Got a photo text message from Joe. He's gonna have a story to tell. He stopped by my place a week or so ago on his way to Utah where the only wild buffalo herd in the lower 48 is located. Once in a lifetime, too many preference points to imagine, any method cow tag.
When I first met Joe at a Texas Sweat many years ago my first impression was "mild mannered reporter" type, won't be taking any game with his bow. Wrong! Hunt after hunt, year after year he produces.
Way to go Joe! Can't wait to hear the details
Sounds promising, can't wait. :thumbsup:
Some pics on PBS sight. Nice going Whip.
This will be a cool story. :campfire:
:campfire: :coffee: where is the popcorn
Congtats, Joe!!
:notworthy:
Bill
Awesome Joe!
Can't wait to hear the story and see the pics. Way to go bud!
Joe, I have been waiting for this one.
Congrats :thumbsup:
CONGRATS JOE!!
Congratulations Joe! Looking forward to the story.
Wow! Can't wait to read the story and see the pics.
Mike
Shaun, if you are able to post a pic that would be great. Can't do it from here. Story well have to wait too. We're drifted in bad up here on the mountain and have our work cutout for us just to get down to dirt. Don't want to leave this meat up here until April!
Congrats, Whip! I will see about getting the pic up. What an accomplishment.
Congrats Joe!! If I had four wheel drive I'd head down to help! Try to get down by Mon they are calling for more snow! Be safe!!
Congrats Whip, couldn't have happened to a nicer gent !!! Looking forward to this one, meanwhile you got plenty of time to reflect while enjoying the white stuff sounds like. :coffee:
Here it is:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/dudleyg/photo4.jpg)
WOW! again, my friend!
Worth being snowed in for! God knows you ain't going to starve!
Waiting to hear the rest of the story!
WOOHAH!!!! way to go Whip
Okay whip.....one pic is up now get on with the shot details at the very least ? What arrow, head, bow poundage, etc, etc ? Pass thru ? Up to the feathers ? We are all hangin and living vicariously thru you right now...... :readit:
Congratulations Whip that's a dream of mine. Merry Christmas!
Awesome!!!
Shaun, if you are able to post a pic that would be great. Can't do it from here. Story well have to wait too. We're drifted in bad up here on the mountain and have our work cutout for us just to get down to dirt. Don't want to leave this meat up here until April!
:bigsmyl:
CONGRATS SIR!!!!!
COWABUNGA! That thing looks a lot bigger that it did on my tiny cell phone screen. Plus I can see the mules in the background and that big smile. Way to go Joe! God's speed getting down out of the mountains and headed home for Christmas. Good Hunting!
Way to go Joe. What a trophy.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: After having buffalo steak two nights ago and buffalo meatloaf last night, I just really need to put a cow in the freezer. Let's hear the story!
Get home safe then tell your story,we'll still be here,congrats. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
What a BEAUTIFUL photo!!
Congrats again Joe!!
Congrats, Whip!
Bisch
Wow!!! You did it! Congrats on jumping in head first and getting it done. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Way to go!
Lots of back and forth earlier about whether or not to make this trip. Gotta love it when this happens!
Your season had a bit of a poor start, but it's finishing - Not Too Bad!
WOW!! Looking forward to the story of this one. :campfire:
Great picture!! Congratulations - like everyone else, can't wait to hear the story.
I held back waiting for Joe to spill the beans on this one but, it looks like the horse is out of the barn. I spoke with Joe and his guide last night. They are both very excited, to say the least.
They'll get out of the backcountry, I just hope they can do it with the vehicles, not relying on the mules. There are no snow plows on those roads.
In closing, the guide did mention this is competing for the biggest cow he's helped take out of the Henry's.
Congrats to Joe. He's on cloud nine.
homebru
That's just way to cool, congrats Joe!
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f71/homebru/IMG954556_zps9e99f098.jpg)
That is soo awesome. Congrats Whip. Cant wait for the story.
Yes sir! Can't wait for the details. I knew you made the right decision to go.
Wow! What an animal! Looking forward to hearing the story on this one! Congratulations Joe!! :clapper:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
That's a lot of good eatin' right there, Joe....and a good adventure, I'll bet,....that we're all waiting to hear! Congrats!
Way to go Joe! That arrow looks like it went coast to coast! What an experience
Smiles all around! Love that picture. Way to go Joe. I look forward to hearing about your hunt.
My "dumb" phone couldn't open Joe's message ... I certainly hoped it was a buffalo picture, and IT WAS :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU !!!!! Can't wait to hear the details, be safe gett'n out of there. Buffalo steaks will look great on the grill at the cabin.
Congratulations Whip! Make certain you send all who congratulated you a 1#bag of Buffalo Jerky when you're done! All who agree say I....I... :dunno: It might work fella's you never know Joe..He has a heart of gold he does...
Nice job Joe. Can't wait to hear the story.
:bigsmyl: wow can't wait to hear the details. Congrats!
Good for you Joe!
:thumbsup:
Favorite meat on the planet.
Awesome! Congrats! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
awesome ! Congrats Joe.
ChuckC
Congratulations Joe!
Congrats Joe,this is a great way to remember 2012!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Safe journey out Joe!! Congratulations.
:clapper: :clapper:
WAY TO GO JOE!!!
That is just awesome
WOWZERS! :eek: What an opportunity and good on you joe!
Congratulations to a well deserving man! Thanks for the pics Shaun...
Awesome Joe! Good luck getting out!
Way to go Joe. Never doubted for a minute you wouldn't deliver the goods on this hunt. I know what I'm eating in late April and it ain't mountain oysters this time!
WAAAAY to go Joe!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
What an accomplishment!!! Anxiously waiting for the story!
Way to go Joe! Never a doubt in my mind...now howz about some buffalo burgers in turkey camp ;)
Way to go! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Nice!
A dream hunt for sure.
:thumbsup: :clapper:
NICE!! Amazing animal, good luck with the rest of the ordeal... I don't envy you on gettin outta there.
Congratulations!! That is an outstanding accomplishment. Waiting for the story.
With a bow no less...! :scared: :eek: :rolleyes: :thumbsup:
I just hope there are no follow up pics of him in a loin cloth or britchens riding down that critter on a horse with an extra arrow in his teeth! :eek:
MRR...fits! Congrats ole hoss. you angst over going for this one this late, and look what you've DONE!!! :thumbsup:
Way to go Joe :thumbsup: Can't wait for the story.
Joe,
well done. That is what legends are made from.
good luck getting out and be safe. I am looking forward to your tale.
:campfire: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Way to go Joe! Ya Joe even looks a little like Clark Kent.LOL Hope ya get down safe and looking forward to the story. :clapper:
Outstanding, Joe!!! Congratulations. I'd say that kill puts you in some pretty select company!! :thumbsup:
WOW what an animal , congrats Whip :thumbsup:
What an awesome animal! Posing with the animal gives a true appreciation for the size and majesty of a buffalo. Congratulations Joe!
Great accomplishment on a majestic animal. :campfire:
Brad
Awesome!!!
Something I would have always liked to do, but now will just live it thru Joe's story.
Great job and Congratulations. Can't wait to hear all about it.
WOW! Congratulations! What a feast you're gonna be having!
Gonna be a great story.
Congratulations on an incredible adventure, Joe! Better be thinking about another freezer, or two.
Wow!! Congrats Joe that is just plain awesome!! :thumbsup:
Steve
Congrats :thumbsup: :clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by Owlgrowler:
NICE!! Amazing animal, good luck with the rest of the ordeal... I don't envy you on gettin outta there.
Truer words have never been spoken...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20Pics%202012/ecc70b7d2bd40b4e50131a2051e2b4dd.jpg)
Great job Joe! Sure am happy for you man! Congratulations! Maybe have a few buffalo burgers at Comptons huh?
Be safe and sure getting off the mountain Joe.
CONGRATS my man!!
I was thinking the same thing Mr.Kissner,I will see Joe at Comptons.
Merry Christmas Indeed.
CTT
I wish I could see a winch on the front of that truck. Hope you got chains!
Great animal on a great hunt. Congrats! :clapper:
Great picture Joe!
Congrats on a early Christmas gift to remember. Safe travels home.
Great Buffalo Joe! Prayer for safe traveling mercies :pray:
And someone said it was one of the toughest hunts they'd ever been on? What a feat. We're proud of you. I tried answering your personal message but it wouldn't go through. Sounds like everything is fine. Speaking for us all, I think we're all very impressed. Congratulations my friend. Tell Irene to start sharpening the knives.. the bull is coming home with a great cow. UB
Amazing animal and what a memory. Congrats
:clapper:
Sounds like roast buffalo for Christmas dinner. Congrats on a once in a lifetime hunt.
Shaun you can cross that off your bucket list way to go, talk about a hard dream hunt it doesnt get any better than that. Ron.
Very nice, congratulations on a successful hunt. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great Job Joe, I can't wait for the story.
:campfire: :campfire: :campfire:
Congrats on a great hunt.Have safe trip off the mountain and going home.
Way to go Joe, can't wait to hear about such a wonderful experience.
Made it back to blacktop about 4 this afternoon. A bit of an adventure coming off, but we made it safely and without breaking anything.
Stopped for the night at my nephews in Vail, CO, and am enjoying a couple of mankind's greatest inventions - hot showers and cool porcelain! Will make a big push for home tomorrow.
Thanks for all the congrats - it truly was the trip of a lifetime for me. Sorry to make y'all wait for the full story, but with driving and then Christmas when I get home it may be a bit yet.
All I can say right now is don't wait to chase your dreams. Grab on tight and don't let go!
You've earned it....we will wait patiently........well, we'll wait!
QuoteOriginally posted by threeunder:
You've earned it....we will wait patiently........well, we'll wait!
Travel safe
Joe my friend, congratulation on what must certainly be the hunt of a lifetime. :thumbsup:
Outstanding! Good for you sir, good for you! :clapper:
Ron
Congrats on the hunt of a lifetime.
We will be waiting for the story when the time is right..... :campfire:
God Speed Whip, glad to hear you are back and headed home safely. And yes, as Mr. Kissner said above..... if we make Compton this year we expect to be dining on Buff Burgers ! I will even stop by the handle factory and bring a bag of TN hickory scraps for some extra flavor. :campfire:
Joe makes it home for Christmas with bison backstraps for Irene and a Christmas story to tell for years. Doesn't get better than that.
We can wait Joe.
Congrats, drive safe, and glad you got off the Mt. That is nerve racking. Haven't had snow, but have had serious mud. Up isn't bad, down is scary.
That's about as fine a Christmas present as one can get. Congrats Joe. Looking forward to hearing the story. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Man o man Joe, I'm tickled for you, that is awesome!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Well done Joe,hope you have two empty chest freezers at home ,your gonna need them!Have a safe trip home.
Leland
Congratulations and safe travels!
Well done, Joe! Great photos, too.
I'm looking forward to the story and more photos if you have some.
Hope you have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
Mike
:archer:
Joe Merry Christmas to you and yours. What a great hunt you had. Hope to hear more latter. MIKE
Awesome Whip. Dream hunt no doubt
Way to go Joe!! Awesome!!! :thumbsup:
Congratulations Joe, looking forward to the story when time permits.
Jay
Congrats Whip, enjoy Christmas......we'll anxiously await your story. Cheers!
I've been working on pictures, and have started the story on the PBS website. Need to upload pictures to Photobucket yet and I will get the story going on here as well.
Got the meat taken care of yesterday, and still need to flesh the skull yet today as well. But I will get to it. Thanks for your patience!
Congratulations! Can't wait for the story.
Cnogratulations!! Can't wait for the story, but you are taking care of the true priorities.
that is COOL! way to go!
Joe, Great job chasing that dream. it's not always easy to make it happen, so a big congrats my friend!
Bill
Joe, congrats on your accomplishment. Looking forward to your tale of the hunt :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats Joe, This is a dream of mine also. I look forward to the story. Santa delived early for you.
Take care,
Congrats, Joe! Looking forward to reading your story and viewing some awesome pix. Tom
Congratulations!
Congrats Joe! :thumbsup:
Congratulations Joe!...a job well done!
:clapper:
Still working on some caping and fleshing, but will get this tale started from the beginning.
Back in late October I walked out to pick up the mail and in sorting through the usual junk I noticed an envelope from the State of Utah. Probably some survey or something I supposed. Imagine my suprise when the letter inside said that I had been chosen for a cow bison tag! Apparently population surveys this year indicated a higher than desired number of bison on the Henry's, so some additional cow permits were approved.
I received the letter on a Monday, and it gave me only until Friday of that week to decide whether or not I wanted to accept the permit. Utah bison tags are "Once In A Lifetime" tags. If I accepted the tag, I would never even be able to apply for this hunt again. I could refuse the tag, and hope to someday draw it again in the normal draw process with more chance to do my research ahead of time. Or I could take this one and scramble to try to make the best of it.
The odds of actually drawing this permit are very low, so I really hadn't done any real research into the hunt. I guess I figured I would cross that bridge when I came to it, and assumed I would have plenty of time to figure it out if it ever happened. Not true!
Phone calls, emails, and internet searches started immediately, and initial reports were not very encouraging. It seems that the Henry Mountains can be one of the most physically demanding hunts in the west. In addition, there would be about 25 other hunters with tags, most of whom would be using rifles. Since most of the tags go to Utah residents, and buffalo tags are highly prized, most hunters line up as many friends and relatives as they can find and bring them along to help locate the herds. I was told to expect to see 10 times as many people as there were available tags.
It quickly became apparent that this was not a trip I could just load up my truck and go camp in the mountains on my own. Competing with so many people, most carrying high powered rifles, and all with lots of help running around on atv's and in trucks. Finding a bison in an reasonably accessible area would probably result in many others who had found the same thing.
The vast majority of my hunting is done on my own, without the help of a guide or outfitter, and I normally much prefer it that way. In this case however, I decided that the only way that I could make this happen would be to find an outfitter that could hunt with horses to help me get away from the crowds.
I received a great tip from my friend Nathan Kanous. It turns out that his wife's cousin is an outfitter in Utah and had a lot of experience hunting Henry Mountain bison. He runs a string of mules, and after talking to him on the phone I was convinced that he would be able to do what I was hoping for.
Arrangements were made, and my hunt was scheduled to begin on December 17th. Depending on how things went there was a very good possibility that I wouldn't make it home for Christmas, so in addition to burning up my Utah bison preference points, I had to cash in every "good husband and father" point I owned at home.
Congrats Joe! Can't wait for the rest of the story and pictures!
Benjy
With such short notice before the hunt, time went by quickly. I wasn't prepared physically for a mountain hunt, let alone in one of the most rugged places in the west. I quickly joined a local gym in an attempt to do what I could. Too little too late, but better than nothing.
I also started shooting as much as I possibly could, extending my normal range to 30 or more yards. I didn't really want to have to shoot that far, but figured practicing at the longer distances might help me push it to a 25 yard shot if needed. I built a special batch of arrows with penetration in mind. I had some older Carbonwood 5000's, added a 100 grain brass insert and topped them with 250 grain VPA 2 blade broadheads. Total arrow weight was 715 grains, and they flew well from my 57@29 RER LX.
Before I knew it, my truck was packed and headed west. I took my time, and stopped for visits with Shaun Webb in Iowa, the Clum family at Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear in Denver, and my nephew Ross in Vail CO.
The outfitter that I was hunting with was Tom Dowland. He hunts not only buffalo, but elk, deer, and bear. His real passion is chasing mountain lions, and although our focus for this trip would be buffalo, he did bring some dogs along "just in case." Tom was headed to the mountain to set up camp on Saturday, and although my tag wasn't valid until Monday he welcomed me to join them early. A couple of days to acclimate are always a good idea on a mountain hunt, so I jumped at the chance.
The Henry's had received a fresh blanket of the first snow of the season just the night before, and as we headed higher the scenery was just more and more spectacular.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo038_zps3862c585.jpg)
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Simply *awesome*....
Keep it comin' Joe!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
After setting up camp on Saturday we had all day Sunday to play before the season opened. With the fresh snow conditions were perfect for lion hunting, so the dogs got loaded in the boxes on the back of the utv's and we watched for fresh tracks as we scouted a bit for buffalo as well.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo021_zps9b2415bb.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo036_zps062c9b11.jpg)
I'm not positive, but I think the top of this mountain is something around 11,000 feet.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo032_zpsfc44d8b7.jpg)
Mountain top at 10X Zoom.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo031_zps64f4f447.jpg)
My first buffalo sighting!! But man, they were in a tough spot! I sure hoped we'd be able to find some that were just a little bit lower....
We continued on, and eventually did find one fresh lion track. But it was a fairly small one, and headed into a really rugged canyon. Although it would have been cool to see one up close in a tree, we chose not to chase it. I needed to save my strength for the morning! Later on I did spot one more group of buffalo, but again they were WAYYYYYYY up on top! :eek: This was looking even tougher than I had feared!! :scared:
Really neat pic of Bison on the hoof.
What a place!
Thanks for taking the time to tell the tale, but posting that hero shot sealed your fate, I guess.
Much appreciated, regardless.
Oh, this is going to be good.
Keep it coming
:campfire: :campfire: :campfire:
Looking forward to the rest of the story. Congrats in advance on a great hunt.
:campfire:
Joe,
Was this area the subject of a wildfire in the fairly recent past (2003)? That would explain some of the "sticks dressed in snow" passing as trees.
I seem to recall some burned trees in Kim's great-uncle's and cousin's pictures.
homebru
Joe, This is Great already. :thumbsup:
:campfire:
Awesome looking country Joe!
Nathan, yes, this was the area that was burned off, and I think you are right that it was 2003. While the burnt timber looks like it must have been devastating, in reality it opened up the cover and allowed browse to flourish, creating fantastic wildlife habitat. The bison and mule deer have been the primary beneficiaries.
Opening morning of the buffalo season brought a new perspective of the mountains. We couldn't see a thing! Clouds had rolled in during the night, and we were in the middle of them. We puttered anxiously around camp hoping and praying that rising thermals might lift the ceiling. The mules were saddled and ready to go, but it didn't do much good to ride around blindly, not to mention it could be dangerous to not be able to pick the best route through some of that terrain. By noon it became apparent that this was about it for the day. The cloud ceiling hung no more than 100 feet above our heads. We could see down the valleys fairly well, but had hoped to hunt uphill, and it was nothing but soup as soon as you looked up.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo067_zps5bfd8188.jpg)
Sometime during the night what appeared from tracks to have been a buffalo bull had wandered through only 30 yards from our tent. Following those tracks downhill we found more tracks. We took a ride on the mules to follow as best we could, but it wasn't long before they disappeared into the clouds. We were afraid that even if we did push them and come upon the herd, all we would accomplish would be to bump them out of the area.
We took a circular ride a bit lower on the mountain, but other than a few old tracks and beds, didn't see anything else that day.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo056_zpsa99f6fa3.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo058_zpsbc20d31e.jpg)
:campfire: :archer2:
Day number two dawned with more of the same. Only this time the ceiling was even lower. We took a ride down the mountain in the truck and couldn't drop out of the clouds. With very low temperatures in the forecast we decided to spend the day cutting firewood for the wood stove. It was looking like we would want a good supply.
Man I hate it when the weatherman is right! Day three brought heavy snows and high winds. We were trapped in the tent once again, but happy to have a good stash of wood. Other than the short exploratory mule ride on the first day I really hadn't even hunted yet. It was hard to crack a smile. I was glad that I had stopped on my way out and bought a couple of paperback books.
Overnight lows were in the double digit NEGATIVE side of zero!! It actually sounds worse than it was though. A wall tent with a wood stove makes for a very comfortable camp in just about any conditions, and we were fine. The biggest challenge was handling nature calls.
At least the forecast for the next day called for clearing skies. We would wait until the sun had a chance to warm things a bit, but at least it looked like we would get to hunt!!
Joe,
Thanks for sharing your story. I can't wait to hear the rest of it!
John
Oh man! Anxiously waiting for the rest! You're killing me here Sir!!!
Told you they were rugged :) wished I could have made it up there with you. Thanks for taking the time for the story.
This is awesome......CONGRATS BROTHER!
:coffee:
Had to check in on this one first thing!
:campfire:
Keep em coming Joe :thumbsup:
:campfire:
Loving it!!! :bigsmyl:
In addition to being home of one of the only free ranging bison herds in the country, the Henry Mountains are also one of the best mule deer units to be found anywhere. We saw plenty of really nice bucks, but I never seemed to have my camera ready at the right time for pictures of them. I don't claim to be an expert field judge, but I swear that one buck I got a very good look at would have easily surpassed the magical 30" mark.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo099_zps1d332c9c.jpg)
My trusty stead Jakey is sizing me up wondering how in the world he is going to carry my fat rear end up and down those mountains.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo054_zpsed0801c4.jpg)
He lucked out though. After the three bad days of weather that kept us camp bound, we actually only ended up hunting two days. And on each of them we were fortunate to spot buffalo just a short ways out of camp. The first day they were bedded on an open slope with no chance for an approach into longbow range. I spent the entire afternoon perched above them hoping that when they finally got up they might move to a more approachable spot. Of course that didn't happen, and we backed off to leave them for the next morning and hope we could find them again.
The following morning found us saddled up a little earlier, and it wasn't long before we found the same group. Leaving the guides with the mules, I took off on my own. It took a few approaches, and about three hours, but I was getting close.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo104_zpsb57bec46.jpg)
Sometimes in hunting it seems like everything that can go wrong does, and nothing you do can change the outcome. Animals turn the wrong way, another hunter interferes, the wind swirls just a bit at exactly the wrong time. So many things can go wrong at the moment of truth. This day would be different though. Everything went as if I had written a script and the buffalo had it memorized. The terrain allowed me a silent and unseen approach to less than 20 yards, and I think my jaw dropped in amazement as I watched my shaft disappear in the cows side.
Buffalo Down!! I could hardly believe what had just happened, and stood on the ridge for a long time afterward soaking it all in and making sure she wasn't going anywhere.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo111_zps700a5f9c.jpg)
Buffalo are big animals, and I had been worried about penetration if I did get lucky enough to get a shot. I was shooting an RER LX takedown longbow that pulls 57# at my 29" draw. I built some heavyweight arrows using a batch of old Carbonwood 5000 shafts that I had laying around. They were tipped with 250 grain VPA 2 blade heads with an additional 100 grain brass insert up front. Total arrow weight was 715 grains.
Penetration was fantastic! After entering near the last rib on a hard quatering away shot, more than half of the arrow shaft was sticking out in front of the opposite leg.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo123_zpscc4eadfe.jpg)
I had seen her go down of course, so no trailing was needed, but nothing beats a blood trail in fresh snow!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo121-001_zps0849979f.jpg)
I'm a happy boy now!!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo131_zps03e0f7e3.jpg)
I'm sure you noticed the collars on the buffalo in the picture above. From what I have read there was a project conducted a couple of years ago during which a number of bison were fitted with radio collars. I have contacted the Utah Game and Fish department and will be sending them back of course. I sure hope that I will be able to get some information from them on the history behind my cow.
I also want to sing a few praises for my outfitter, Tom Dowland, and his nephew Nate Dowland who helped with the guiding and camp chores. As I mentioned before, I normally don't do guided hunts. I prefer to be on my own, making my own mistakes, and to have nobody but myself to blame when things go wrong. I haven't been on many guided hunts, but I have had some disappointments that have made me very leary. I so much as swore I would never do another one. But the circumstances of this trip seemed to leave me with little choice, so I went ahead and took a chance. I couldn't be more happy with the way it turned out.
Tom is the real deal when it comes to a guide and outfitter. Although not extravegant, his camp set up and gear had everything we needed to have a successful and safe hunt. He knew the mountains, and the animals that lived there. He knew how to get us away from other hunters, and to me that was the key. Best of all, Tom allowed me the freedom to do my part and actually be a hunter. He put me in the right spot, and from there it was all up to me. He listened to what my thoughts were, gave what advice he could, and cut me loose. I have no interest in following someone around until they tell me it's time to shoot as is common with many guides.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo048_zps10a5e9ff.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Utah%20Buffalo/UtahBuffalo050_zps16ead2d6.jpg)
If anyone ever is looking for an outfitter in the Henry Mountains, or anywhere in Utah for that matter, Tom is the man. And his tales of elk hunts and lion chases have me hoping that this hunt with him won't be my last. Hunting with Tom was a very refreshing change for me, and came away with a new found respect for outfitters. He and Nate were truly as excited with my success as I was myself, and it was a joy to share the experience with them.
:campfire: :archer: Good stuff here Joe!
Great story.
Very exciting story Joe.Thanks for taking us along.Congratulations on a fine cow.Mike :campfire:
Good stuff! Thanks for posting.
Just curious (Maybe I missed it?) how long did it take Mrs. Bison to go down?
Wow! Joe thanks for taking us along. Looks like a fine cow and a lot of great meat.
You'll need to share the story in person however when we meet up this summer.
Mike
Great hunt, congrat's!
I dont know which you do best, cow kill or story tell. Excellent Joe. Congrats
That's a whole lot of hamburgers right there. Congrats again Joe.
gringol, after the shot she ran about 70 yards before stopping. She stood there for what seemed like forever - maybe 5 - 10 minutes - and then took a few steps before laying down. Even then she didn't give it up easily, and it took another 5 - 10 minutes before she rolled onto her side for good.
We used the gutless method to cut her up, so I didn't do a full autopsy. But I did pull out the heart, and the arrow had passed through the connective chambers at the top of the heart. She had sprung a serious leak, yet still held on for a good long while.
Joe One of the few men getting to do it all in retirement very happy for you.See you soon. :thumbsup: :notworthy: :clapper:
Fantastic hunt Joe, congratulations. How much meat do you think you netted out of the animal? Any idea how old she was.
Joe, You ARE the man!! When people start talking cows, (does), my mind starts to wander... But that is something else. Fine looking animal. What are you doing with the head/hide? Buffalo robe in the old teepee for those cold fall nights? Congrats Brother
No idea on the meat yeild. I did leave a front shoulder in Colorado with my poor, young, starving nephew. I would guess the total is somewhat similar to a bull elk. A cow bison probably weighs more, but there is a lot of head, hide, and big bones in that pile.
I am doing a european mount of the skull, and will have the hide tanned with the hair on. She was a beautiful animal. I wish that I had a place for a full shoulder mount, but I hope these turn out good.
Mr. Whip Lash! My, my...what a difference a year makes, eh?
I recall your angst here seeking guidance and suggestions when the letter came. Saw later you made the decision to "GO FOR IT!"
What a wondrous experience you made of it. Takes the right person to be tent-bound for 3 days on a once-in-a-lifetime hunt and remain positive. I'd expect no less from your positive minded self!
Congrats of course! What a treasure for having taken a risk! You are a blessed man.
Next you'll have to do a Charlie Lamb Book! You have grand tales to tell of your hunts!
Congratulations Joe! Awesome hunt with a great outcome.
Joe, GREAT job on the hunt, and on the adaptations you made to put it all together. The outfitter sounded wonderful, but the hunt was all you in the end! Fine job of documenting and telling the story. It was like being there... without getting so cold! :saywhat:
Congratulations!!!!! :archer:
Great story! I'm glad it worked out so well for you. Maybe next year I will have the oppertunity to tell a bison story.
What an awesome tale of adventure Joe. Congrats again.
Incredible!
Thanks for sharing!
:clapper:
Wonderful story Joe! A beautiful animal for sure. So proud for you man!
Whip,
This story was well worth the wait my friend ! Made for an awesome read during the morning Joe. Congrats again and could not have happened to a finer gent !
Very cool!!
Congrats Whip! what a grand adventure you had.I am happy it all came together for you. :thumbsup:
Congratulations. You get to cross one off your "Bucket List." A great story and pictures. Thanks for posting
Awesome pics and story!
Congratulations, Joe I'm very happy for you! :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Kip:
Joe One of the few men getting to do it all in retirement very happy for you.See you soon. :thumbsup: :notworthy: :clapper:
You can say that again!! What's next Joe? I have 15 years left till I MIGHT be able to retire. Until then, I need you to keep hunting and telling stories!! :goldtooth:
way to go Joe!! Man i can't imagine the adren rush you must have had when you watched you arrow slam into that buff! WOW
Awesome, Congrats! Someday I hope to draw a tag there! Maybe next year!!! ;)
Great story Joe. :thumbsup: I'll bet you were kinda pooped out for Christmas after a run like that. Congrats on a nice kill my friend... :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
What a wonderful adventure. Great job Joe!
Fantastic adventure!
Not a bad looking camp at all. Getting the chance to "go for it" is definitely the way to roll.
Great that you got to experience a good outfitter. Most of them are, I believe.
Joe, what a simply awesome tale!
Congrats again and if I could find a better way to say it I would.
I've told people at work, out shopping, and even at the post office and every time the same reaction....."he did what with a longbow?" Looking forward to hearing the story re-told in person and getting to see the rug someday.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures and knowing you took the time during your stalk to take photos says it all.
Way to go!!
You have to love what a 700+ grain arrow can do.
Excellent read, and congratulations Joe! Beautiful country, and what an end to a once-in-a-lifetime hunt.
Andrew
Again Joe, congrats and thanks for taking us along! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats Whip and thanks for sharing the hunt and pics with us.
Congratulations on a fine trophy and thanks for the story!
Awesome!!!
Well done sir! Congratulations
Absolutely AWESOME!!!! Congrats Joe!
Benjy
Congratulations, what a hunt! I love seeing pics of the Henrys as I was born not too far from there.
Joe, congratulations on fine trophy and hunt. It would be tough to be stuck in camp for three days, but it couldn't have turned out better. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great hunt, good job!! Very cool JOE!
Fantastic tale. I dream hunt for sure!
Amazing Joe!!!
You just step into the Traditional Twilight Zone... Congratulations, Wow what a hunt and tale :)
:campfire:
Thanx for taking the time brother...that was awesome!!
Congrats again on a truly "once in a lifetime" hunt :notworthy:
Congratulations to a very deserving bowhunter. Thanks for the story, and looking forward to shaking your hand at the banquet.
Congrats Joe. :thumbsup:
Thanks for taking us along on your hunt. It sounds like a real emotional roller coaster and I'm glad it ended on the high side for you, congratulations!
-Jay
Just awesome man!
Joe,
Once again, congratulations! Thanks for the recounting, it was an excellent read.
As always; You done good....really good!
Buff or no Buff,
You are now my Hero!!!
Thanks for sharing! That was an great story and a hunt of a lifetime! Just AWESOME!
Wow, what a great read Joe. Thanks for the ride on such a unique hunt. I can only imagine the rush of feelings you got after getting in so close to that cow and making it count. Awesome.
Congratulations. :clapper:
Congrates again Whip on your hunt of a life time. Just a beautiful Buff and an awesome adventure. :thumbsup:
Great work on a once in a life time hunt, What a great thing to experience.
Big Congrats Joe!
Congrats on yer buff.Enjoyed the pics and the story.There is 1 thing that i couldnt help but notice and it confuses me a bit.You state many times through the story,that it was a cow tag and that it was a cow that was taken.Yet,the title of the thread states,TATONKA.Contrary to popular belief,due to Dances with wolfs,the word Tatanka is not translated as Buffalo or Cow.It translates as BULL.Pte would work though.
What a great trophy! Thanks Joe for taking us along on your amazing hunt! Wonderful pictures and a very well written story! :clapper:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Traxx - Huh, I didn't know that. Always thought it was a generic term, but now I know better. Since Shaun started the thread for me, I guess I'll just blame him :biglaugh:
Technically speaking of course, it really wasn't a buffalo either. The american version of the beast is more correctly called a bison.
Pte doesn't have quite the same ring to it, but it works for me. No matter what you call it, she will remain my trophy of a lifetime!
Great pictures and better story, congrats on a great hunt Whip. Thanks for sharing :clapper:
That is just truly an awesome trophy no matter what you want to call it.Congratulations Joe. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats again. For me this was easily the TG hunt of the year. Very cool.
Congrats Joe!!!
Way to go! Congratulations Joe. Definitely the hunt of a lifetime and one fine adventure. Thanks for taking us along.
Just catching this... Nice tale on a terrific tag!
:notworthy: :clapper:
Congatulations Joe!
Great story and beautiful pictures.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Heap Big Medicine ! Congrats !
Awesome story! Congratulations on your incredible hunt. :)
Joe,
Been unpacking and setting up the Aiken farm for the past 3 days. First time I've sat down at the puter to read Trad Gang. Congrats again...see I told you so! Now don't eat too much as we've got Cajun food on the burner....tippit
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
Congrats again. For me this was easily the TG hunt of the year. Very cool.
Couldn't have said it better :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awesome story ! Congrats! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Way to go, Joe! Good job on making the decision 'to go for it'! Congratulations and thanks for sharing an excellent adventure!
Kenny
Joe
Just catching up on this thread. Congratulations!!
I went to school with Nate. He seemed to get most the answers right on exams too. I guess he knows his guides about as well as his pharmaceutics.
Not sure how I missed this one. What a story! Way to go Joe!
And bison burgers are great eating too!
Congratulations Joe, Great job brother! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Congrats, and great story!
TTT, one of my favorites
How in the world did I miss the Finale? That's incredible. A few years ago I got an up close look at some bison on Camp Pendleton; beautiful animal.
Just read this hunt again. What a great adventure. Congrats again
Don't know how I missed it but what a hunt of a lifetime! CONGRATS ON A JOB WELLDONE!!
A good one for sure! Curious if you ever got any info back from Utah on the collar Joe?
Wow - cool to see this thread back up. It sure brings back one of the best memories of my life.
Aaron, no, I never did get any info back on the collar although I did email requesting it a couple of times. I do think she was a pretty old girl though. Generally bison meat is thought to be excellent, but this one gave my teeth a workout. The back straps were fine, but I tried everything I could think of to make tender steaks without much success. Roasts in a slow cooker all day were good, but the majority of the meat was either canned or ground into burger, which was excellent.
I'm looking at the euro mount of her right now.
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I also had the hide tanned with the hair on and that covers the back of a love seat in our living room. Unique trophy of a lifetime for sure!
Awesome. .what a great story and ending..
Mac
I like that Skull. I bet she would almost make the book if you had her scored.
Nice Joe, I enjoyed reading the story again
Did you make it home for Christmas??
Great story!!
Great story and hunt !
That skull looks awesome.
Randy, I did try measuring it, but she is short. If I remember right it was somewhere in the mid 80" range. 90 is minimum. Pretty tough for cows to make it since they raised the min. Scores are nice, but personally, it doesn't matter at all to me. She is a trophy in every way.
I agree completely my friend.
Simply Awesome Brother!
Brought a smile to my face to see this back up top. Always a pleasure to see good friends accomplish hunting goals. Congratulations again, buddy. The memory of this hunt will keep you warm through many a Wisconsin winter. That and your camper parked in Arizona or Florida...