Bisons are large even-toed ungulates found in the vast plains of the North America. For many Native American tribes migrating herds of these animals were an important source of food, meat, leather and sinew. To damage the natives' economy was one of the reasons why white intruders overhunted bisons, and the population was decreased to just a few hundred in the late 19th century. The species recovered in the early 20th century thanks to the efforts of private activists, such like James "Scotty" Philip from South Dakota.