Wild Buf

[OriginalOscar]

In 95 the hunting gods smiled and I had a buf tag for Utah in the Henry Mountains. Amazing country covering 30 x 50 miles and 3000 to 11500 in elevation. Fourth season that year and after 10 days hunting hard we came home empty handed.

Since wild Buf are once in a lifetime that's it for Utah. Time to try again.

I'm aware of MT, WY, AZ and the Ute Tribe in eastern Utah has a wild herd in the Book Cliffs. Any other suggestions for wild buf in the lower 48?

p.s If anyone is successful in drawing for Utah shoot me a message. I'm all in to help. It's one of the most amazing wild places I've visited and the buf hunt is loads of fun.

 

[T Bone]

Custer State Park in South Dakota has controlled hunts every year.

http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/hunting/default.aspx

I don't know the draw odds, but it wouldn't be difficult to kill one there.

 

[MNHunter]

The Custer hunts are guaranteed hunts because you hunt with a park employee. The trophy tag fee is too rich for my blood at $5000. I have some stats on drawing odds if you are interested.

 

[chasendeer]

I would love to see those odds.
Jay

 

[MNHunter]

In 2010 they had 90 applicants but 63 of those selected Preference Point only thus leaving 27 eligible to draw. Only 16 of those had a Preference Point so they alone competed for the 10 permits.

In 2011 it was a similar story; 112 applicants with 84 selecting Preference Point only. Of the 28 left only 17 had a Preference Point so they competed for the 10 permits.

I don’t know off hand if you must remit the $5000 when applying for Preference but my guess is that you don’t based on the # of people going for Pref only. If you are serious about getting a trophy Bison in Custer and you have the cash, you should draw in 2 years.

 

[T Bone]

Wow, I had no idea the odds were that good.

IMO, it wouldn't be much of a hunt, just find the animal you want and plug it. Wonder if they allow loin cloths and stick bows to spice it up a bit?

 

[warmer]

And I sure hope they were all non-resident! Someone has to keep our state park system operating!