PRATT, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism will auction surplus buffalo at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, beginning at 11 a.m. The auction is open to the public, and lunch and concessions will be available. Those interested in bidding are encouraged to arrive early to receive a bidder number.

The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, 6 miles north of Canton in McPherson County, is managed to preserve the area’s prairie heritage and maintains herds of buffalo and elk, both native to Kansas grasslands. The primary public use on the 2,500-acre refuge is wildlife viewing. The habitat can support only a certain number of animals, so each fall, surplus buffaloes are sold at a public auction. This year, 48 buffaloes will be auctioned, including five cows, six yearling heifers, five heifer calves, six yearling bulls, 11 two-year-old bulls, five bull calves, and five cow/calf pairs.

The sale will be outside and will take place rain or shine, so attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly. For more information, contact Maxwell Wildlife Refuge manager Cliff Peterson at (620) 628-4592, or the Wildlife and Parks Region 4 Office in Wichita at (316) 683-8069.