What is his net worth?
Some of the most reputable sources on the matter have estimated the collective net worth of Cross Timbers Bison ranch at over $300,000, owing to a wide variety of income streams. First and foremost, Social Blade states that the channel makes up to $100,000 per year from ads alone, while Baker isn’t a stranger to promoting various ranching products throughout the videos, paid for by various companies. This extends to the family’s Instagram page as well, with over 120,000 followers.
Most importantly, the ranch has a dedicated website offering a diverse array of authentic bison products. Starting with consumables, their assortment includes a New York Strip sample box with a selection of bison cuts, an Ultimate Snacker package filled with summer sausages, jerky, and snack sticks, as well as Sweet BBQ and Original flavor Bison Snack Sticks, Bison Bites in sweet BBQ and original seasoning, and so on.
The store also features wearable items and accessories, including bison bundles containing a hoodie, hat, and bison-based snacks. There are also products that cater to lifestyle enthusiasts, offering puzzles featuring ranch scenes, bison-themed socks, tumblers, tea towels, and even car fresheners. Finally, for the youngest of fans, Baker also sells bison plushies, and even bison-shaped dog toys.
All aspects of the business, family, and video productions are a unique experience, whoever and wherever you are.