Where the buffalo roam

Brandeon Hampton pulled himself up from the ground where a 1,400-pound bison had just pierced, pitched and pummeled him.

Brandeon, owner of Blackfish Buffalo Ranch, now considers that “a test from God” to prove his commitment to stewarding this animal, interchangeably called buffalo or bison. Brandeon was not deterred, and his first calf was born the following spring.

Brandeon’s career trajectory started before he was born. “I was fortunate to be born into history, and I was raised in history, and now I have made history,” he said. His roots shaped his mission to bring the buffalo back to the Lower Howard’s Creek, where they roamed free until 201 years ago, and where his family has lived for generations.

Brandeon grew up modding out hot rods and bowhunting, so when he started proclaiming that he was going to own a buffalo ranch, it came as a surprise to his family. “You don’t even have a farm,” Brandeon’s uncle Lloyd remembered saying when he heard Brandeon’s plan. “But if Brandeon does something, it’s full force.”

In the near-decade since Brandeon faced off with that bull, he has endured additional battles, like three-figure business debts, a pandemic, land disputes, and a changing industry that left him feeling ostracized.

Like the American buffalo, Brandeon ran headfirst into the storm. “By the grace of God alone,” he said while holding back tears, he got through it. It took six years of persistence and sacrifice, but Brandeon is finally back to feeding his community. This time, he’s doing it on his own terms.

For him, keeping the process as local as possible sets his product apart. His bison are born, raised, harvested, processed and enjoyed on Kentucky soil. He personally delivers his products to customers, a transaction that often includes a warm conversation, hug or handshake. After relaunching his products into the local market in August 2026, he had sold 1,500 pounds in a few months.

Recently, Brandeon has felt a different calling. He plans to downsize the herd, leave the farm and phase out of the bison business after 20 years.

With local buzz and positive public reception, why scale back to small-scale bison farming now? “My season is done because my goals are completed,” Brandeon said. “Buffalo move on.”