Comparing two bison hunts

[QuazyQuinton]

So my wife and I have talked about going on a bison hunt sometime. We would be looking for meat and adventure, so we wouldn't feel a need to hold out for a bull. The two cow hunts I've read about are the Wyoming hunt around Jackson and the Henry Mountains hunt in Utah. I've looked at the state websites for each hunt, so I'm familiar with draw process, draw odds, etc. What I'm here to ask is what are the significant differences between the hunts (terrain, season timing, access issues, etc.) that would go into choosing between them. I don't care what you would choose; I'm trying to gather comparative info so I can decide what would work best for us. I've been through both states on the interstate, but that's the extent of my experience. Thanks for your help.

QQ

 

[WY ME]

My wife has been fortunate enough to have drawn 2 bull buffalo hunts in WY and I can say the bulls are definitely more huntable than the cows. The cows are almost impossible to hunt until the end of the season when they go onto the Nat'l Elk Refuge because they are starving for food. Prior to that they rarely leave the safety of Grand Teton Nat'l Park. The area where they live is 99% public land but they know very well where the park boundary ends and the forest begins. The bulls will occasionally stray into the Nat'l Forest.

 

[mntnguide]

If you are hunting just to hunt and fill the freezer...You could also look into indian res type hunts and Large private ranch hunts that have buffalo..Because the draws are definitely no slam dunk to get a tag. Just a though. Ryan Hatfield wrote an artical on an indian res hunt a while back and said pretty good things about the whole experience. I think it was up in Montana, and i know there are other ranches out in the Dakotas etc...Just a thought

 

[6mm Remington]

Montana also has a few permits for north of Yellowstone on public land. Might be worth trying to get one of those tags. Tough draw odds though.

 

[HuskyMusky]

Utah has 2 bison hunts I believe currently. Antelope Island and the Henry Mtns.

I think the Henrys are a real hunt, meanwhile the antelope island is a shoot.

I'm sure you'd have fun hunting a cow bison just about anywhere though.