When did the American bison become endangered?

The American bison did not become endangered, but nearly did. There were more than 30 million American bison on the Great Plains in the early 1800s. However, by the late 1800s, their numbers had been reduced to less than 1,000. This drastic decline was due to a combination of factors, including overhunting by both Native Americans and European settlers, habitat destruction, and disease.