mntnguide
Very Active Member
Not sure on fines or punishments...doubtful they get to take the meat...it happens every year
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Wyoming Bison
- Thread starter wy-tex
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
Without looking at the bison hunting regs for Wyoming but don't the cow bison hunters have to take a orientation class to teach them how to tell the difference without lifting it's tail?
I know on Utah's cow bison hunt that you need to take one to validate your tag
I know on Utah's cow bison hunt that you need to take one to validate your tag
brdhuntr
Member
I had a cow tag in 2015, and actually hired tag n drag, and the owner even had a hard time determining a bull from a cow. We really had to be care full. There had been 7 illegal bull kills as of January 2nd. when i killed my cow, a 5 year old cow,and a 5 year old bull are are almost impossible to tell unless you get really close. I killed an 8 year old cow,and it was delicious. When i talked to the warden that did a tooth and hair sample on my buffalo, he said they didn't get to keep the meat,and the fine was $ 400.00.
JimP
Administrator
If anyone is really wondering how to tell the difference here is a link to a PDF file that the Utah DOW puts out for their cow bison hunts on the Henry Mountains.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/bison/bison_orientation.pdf
I think that the big problem is that people just get in too much of a hurry and want a animal on the ground.
I know that when I was in Africa where a lot of both sexes of the animals that are available to shoot have horns that you really have to know which one your PH is talking about before you pull the trigger.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/bison/bison_orientation.pdf
I think that the big problem is that people just get in too much of a hurry and want a animal on the ground.
I know that when I was in Africa where a lot of both sexes of the animals that are available to shoot have horns that you really have to know which one your PH is talking about before you pull the trigger.
I would do it every year if possible. The head shape and horns are the best way to tell the sex. We were able to get into the Grand Teton herd up close and look at them really carefully. The head shape, longer narrow face and horn shape, tighter curl, was key for us. The cows also have a different body type than the bulls. Go early before your hunt and look closely at some animals. Many mistakes are made when shooting at running and trotting animals. Then they tend to all look the same. Pick the right animal while they are resting and follow it carefully.
lostriverproductions
Active Member
Work2hunt
Veteran member
tim
Veteran member
Ralph at tag and drag sure is a good hunter. His videos of pulling the bison out on horseback are pretty cool. Dude has a stellar life that is for sure.
The bison hunt will probably close this coming Tuesday, lots of snow and elk feeding may start on the refuge. Get to Jackson this weekend if you have a tag!!!! Call the office today, 307-733-2321
Hilltop
Veteran member
Hilltop
Veteran member
JM77
Member
View attachment 18300View attachment 18301 Got it done 3 rd day of hard hunting on foot. Miles of hiking through deep snow looking for the small groups on the refuge. Finally the bigger herd moved onto the refuge. We hiked in 2 miles before light to get into position for a shot only to have another hunter spook the group, yes they will wind you if you approach from upwind. Hoofed it back down the hollow to catch up for a shot just as horseback, guided hunters moved in. They put down 2 then a guide loaded up a hunter from behind us and rode him up in front of us for a shot. He shot 4 times at distance of 40m yards and less and put down a cow and a young bull. My shot was 200 yds or less, perfect double lung, she went down less than 50 yds. The guide then proceeded to throw me under the bus, saying I shot the bull. The fed warden was called and the guide blatantly lied to him. My bullet was accounted for, 300 wsm 165 gr Swift A frame. The guides shooter I believe ricocheted his bullet into the bull, he had 2 shots ricochet. Small fragments were recovered for testing.
That guide learned a lesson that day, number one he picked the wrong person to falsely accuse, 2 he should never had moved that hunter up in front of me. The outfit he works for is top notch so I will not mention them, he is the butthead in that outfit. Tag and Drag did the retrieval and Camille gutted her for us, great gal!! Took us about 2 hrs for skinning and quartering in the field. We will hang it and process ourselves. Matt's Meats was in the field to pick up animals for processing, I would highly recommend him after taking at length in the field, he will age and cut for 94 cents/ lb.
Yes you can tell the difference between cows and bulls. Do your homework and look at some bison. It is not that hard to tell the difference. Horn shape is key but also the general shape of the head, cows have a longer narrow head, they also have a discernible neck, bulls look like their head is stuck right on the chest. The horns curl on cows and are more squared off shape to bulls.We looked at many bulls and cows, take your time and make sure of the sex of the animal. Quality glass is the key. Do not shoot into the herd, pick an outlying animal. That guy with the open sight springfield rifle was in over his head. He did not have quality bullets in his gun and could not hit the broad side of a barn at 40 yards. It was his 3rd bison tag and first harvest which he probably would not have gotten without the help of the guide. We watched 3 hunters take cow from the same group and for some reason they shot each one multiple times. Every bison went down relatively fast but they chose to keep putting bullets into them after every twitch their body made, not necessary. My bullet went through the shoulder blade, both sides of the ribcage and was found perfectly mushroomed just under the opposite side hide. Double lung shot she died quick. She travelled only 50 yards or less after the shot, bleeding profusely from the mouth. I knew the shot was true and did not need follow ups, the other hunters were the same but I guess the guides were telling them to keep shooting.
Very rewarding and hard hunt. After the first day of 5 miles through some post holeing snow I did not think I would make it, but put my mind to it and got through it. Couldn't have done it without my spouse by my side the whole way encouraging me and calling my shot.
That guide learned a lesson that day, number one he picked the wrong person to falsely accuse, 2 he should never had moved that hunter up in front of me. The outfit he works for is top notch so I will not mention them, he is the butthead in that outfit. Tag and Drag did the retrieval and Camille gutted her for us, great gal!! Took us about 2 hrs for skinning and quartering in the field. We will hang it and process ourselves. Matt's Meats was in the field to pick up animals for processing, I would highly recommend him after taking at length in the field, he will age and cut for 94 cents/ lb.
Yes you can tell the difference between cows and bulls. Do your homework and look at some bison. It is not that hard to tell the difference. Horn shape is key but also the general shape of the head, cows have a longer narrow head, they also have a discernible neck, bulls look like their head is stuck right on the chest. The horns curl on cows and are more squared off shape to bulls.We looked at many bulls and cows, take your time and make sure of the sex of the animal. Quality glass is the key. Do not shoot into the herd, pick an outlying animal. That guy with the open sight springfield rifle was in over his head. He did not have quality bullets in his gun and could not hit the broad side of a barn at 40 yards. It was his 3rd bison tag and first harvest which he probably would not have gotten without the help of the guide. We watched 3 hunters take cow from the same group and for some reason they shot each one multiple times. Every bison went down relatively fast but they chose to keep putting bullets into them after every twitch their body made, not necessary. My bullet went through the shoulder blade, both sides of the ribcage and was found perfectly mushroomed just under the opposite side hide. Double lung shot she died quick. She travelled only 50 yards or less after the shot, bleeding profusely from the mouth. I knew the shot was true and did not need follow ups, the other hunters were the same but I guess the guides were telling them to keep shooting.
Very rewarding and hard hunt. After the first day of 5 miles through some post holeing snow I did not think I would make it, but put my mind to it and got through it. Couldn't have done it without my spouse by my side the whole way encouraging me and calling my shot.
Last edited:
Hilltop
Veteran member
Swedishhunter
Member
- Jun 24, 2016
- 97
- 6
I am considering applying for bison tag this year. Is this a migratory hunt to the extent you have to be ready to get there whenever the bison are in the right place? Or can you plan a trip ahead of time and still have a decent chance of harvesting one? Being on the east coast my challenge is I need some planning to make this happen. I would use an outfitter with local knowledge, does that change the equation?
Thanks
Thanks