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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: cacciatore on August 06, 2014, 06:25:00 AM

Title: Bison fever
Post by: cacciatore on August 06, 2014, 06:25:00 AM
I am thinking to hunt bison, what are the best place and where to apply?
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Terry Lightle on August 06, 2014, 06:51:00 AM
My youngest son has got the hankering too
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: cacciatore on August 06, 2014, 08:05:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by okla bearclaw:
My youngest son has got the hankering too
We could share the camp,so I can have a tab for free.LOL
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: OBXarcher on August 06, 2014, 10:02:00 AM
This in one on my list for the next year or two.

Good many places to go if you do a search. Free range, wild buffalo are mostly on reservations from what I've seen. Lots of ranches have them but not sure how wild they are. Sure it's not easy either way when you're talking about a 1500-2200# animal.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: cacciatore on August 06, 2014, 10:29:00 AM
Yes,I am looking for a free range buffalo.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Steve O on August 06, 2014, 10:45:00 AM
Felix,

Custer State Park in South Dakota. You can't hunt the trophy bulls with bow but you can hunt the cows and younger bulls.

Other than that, odds are VERY bad in AZ, WY, UT, and Alaska. Very expensive and tough bowhunting in BC (Pink Mountains) and Yukon (Tim Mervyn).
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Daz on August 06, 2014, 11:29:00 AM
Steve is right about the BC hunt being tough (deep snow/cold), but expense is a relative thing. Pay nothing to never hunt (can't get a tag), or admit that a once in lifetime opportunity that is open to a handful of people a year in the world costs money.

It is a coveted LEH tag for residents, but the logistics make it tough even for the average local to put together.

Mike and Dixie Hammett at Sikanni River are the folks to talk to if you ever decide to go the BC route.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: ursusmajor on August 06, 2014, 11:50:00 AM
Steve,  any idea how the non resident odds are in SD?
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Steve O on August 06, 2014, 05:56:00 PM
Have not looked since I found out the big bull hunt is rifle only.  I bet it is on the SD website somewhere.  I'd want more than 3 days to do it with my bow anyway.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Hopewell Tom on August 06, 2014, 06:14:00 PM
Find out what Whip did, he got one last year.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: awbowman on August 06, 2014, 06:14:00 PM
It seems that Whip went a few years ago on a draw hunt.  May want to search some old posts.  Think it was in the Henry Mountains.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Steve O on August 06, 2014, 06:33:00 PM
Don't plan on the Whip "technique". He has been given two Utah tags that were turned in by other hunters. He has "lotto" luck. Not going to happen for anyone else.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: awbowman on August 06, 2014, 06:41:00 PM
Love it Steve O., the old Whip technique!    :laughing:
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: J-dog on August 06, 2014, 07:26:00 PM
Saw on TV a hunt done in Mexico? Free range but no clue past that.

Terry who runs the site killed one did he not?

Best of luck how ever you work it out.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Homebru on August 06, 2014, 09:22:00 PM
UT. See Whip's thread.  But, I'm biased.
homebru
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on August 06, 2014, 11:32:00 PM
Hey Felix, I will take the meat since u wont be flying home with it.  You can eat some of it each year u visit.  Sound good:)  lol
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: damascusdave on August 07, 2014, 12:02:00 AM
Alberta once again has a free range bison hunt in the High Level area...I know there are a couple of outfitters offering hunts...these are Wood Bison, the biggest subspecies

DDave
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: cacciatore on August 07, 2014, 03:30:00 AM
Thanks Keith,you are so human,but this can be a real problem,I always give away my meet to friends since I can't take it home..your wild boar salami and stews are already waiting for you here.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: cacciatore on August 07, 2014, 03:31:00 AM
Keep informations coming.
Thanks Dave, interesting.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: AkDan on August 07, 2014, 03:53:00 AM
Alaska has wild buffalo, free range...but good luck drawing!
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Whip on August 07, 2014, 11:09:00 PM
SteveO is right, the odds of doing it the way I did aren't good.  Then again, as I proved, someone is going to get the tag!
One thing that I did on my UT hunt was to apply for a cow tag instead of a bull.  To me, a cow bison is a wonderful trophy.  That cut the odds down from 1 in 1,500 to a somewhat better 1 in 100 chance to draw.  Still not good, but keep building points to increase your odds and maybe????

Here is a link to the thread of my hunt.  Truly a hunt of a lifetime.  
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=123981#000000

If money is no object I think there are some auction hunts that are sold to raise money for UT sportsman groups.  I could be wrong - I know they do it for deer and elk, but think bison tags are auctioned also.  I haven't researched them, but from what I understand you need VERY deep pockets.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: R.V.T.B. on August 08, 2014, 12:00:00 AM
You might want to contact Nathan Andersohn on the PBS site.  He did an excellent seminar on bow hunting bison at the Nashville banquet.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: twitchstick on August 08, 2014, 01:21:00 AM
If you get lucky and can draw a tag in Utah it is a good choice. That's what I'm banking on. My brother drew with 0 points you just never know.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: cacciatore on August 08, 2014, 07:57:00 AM
Thanks guys,always helpful.
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Roadkill on August 09, 2014, 10:03:00 AM
On my bucket list
Title: Re: Bison fever
Post by: Ulysseys on August 09, 2014, 02:30:00 PM
Has anyone actually done the Custer hunt? Is it worthwhile at all?