9 miles south of Wamego Kansas, just off of I-70, is the Plumlee Buffalo Ranch, a 400 acre working ranch owned and operated by Larry and Shirley Plumlee. .
In addition to being a working ranch, they offer private tours…a chance to get up close and personal with animals that have been roaming the Kansas prairie for centuries.
notice: In 2022 the official Facebook page for the ranch, announced that ranch tours have been discontinued. You can still purchase meat in their store. Call before you head out.
Table of Contents
Where is Plumlee Buffalo Ranch located
the address is 29300 SW 99 Frontage, Alma, KS 66401
Tour transportation
Our ride! Shirley drove us around in their Kawasaki Mule. They also have a prairie tram, that can accommodate larger groups.
Here’s what we came for, the buffalo!
Shirley drove us around the ranch for about an hour and a half, stopping to sit among the buffalo while she gave us the full run down about their beloved herd.
She explained in detail why buffalo are “easier than cattle.”
-
efficient Grassland Grazers (they don’t over graze!)
-
low protein requirements
-
low maintenance
-
no shots required
-
natural “spring time” calving
-
no calf pulling required
-
low mortality rate
Shirley was so convincing that by the time we left my husband and I both ready to start up a buffalo ranch of our own!
How can you schedule a tour of Plumlee Buffalo Ranch
You can give the Plumlee’s a call at (785) 539-2255
What should you bring on the tour?
video of the Plumlee Ranch Buffalo Tour
Check out my Youtube channel for footage from the Plumlee Buffalo Ranch Tour.
feed the catfish the tour
You’ll also get the opportunity to feed the catfish in their pond, something that the kids will enjoy.
purchase buffalo meat at Plumlee Ranch
Buffalo meat is lower fat and calories than beef. It is high in protein, iron, Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s.
At the end of the tour, you have a chance to purchase some items from their freezer. We brought home meat sticks, summer sausage, and stew meat. Be sure to cook the stew meat for a good long time in the slow cooker. I used this recipe for Buffalo Stew (subbed in regular potatoes, and added a little beer and ketchup.)
when can you tour Plumlee Buffalo farm?
Tours are by appointment only, and are given any time that it is nice enough to get out in their open air vehicles. Shirley says that June is a great time to visit. They have dozens of different of wildflowers that bloom on their ranch, and it is a good time to see new calves. see the Plumlee Ranch website for more information.
Looking for more things to do in this area?
I’m off to see the Wizard, in Wamego Kansas, because sometimes, there really is no place like home!
All things Oz…The Oz Museum, Wamego Kansas
Wamego City Park, Wamego Kansas
