BML Report post Posted July 26, 2009 Not quite as awesome of a story as Lance's recent hunts, but still an unbelievable experience. I still can't believe it, but I have successfully harvested a buffalo here in our great state. It's still hard to believe that only 5 days ago I woke up like it was any other day and by the end of that day, I was planning a buffalo hunt. Only 4 short days later, I am in the field chasing the infamous Tatonka!!! I have to admit that I really though this hunt was going to be simple. I figured a herd of buffalo can't be that hard to find out in the middle of the sage prairie and once I find them, they can't be that elusive. Should be a piece of cake right?? Well, here I am only one day removed from my hunt with massive blisters on my feet and sore muscles that I didn't even know I had! I consider myself to be in relatively good shape and these buffalo kicked my arse!! I did everything I could to try to arrow one of these massive beasts, but it only took about half a day and roughly 6 round trip miles of tracking into the Cocks Combs to realize that these animals have been pressured way too much to be able to get within effective bow range. No buffalo for me on that trip, but one hunter did harvest a nice cow right at the base of the Cocks Combs. At that same time, another hunter was able to kill a cow on a different part of the ranch, so within an hour or so of hunting, 2 of the 4 hunters were done. A few hours later, some animals were located, but the other hunter and I were in completely different locations and neither of us were near those buffalo. Good thing was that they were spotted out in the sage, not far from the Junipers. We were rounded up and taken into the area to try to relocate them. Yet another 3 or 4 round trip mile trek and those buffalo were not to be found. It only 30 minutes, 20 buffalo vanished in 2 foot tall sage brush. At that time we all drove back to the ranch house to take a little breather and stock up with more food and water. Keep in mind that the temps were in the 90's by 9:00 AM and nearly 100 by early afternoon. It was brutal! So about 2 hours later, we were back trying to find that herd of 20. We knew they were in there somewhere. The herd was located only 100 yards away from the two track road that we had just walked down earlier! They buffalo all bedded up and we were off! The wind was blowing right at them so we had to make a huge loop to come in from behind them. About a mile and a half or so later, we were 140 yards away. The sage was so tall that even with a 36" tall bipod I could not see the buffalo. I had to get another 10 yards at least to be able to see over a small little hump in the landscape. The game specialist, Tom, and I were finally in a good shooting position and a young bull stood up. My tag was for cow or any sex yearling only and this bull was in the 2-3 year old range so I could not shoot. Tom kept telling me to wait for the other buffalo to stand up and we could take one of the yearlings, since the only cow in this whole herd had a very small calf with her. We waited for a few minutes, along with the other hunter who was about 15 yards behind me off my right shoulder. He was to try to take his buffalo right after I shot mine. Anyway, that bull started to act real nervous and Tom knew he was getting ready to split and take that whole herd with him. I was pretty shocked when I herd him tell me to go ahead and shoot that bull! He didn't have to tell me twice and seconds later I shot. My bull immediately hit the deck and all the other buffalo stood up. The other hunter shot a yearling and just like that, we had two buffalo down within 20 yards of each other!! The celebrations began and the "troops" were radioed in from where they were staging and watching. A short time later we had 5 people working on each buffalo and boy was it work!! You can try to prepare yourself ahead of time, but if you have never actually had to field dress a buffalo, you will never really be prepared when that time actually comes! This was one of the hardest, most challenging hunts I have ever been on. The hikes were long, sun was hot and the buffalo were very elusive. They were incredibly aware of everything occurring out in the field as far as the hunters and vehicle traffic were concerned. We actually had some herds spook and take off running for the hills after spotting the trucks over a mile away. They say buffalo have poor eyesight, but after this hunt, I don't believe it. Here are a couple pics for now. I need to go through them all and the pics from the other cameras we had in camp. I will post more later . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted July 26, 2009 Congratulations Blake... That is an awesome story and an experience I'm sure you'll remember the rest of yor life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rio Report post Posted July 26, 2009 Congratulations, way to go! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted July 26, 2009 I did everything I could to try to arrow one of these massive beasts, but it only took about half a day and roughly 6 round trip miles of tracking into the Cock Combs to realize that these animals have been pressured way too much to be able to get within effective bow range Real nice Az buffalo- I like the comments about them being pressured...you would think they wouldn't be with all that range, but I've heard they are a real challenge with the bow.. Nice pics as well - Memories of a lifetime! AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted July 26, 2009 How many days did Chuck Adams hunt before he arrowed his buffalo? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
standman Report post Posted July 26, 2009 That is so cool!!!! Congrats!!! Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBArcher Report post Posted July 26, 2009 Congrats man, I dont think I will ever be that lucky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted July 27, 2009 Congrats Blake!!! How awesome is that!! Glad you had success!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BML Report post Posted July 27, 2009 Thanks for all the comments! I appreciate it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lance Report post Posted July 27, 2009 Hey thats awesome! Pretty cool that he let you shoot that bull! This time of year is great for those Population Management hunts! Count your blessings to be able to take one down in the sage! Congrats! Lance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ehunt Report post Posted July 27, 2009 congrats great looking bull! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZWildcat Report post Posted July 27, 2009 great story and better bull!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted July 27, 2009 hello - nice young bull- good eatin - from your story - even buffalo can wise up- 15 yrs ago my freinds hunt was - spot the herd -drive -up- game warden says shoot that one - hunt over - Gary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted July 28, 2009 nice buffalo hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BML Report post Posted July 30, 2009 Thanks again everyone! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
