This buffalo was a free ranging buffalo
obtained thru a draw (and I must say I was lucky to get it) thru the
Colorado Dept of Natural Resources. The dept only issues a nominal amount
each year. It cost me $150.00 to apply,. and (if you're name is drawn) it
will cost you a whole lot more. In the event that you're name is not drawn,.
you earn preference points towards the next years hunt.-and the next-and
next etc. till you EARN enough to be awarded a license. Don't give up and
keep applying each and EVERY year because you will get a permit EVENTUALLY.
I arrow'd this bull. Yep,.. thats what I said!. Bow and arrow
folks. I shoot an old Fred Bear Monster Bucks 2 set at #65 lbs. After a long
stalk thru the sage brush in the Arapaho basin I finally decided to "take my
shot" @ 39 yards. I used a Bushnell 800 laser range finder to calculate the
distance to the broadside bull from behind my tiny sagebrush bush I was
trying to keep my 6'3" #220 lb body behind. My Easton Gamegetter aluminum
2216 left the bow and hit home "just a scosh a bit" behind his right
shoulder.
Although the animals have very poor eyesight, the do have
EXCELLENT sense of smell and hearing. You need to keep you're stalk going
from the down wind side of them as you would another game animal. An adult
buffalo is a big animal to say the least. All you folks who are going to or
are planning to hunt one need to keep two things in mind. #1,..They are
dangerous. If you put a bad hit on one and he knows where you are there is a
good chance he'll try and take you out!. #2...Forget the hyper fast bows
fells. You need to sacrifice arrow speed for arrow weight. You need complete
penetration on these tough critters.
As a Professional Guide for the past 20 years I can tell you
that a bow at least #65 lbs and a good solid broad head with only the best
shot placement is acceptable for these animals. When My arrow struck home on
this giant,..(and I mean he was a giant), I knew it was a good hit for 2
reasons. Visually I saw my bright yellow fletching disappear behind that
behemoth of a shoulder. And second was that distinct sound of a cross
between a smack and a thud. Kind of like an arrow smacking a wet paste board
box.
With complete pass through I knew he was mine. This buffalo
knew where I was. He knew I've done something to him and he didn't like it.
(I shot him while he was staring directly at me). If you think an animal of
this size cant run fast folks you're mistaken. The bull swerved right and
directly for my little sage brush hideout!...at a full run. At his turn I
did see my arrow hanging out his left side by only the fletching...and when
he started his run it fell out.
Thats all I remember seeing before he over ran the bush
hooking it with his horns as I dove out of it and out of his way. He only
went another 11 yards before piling up. The Broad head I used and still use
is a "Revolution" by Barrie Rocky Mtn. No need to retune from your field
points. It did it's job well and bleed this beast quickly. If you Plan to
make a buffalo hunt any time soon and don't want to wait to pull a tag you
can Visit one of the high fence operations out there.
I can suggest only one though because of the massive amount
of acres they have and it's more like a fair chase operation. Look up Lester
Bramlett in Crawford Colorado and he's listed in the book. His ranch is
"Bramletts Black Canyon Bulls". I've done work for him and he has the
equipment to handle these big animals to get em out and processed fast.
Believe me,. You're going to pay for this hunt. But how bad do you want to
hunt one?.
My bull weighed a whopping #2,800 lbs and scored high in the
Safari Club Intl's book for a buffalo taken with a bow. One thing to
remember before heading out to the field with you're bow,...Both Pope and
Young and Safari Club will not recognize any "Trophy" animal taken with ANY
kind of electronic type of sights and more than 60% let off. Forget it 80%
let off users. Take another set up with you and I suggest a fiber optic
sight such as the "TRU-GLO" I use.
I hope you enjoyed the story and the useful tips and hints it
contains. Keep in tune and shoot straight
Sincerely; Bryan B Greyhawk
Professional Hunting Guide and cowboy.
To arrange a guided hunt with hawk, email HTH direct for contact
information
