gjn
.30 Stingray
Posts: 491
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Post by gjn on Aug 16, 2012 9:26:15 GMT -5
I was looking for recommendations for a good place to hunt buffalo (American Bison) from those who have been there and done that. I understand it may not be the toughest of hunts but I don't want to shoot a fish in a barrel. The wilder the better. Thank you for any suggestions.
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robl
.375 Atomic
These were the good ole days!
Posts: 1,415
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Post by robl on Aug 16, 2012 10:14:05 GMT -5
Texas panhandle circa 1870?
Ken O'Neill will see your question and have some sage advice.
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Post by nolongcolt on Aug 16, 2012 11:37:02 GMT -5
This is something I too would like to do someday. I believe the only true wild hunt may be those up north in Canada. Lots of places to hunt them here but it wont really be wild.
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Post by toroflow on Aug 16, 2012 11:54:58 GMT -5
I would recommend your local Wal-Mart!!  OK, sorry, I just had to say it!! LOL |
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COR
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Post by COR on Aug 16, 2012 12:16:12 GMT -5
Buffalo just aren't that kind of game...you harvest buffalo. You don't really hunt them.
Probably why a bunch of whisky drinking fellas with blackpowder rifles and cartridges and a pan full of pig lead almost wiped them out ...
It's all what you make of it too. I've seen a guy put a coyote skin on his back and get within 50yds with his 50-70 while low crawling in his buckskin. You can also stand back at 200 and shoot them with a 30-06 from on top of a truck if you so desire...
They are like cows by nature, they just aren't as wild as folks want to believe..I am sure there is an exception now and then but mostly it's just a matter of accurate bullet placement.
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Post by whitworth on Aug 16, 2012 13:06:29 GMT -5
They are like cows by nature, they just aren't as wild as folks want to believe..I am sure there is an exception now and then but mostly it's just a matter of accurate bullet placement. It's a good thing! Can you imagine more than a ton of pissed off bovine flesh hell-bent on stomping you into oblivion? But, like all bovines, they too can be nasty tempered for no good reason. |
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Post by dlhredfoxx on Aug 16, 2012 14:30:09 GMT -5
I read an article sometime in the past couple of years (EBJ maybe), about a guy who drew an archery tag somewhere near the Grand Canyon (can't remember if it was NV or AZ) to hunt free ranging bison. Ended up killing a huge bull... from the story I remember thinking of how it seemed like a real bonafide hunt, fair chase, DIY, lots of boot miles, all that stuff...
Also seen hunts where it's pretty much like picking out a christmas tree on a corner lot...
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Post by sixshot on Aug 16, 2012 14:38:13 GMT -5
I know Utah has a free ranging hunt in the Henry Mountains.
Dick
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
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Post by dmize on Aug 16, 2012 15:43:34 GMT -5
I know of a fella that was asked to cull a bull on a ranch,apparently the bull really didnt like getting plugged with a 50-110,original Sharps or not,and it came really close to getting ugly.
But I also know a couple other guys that have hunted them and they basically made it sound like COR,it is what you make it. These guys are older fellas and set ground rules before hand,mainly distance. One used an original 45-70 Roller and the other an original 45-90 Sharps and no shot was past 75 yards if I remember correctly. They both got their animals following there rules and are justly very happy.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Aug 16, 2012 18:13:13 GMT -5
For free range wild hunts, try applying in Utah to hunt the Henry River herd in the Henry Mountains. It's a once in a lifetime draw, if I remember correctly (I was actually drawn the first year I applied though). Custer State Park also has free range draw hunts in South Dakota. Most bison, though, are hunted on private property. Marion and Mary Scott are guides that hunt bulls on the Durham buffalo ranch in Wyoming south of Gillette, the site of the past HHI Antelope Hunts. I have had 3 good bison hunts with B&B Trophy Bison Hunts near Atkinson Nebraska with Wayne and Tim Braun, on 2 different properties which have breeding herds, which is important to me.. Most bison hunts can be what you make them. I only hunt with handguns any more, and I like to get as close as possible to any game, which adds to the excitement. Doing that, I've taken bison with revolvers at 76 yards after crawling quite a distance and not being able to get any closer:  At less than 50 yards after a couple days of hunting a very jittery herd (and damned near drowning in a freak accident)  And at 55 yards in a nice snow storm.:  All 3 of those hunts were real hunting ... except you knew the game was there somewhere. Selecting the right animal you want and ensuring it is clear, with none behind it, adds to the challenge and flavor of the hunt. Hunting the largest herds can add to the excitement because of the number of eyes that can be on you. When they take a notion to spook, they run ... and bison can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. Bison prices have gone through the roof in the last 2 years. I'm almost out of bison meat, and have begun looking around. Frankly, I've been shocked at the amount of price increase. Evidently, more and more people have discovered the excellent flavor of the meat, and the old supply and demand is at work. |
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Post by nolongcolt on Aug 16, 2012 22:03:53 GMT -5
The Troy Lions club in Idaho has been having a drawing for years for a buff hunt. I havent bought tickets for a while but if they are still doing that it might be worth a look.
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Post by sixshot on Aug 16, 2012 22:06:22 GMT -5
Ken, I think you've told us before but what guns/loads did you use. I'm pretty sure at least one was with your 475.
Dick
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Post by Freedom on Aug 16, 2012 22:25:29 GMT -5
I have been looking all over for the information, but can't seem to find it. A few years ago there was a ranch that offered hunts in Montana. The camp was very traditional and you stayed in a one room, dirt floor, sod roofed cabin and then the next morning you got to chase the buffalos from horse or foot with the weapon of your choice. They really pushed the use of buffalo sharps rifles, but allowed handgun and archery. After a kill was made they went and got a tractor. But you had the option of packing your kill out on horses if you wanted. This is a link to a chase style hunt for yearling bulls here.. But it sure seems like it might be a little to much "babysitting" by them for my taste?? From reading there site, it makes me think your guide might show up in Dreadlocks and sandles,,,,stinking of Patchouli Oil ...LOL www.crazywomanbison.com/index.htm They really need some pressure to remove there handgun restriction. We need to get about 200 menbers together to email them requesting some handgun hunts....I am sure that they would change there minds about the subject if they were properly introduced to the 500 Linebaugh |
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Aug 17, 2012 7:03:23 GMT -5
Ken, I think you've told us before but what guns/loads did you use. I'm pretty sure at least one was with your 475. Dick Dick, On one bison, I used a .475 L 9" FA and a 400 gr. XTP driven by 25.6 gr 296 (1380 fps), for a 1 shot kill @ 76 yds. I used this same gun and load in Argentina on large water buffalo, where I also used a 420 WFN driven by 26 gr. 296 (also 1380 fps). On 2 bison I used 6" FA .500 WE's and a 350 XTP driven by 31 gr. H-110 and Fed 210's for 1350 fps. Also good for 1 shot kills @ ~ 50 & 55 yds. Ken |
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Post by Freedom on Aug 17, 2012 9:49:33 GMT -5
So Ken, did your 400 gr XTP 475 bullet exit the buff??? Was it a big buff??
I like the xtp, but they are a spendy. I know they often expand and stop in the cavity... But the new heavy design jacket will often fail to expand at slow(er) velocity...in which case I feel I should save the $ and shoot cast.
Thanks
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