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I don't post stories/pics much. (In fact, I don't think I have ever posted anything hunting trip related, other than adventures with my kids.) Anyway, since not many folks get to hunt bison, I thought I would share. I put in on a whim when applying for deer 4 months ago. Just an afterthought, assuming that I would not get drawn, but I lucked-out and got one of 10 tags for the 9/25-10/7 12A cow hunt. Once I was drawn, I decided I would do everything I could to try to give myself the best chance at killing one. I reached-out to, and spent time on the phone with quite a few people who had previously had the permit, including Heat and Catfishkev. I also spoke with Flatlander a couple of times, since he and his son did the hunt in July. In addition, I exchanged messages with several others (couesdeerhntr, and others who are not on cw.com....). I also exchanged info with Jim Mullins, who was very generous with his information/assessment of the hunt. I owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to ALL who spent the time to give me information and perspective! In particular, Kevin spent lots of time with me on the phone/text/e-mail, and in fact sent me the key to a couple of his cameras and gave me the full go-ahead to utilize them for my hunt prep! Super, super generous!!!! Unfortunately, due to personal family commitments over the summer combined with the fact that I started a new job in mid-July, my time was very limited, and I could not spend the necessary 'boots on the ground' time I would have hoped. Finally, I also reached out to Russ Jacoby. Stating the obvious, there are many opinions of Russ and his crew (Just like there are many differing opinions of all of us! ). That being said, I found him to be helpful, professional, sincere, and SUPER passionate about the bison on the Kiabab! When I said I was going on a scouting trip in early July, he invited me to join his crew for a "ride-along" day or two to get to know the vibe and how they operate. That was very valuable time. I ultimately ended-up connecting with him for the hunt. So from here, I'll try make this quick! One of my best friends & hunting/fishing/camping partners drove down from Salt Lake to help me on the hunt. We met-up on Thursday evening and set-up camp. I connected with Russ, and made a plan to meet him early on Friday morning. My buddy decided to pass on the first day in the blind, giving me an opportunity to get the feel of the thing, and he would then join me in latter days. I met-up with Russ in the morning, and he made a suggestion regarding a tank I should sit. Well, 2 1/2 hours into opening day, after seeing several deer and lots of birds, I heard a noise and immediately saw black bodies moving through the trees making their way down the trail to the tank I was on. Within 10 seconds of initially seeing them, there were 12-14 bison of all shapes, sizes, and genders lined-up about 40 yards directly across the tank from me drinking away. I quickly focused-in on one of the cows, and as soon as she turned broad-side, I blasted her right in the boiler-room. As the other's scattered, she took a huge lunge into the tank, then took approximately 3-4 big jumps while turning to get out of the tank. I could see blood on her side as she got to dry ground and started to run/limp up the bank. I shot her again as she was running, and she fell. She started to get-up, so I shot her one last time and she slumped-down for good. From the time I saw them coming through the trees, to the time she was dead was likely no more than 30-40 seconds. DONE!! I walked around sort of dumbfounded and in disbelief for several days regarding the entire thing, specifically how quickly it happened! I went from not even really ever thinking about or considering putting-in for buffalo, to killing a 'once in a lifetime' animal just four months later. Unbelievable! Anyway, thanks again to everyone who spent time with me on text/email/phone to help with information. I'm full of gratitude!!!! S. She was big and old!! (Russ aged her at 10-12 years old.....)

It was a slow day for my wife and I. We saw 4 and killed 3. Really only hunted for about 4 hours, but DEFINITELY slower than last year! I season them with regular hamburger seasoning and grill them up. Always delicious!!! We did see a stud Muley Buck in full velvet!

Southern Xpress. Actually did it while my dad waited there. We shot it last weekend, turned out great.

Anything that has 4 wheels and can be tied to outdoor recreation is $$$ right now. Trucks, trailers, toy haulers SxS, etc. I honestly thought when covid started it would be the opposite because people wouldn't be able to afford there toys and have to sell them. I was wrong. We must have had a state full of "essential" employees because things just went crazy.

My Archery bull .Unit 18A,public land. So I hired James Fleming to do this hunt with. I have been talking to him since before the draw.A few thought I was crazy burning 9pts on a marginal limited opportunity area. I went with a gut feeling and it paid off.James knows the area like no one else.Day 1 was slow with only a few elk spotted and no shooters. sat water for 8 hours in middle of day till evening with only javelinas coming in. Day 2 up at 4 and into another blind for barely an hour when I received text bull spotted. James picked him up at 4 miles away and it appeared he wasn't moving to another zip code. He then disappeared into a sea of junies . we estimated where he might be and made the trek. About noon we lucked out and he bugled. We had to assume it was him as they weren't active calling at all. we estimated him to be around 500 yards away so we moved in a couple of hundred yards where we would remain on the ground for 4 plus hours. Around 5 he bugled once and on went the sneekee feet and we closed to about a hundred yards. we hung the cow decoy in a cliff rose, I set up and James got behind me about 20 yards. 2 cow calls set him off tearing up a tree(sounded like a train breaking limbs).he did this for 15 minutes without bugling and stopped. I was shaking like a leaf. More mews and I could hear him coming in on a rope. Still having not seen him his swords appeared( knew it was him at that second )above a juniper in front of me. he turned to get around the juniper and downwind and as he was walking in to a 3 foot shooting lane I was drawn and calm. I was preparing to shoot him walking but he froze with vitals exposed to look at the decoy . I released arrow and center punched him at 30 yards. At this point I practically collapsed.It was very warm and I guess years of frustration and missed opportunity were coming into into my thoughts.The arrow was complete pass through 4 blade wacem. we waited about 20 minutes to start the recovery. quite a bit of blood at first...but it tapered off.Fortunately his tracks were easy to follow in the dirt. This beast made it 500 yards and expired. James was as excited as I was. after lots of hugs and high fives we set about the work. we carried what we could.hung the rest and got back to camp at 430 Am. we slept for a couple of hours then made the 3 mile trek to pack out the rest.

I personally don't wear a mask and know very few others in my profession that do.... but if it will make you happy, on Halloween I will wear a mask when I go trick or treating

That’s amazing that you guys know a dozen people that got it. I’ve only known 2 people this entire time that have been diagnosed with it. I must have contracted it by now. But I haven’t been sick. I don’t think many people think the illness is a hoax, the hype around it is the hoax

4 for 4. BIL got some sweet redemption after 2 hard years of bad luck and bad mistakes. lost an average bull earlier in the day and was bummed. went out for the evening hunt and absolutely laced the biggest elk to come out of here in many years. not great genetics in here but lots of elk. makes for a fun hunt. now we need to teach him to get down low and long arm so his elk looks bigger......lol dude is 6'5" so everything looks small and they finally fed us a decnt meal. off to coyote hunt in the morning and wrap this trip up

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People don’t understand how much of a difference it makes

Went four for five shots today. Short day. Guess who missed? Me. Not Taylor. Saw a really good 5x7 bull. Bunch of mule deer, and it is extremely dry. Only found 3 sources of water. One dirt tank, and two stock tanks that get water trucked in.

Awesome...congrats!

I'll stop by this afternoon and check. I can't find a website for them but I drive by it all the time.

Congratulations again Stan!! Loved the write up and now you have me thinking about putting my BPs to good use someday. I got a kick out of how you felt dumbfounded after it got western on ya. I know that feeling! Lol Great trophy pic and nice sweatshirt!

The best way I’ve found for making them tender is to skin and cool them quickly and put them in a brine for a day. My first was cooked over fire and not brined and it was like leather. I learned to skin and cool them quickly then let them soak in salt water. Totally different and they taste great

We will be there...

We are still pushing on. Gotta make it happen

my turn. 485 yds across same canyon as last night. almost a boring hunt. saw this guy at last light out in the valle and decided to check on him in the morning. walked to the edge of the trees and he was pushing his cows up to the other side to bed. be didnt make it. the little 3x trailer was ecstatic as he just got uograded. lol one of the prettiest places i have seen and i shoot this guy in the ugliest spot in the whole ranch. still tastes good though 3 down 1 to go

2 down 2 to go. not a bad opening day. 475 yds across a nasty canyon at last light. didnt get packed out until 1030. the vacation brochure didnt mention that part.

Think I will give it a shot and find out

Good start and a beautiful morning. FIL got it done. 1 down 3 to go.

"Tacticool" poses for your enjoyment... They mitigate mirage, make handling one after 3-4 shots possible, they protect the suppressor. I was shooting a suppressed .300WM without a cover today. After 2 shots, mirage was noticeable, after the third, mirage was definitely causing the target image to waver a lot. I have shot other times, 5-6 shots with a cover before mirage started to effect sight picture.

Played this game last year. I found the key at least for me was to keep everything fun, from shooting to glassing. As far as shooting goes, I had issues trying to get my son to use a tripod for a rest. I found prone was the only way he was going to make an accurate shot. Kids love reactive targets from steel to balloons. I also brought ear protection on the hunt as he had serious flitch from sound, and it made him more comfortable. I keep his pack light and loaded down with plenty of snacks as kids burn thru them. I did let him bring a cell phone so he could play games while I glassed, ended up keeping him quiet and still for hours. Remember the hunt is for your kid and not you, I found myself pushing my son beyond his limits and making it uncomfortable for him. Most important thing is take your time and have fun in the outdoors with your kid. Oh yea be patient!

Been there Done That, X2. Be patient, try to not put too much emphasis on the hunt. Get him as much trigger time as you can get. Have him practice shooting standing too, go hunt some rabbits. I have seen kids shoot from triclawps and they can do well, but I also watched a kid take half a dozen shots at an Elk too.

I switched to a red dot two or three years ago. Haven't missed a turkey since I switched. I use the vortex venom.