My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

2004 is the start of my 48th year of bowhunting (yes-I am gettin old) & I just got back from a fun filled hunt with 2 of my friends from Maryland. We were on a 4 day your choice Cow/Bull bowhunt on working cattle ranch that has a herd of Buffalo on (I believe) 3000 acres of the ranch set aside for Bowhunting. I was up for any adult Buffalo & could care less about his or her sex. Well, late afternoon of the 2nd day after many miles of crawling, sneaking, stalking & being busted only to see Buffalo leave you in the dust I got my chance. We were at the end of a small wooded ravine/stram when we spotted 30 or so Buffs headed for a water hole approx. 1/2 mile away. They were going to pass within about 80 yards (to far) so we just crouched down & single file (cross wind) eased forward & parrell to them-they were headed for a small ridge & as we moved along we were actually coming closer together. Finally Michael (my guide) ranged the nearest at 41 yards-10 had already passed & this was about the middle of the group. I stood up (barley able-stiff ya know) & sent my 2216 aluminum tipped with a 3 Blade Rocky Mountain Ironhead on it's way-The arrow passed thru but was above the lungs & below the hump-blood was coming out & the big Cow ran forwrd & then a Bull & 2 cows cut her back into the middle of the group-they started trotting so we high tailed it into a ravine & out the other side-at least a dozen had already passed our ambush point when we spotted my Cow with the blood -she came by & I sent another arrow at 30 yards right thru the heart (Lucky me-another pass thru) & she went another 20 yards & folded. It was great & my Cow was estimated at around 900 lbs. My 2 friends also tagged Buffalo b/4 the 4 days was up-another 900# Cow & Cliff a very respectable Bull guessing around 1100-1200.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Cool hunt sounds like a good time was had by all.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Congrats on the hunt. Good to see someone a little older than me still bowhuntin.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

congrats, sounds like it was a lot of fun.:)

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Congrats to a great hunt. Just wondering what type of equipment and poundage you were using.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

congratulations!! Sounds like you all had a great hunt.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Congrats and thanks for posting it. It was enjoyable! Juniorpc.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

congrat's on the buffalo ,love the story .

nubo

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

I used a 60# Darton Compound & a 2216 Aluminum Arrow tipped with a 3 Blade Rocky Mountain Ironhead. Complete pass thrus.
this is my Buddies Bull & he used 70 lb. PSE & a 2 blade Broadhead.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

man I'm jealous, buffalo meat is almost like elk meat...greatness.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

I have heard people talk about how easy it is to hunt buffalo. I know a couple of guys who go every year and they say it is one of the hardest hunts they have ever done.

Congrats and good eating.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Congrats on the tatonka. I've always wanted to hop on a horse bareback and chase one down like the natives did before the buffalo was all but wiped out. I'm sure that was a hell of a rush to see a critter so large so close. Congrats again. I'm envious:)

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Buffalo hunting is no walk in the park with a Bow. The terraine is mostly open & rolling hills where we hunted. Kinda reminded me of the 2 Caribou hunts I have been on. get to a high spot-glass, move & glass till you spot them. Then wait & see direction they are traveling-check the wind & locate your ambush spot-then, get to it without being seen-they have VERY good eyes. get there, set up & wait, hoping they pass close for a bow shot. We averaged getting set up 5-6 times each day & they either spotted us or angled off to far away for a shot. IF you manage to shoot one-the other Buffalo will mill arounf the down animal & seem to be pushing & prodding the down animal-they will do this from a few min. to 15-20 min. IF you get one down & another hunter is there he will be able to get in close for a bow shot. No wonder they were such easy pickins in the old days-every time one goes down, they just mingle around. Now I understand how the old Buff hunters would kill so many in a stand.
It is a fun time & for you younger fellas a excellent hunt with the stalking, crawling, running & getting busted. It is just exciting all the time trying to outsmart your quarry. I must say-at my age-the 2 days took it's toll on me. If i had not tagged mine late that 2nd day I would have had to pass on the 3rd morning-I was DONE IN. Yes, I would do it all over. In fact, as we ate Buffalo Roast last evening my wife said-I may "LET YOU GO AGAIN" this meat is so good. Their price is very good & the staff is great. My total hunt cost ( 4 days lodging, guiding-License-cut & wrap & frozen-skinning) was $1130 & I got 300 plus pounds of meat. So, thats about $3.00 a pound & an excellent buy at todays meat prices. "IF" you can see it in your budget, go for it. I hope all have an excellent 2004 Bowhunting season-mine has started out great.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Congrats it sounds like you had a great hunt!!!!!!

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Sounds like a great hunt! Enjoy the meat, some of those steaks go for $25 a pound, and it is all just the best meat there is. Good for you too. Congratulations!

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Where in Maryland?

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

Congrats on your hunt. What a great story to go along with the picture. I've had buffalo a couple of times and it was good everytime. What part of the country did your hunt take place in? Congrats again.

RE: My Buffalo Bowhunt
 

The hunt took place in Texas on a working cattle ranch that has (I believe) the Buffalo on a 3000 acre section for Bowhunting only. My friends live near Annopolis Md.. As my ol body heals I forget the aches & pains I endured during this hunt. Maybe, I will have forgotten all by next March since mama has said she would "LET" me go again....
good hunting to all this season. Seein Turkeys now ya know. It is great to be "RETIRED".