Population management hunts

[DCMHunter]

I recieved a call from the game and fish yesturday and comfirmed my interest today for a population management hunt at House Rock for a cow or yearling Buffalo. Can anyone give me information on this hunt? The hunt is on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of this month, so I only have a short time to prepair. What can I expext to encounter on this hunt?

 

DCM

[Browning'sCustomMeat]

you can expect to encounter buffalo.... Good luck on your hunt! No help here, never been up that way.

 

-Jeremy-

[KCA205]

Take a lot of help with you. It is hot and hard work to process even a small buffalo. Lots of ice and coolers to pack the meat in also. An ez up canopy is helpfull. I would also take a battery operated saws-all with long blades to make quick work of cutting it up. Good luck and make sure you take lots of photos to post here after your hunt.

[wackycouesaddict]

hope they dont take you into the cocks combs they are killer. my grandpa had that same tag in 08 its lots of fun. and ill second lots of coolers ice and help. its hard work but very fun.

[DUG]

And if you shoot one and it runs into the Park you are probably out of luck. Good luck on your hunt! Hope you get one.

[CouesWhitetail]

Call Lance Crowther of Timberland Outfitters (one of our sponsors). he and his guides have been killing several buffalo up there this year and in previous years. I believe he is up there now or will be again next week. Give him a call and see what he can do for you.

 

http://www.tlohunting.com/

[Tines]

Call Lance Crowther of Timberland Outfitters (one of our sponsors). he and his guides have been killing several buffalo up there this year and in previous years. I believe he is up there now or will be again next week. Give him a call and see what he can do for you.

 

http://www.tlohunting.com/

 

+1

[DUG]

On these population management hunts, doesn't a G&F guy go with the hunter?

[azslim]

I know a guy that got this tag last year, at the last minute the G&F guy had him take a young bull. A sheet of plywood, couple of planks and a come-along work great for getting the carcass into the back of your truck after field dressing - I've done it with beef cattle quite a few times. Need a way to hook the come-along to the front of the bed, we used a short chunk of chain. There are 160 qt coolers at Costco, a 120 will fit a cow elk so a couple 160's will hold a lot of buffalo, think they run around $80. Freeze a couple cases of drinking water bottles for ice, will keep the meat from soaking in water.

[TLH]

I know a guy that got this tag last year, at the last minute the G&F guy had him take a young bull. A sheet of plywood, couple of planks and a come-along work great for getting the carcass into the back of your truck after field dressing - I've done it with beef cattle quite a few times. Need a way to hook the come-along to the front of the bed, we used a short chunk of chain. There are 160 qt coolers at Costco, a 120 will fit a cow elk so a couple 160's will hold a lot of buffalo, think they run around $80. Freeze a couple cases of drinking water bottles for ice, will keep the meat from soaking in water.

 

 

I know that guy too Slim i believe he borrowed a .375RUM from a guy to kill his Buff!! I bet he will be on here soon to talk about it too!!

[azslim]

Imagine that Terry.....small world isn't it.....

[bowhunter4life]

A friend of mine is currently on his draw hunt and waiting for them to leave the park, you will have some awesome steaks coming!

[Lance]

the G&F are getting a little ahead of their selves on this one in hopes that there will be buff down on the range by then. Right now there are no buffalo on the House Rock and if they dont show up they will cancel your hunt. so pray some buff show up by then. That should be your main concern.

 

Lance

[DCMHunter]

The Game and Fish called yesterday and said that the hunt is being postponed one week, Because the draw hunters had bushed all the buffalo off of house rock this last weekend. They have rescheduled for the 25th, 26th and 27th.

 

I am haveing a hard time shifting schedules again to have time for this hunt. And I will be leaving the 28th for Kerrville Tx so my 4H kids can shoot in the national invitational turnament.

 

The department is trying to work with me to get a tag and is still sending me a box of ammo.

 

It is a bummer to get the call, make all the neccessary change and then have them postpone the hunt. Although I would like some animals be able to hunt. Especially with such a short hunt.

 

DCM

[Mark-Devin]

I hunted the bison at House Rock a couple of years ago in June <hot>.

 

House Rock is not Raymond Ranch so be careful what people tell you about what they've heard.

 

At House Rock we didn't hunt with a Game and Fish employee...nobody tellin' you which animal to shoot (you and your tag tell you what you can shoot). Game and Fish will be there for you with as much information as you'll need. You said you have a cow or yearling tag...be sure you pay attention to the information that they'll give you about identifying a legal animal.

Listen to them and ask alot of questions.

 

Take friends with you. You'll need them. Buffalo is yummy...share the meat and you shouldn't have much trouble finding help.

If you have an OHV to help haul that's great but, if not you'll need strong backs and frame packs.

A cordless saw is nice but only if you don't have to haul it around. Keep the saw in the truck just in case. Sharp knives is what you'll need. A buffalo can be cut into bite size pieces.

 

You might be lucky and kill an animal close to a road where you can get close. DON'T COUNT ON IT. Come prepared or don't shoot.

It will be warm and you'll need coolers. We took 5 or 6 100 qt coolers and filled them with ice on the way out of Flagstaff. One of our other hunters killed a buffalo with a single shot right by a tank and within a few yards of a road. That hunter's name is "Lucky".

 

Two of us hunted Tank #1 and killed our buffalo on the 1st day. Game and Fish is likely observing their movement and will tell you where they're seeing them and possibly which tanks they're hittin'. Buffalo and water are a good mix. Will you be at the right water at the right time....hmmmm? Perhaps you should also be prepared to go out on the prowl. Be sure you know where the water is (game and fish will tell you). If G & F is sittin' up high glassing then they may be sharing information via radio. Be sure you have a radio. Tank #1 wasn't radio friendly (cut off from those watchin' from high up) and it was a mile and a half from where our trucks had to stop.

 

When our buffalo came in to the tank it was incredible. Fifteen or so animals sounding like 100 and they all wanted in that tank. The other hunter I was with shot shortly after they got to the tank...two shots from a .30 cal dropped it where it stood. The herd watched and moved about but, didn't bolt. I moved a bit for a shot and dropped a nice buffalo...right through the lungs. It got right up. I shot again and down it went...up again until a 3rd 180 gr bullet from my .300 Win Mag finished the job. All the shots were on their mark...buff's are tough...I wouldn't squeeze the trigger if you aren't sure that you'll be able to follow up.

 

It took me nearly an hour to bone that critter out and bag it up (there will be flys, take game bags)...my buddies have strong backs but their knife skills are still improving (invite a butcher and you'll be out in no time).

 

Keep in mind:

This is not Raymond Ranch

This is not a canned hunt

This could be a very challenging hunt (mine turned out easy...I had 2 friends and the other hunter brought 2 as well)

This is your hunt

Don't expect others to do your work (bring your help with you). Please note: all the other invited hunters were extremely friendly and all offered help.

Game and Fish will help you but they're not your guides/outfitters (don't count on more than information and advice...if you get more than that be thankful).

Things change...my hunt a couple years ago may be different than yours.

Keep asking questions but, ignore anyone that hasn't hunted House Rock buffalo .

Have a great hunt...this is a free ranging herd, wild and challenging and worth every bit of the effort