Buff Down

Sigma408 · #1 06-11-2015, 11:29 AM

I have been hunting Buffalo is this area for a few years with not much luck. However unprepared I was at this moment things happened quick. As I rounded a corner on an old gravel road still in my street clothes I noticed relatively fresh buff Poo on the side of ditch. I inspected further and noticed the buff were in this area this morning. As I turned to head back to my pickup I just happened to glance over and down a partially over grown cut line and seen large brown hide. It was on down the line I went. Upon my arrival to the best spot to glass I spooked 3 cows with calves. Luckily they headed the opposite direction and did not bother the rest of the heard. After looking over the heard I found the One i wanted he was bedded down swating flies with his tail. I waited until he stood and I air mailed 1 169gr SST. Wwwommmp. He rocked back a bit. Wwwommmp the energy of the bullet knocked a cloud of dust from his back in the air. He didn't even flinch. Wwwommmp the 3rd round hit and he headed for the trees. After locating a heavy blood trail I followed him into the timber. 300 yards in I saw him bedded down. One snap of branch and he stood up and 1 final round did him in. A dream finally realized.

Drewski Canuck · #2 06-11-2015, 11:37 AM

In this heat, I would say more like a nightmare, as you have a heavy bull down in an area that you apparently cannot get a picker truck into.

All the same, congrats on a nice Bull!!!

It is like getting hit by lightning to get a draw at Zama, but that is what happened to my baby brother last year. I can say that working in the cold would be a lot better than working in the heat with flies everywhere. Its just very hard to get the chance no matter how you slice it.

We had the luck to get help from a picker truck and I am forever grateful. Ours was about 7 years old as well, in his prime, and very very heavy.

Drewski

slopeshunter · #3 06-11-2015, 11:48 AM

Great bull, congrats! How did you do with getting him out of there? As mentioned the heat would be a concern.

Roughneck Country · #4 06-11-2015, 11:48 AM

Beauty bull! Congrats!

double gun · #5 06-11-2015, 11:52 AM

Awesome!

58thecat · #6 06-11-2015, 12:54 PM

simply huge is a understatement. We got two up a Zama and 8 hrs later...

congrats on the Bison.

buckbrushoutdoors · #7 06-11-2015, 01:13 PM

congrats!! one of these years I will make the trek up there and give it a honest go! beauty bull!

Who Da Fisherman · #8 06-11-2015, 01:19 PM

Very nice.
He said in the story that he shot it in the bush but the pic he is in the field, so he must have something to drag it out. I would presume he could load it too then..
WDF

bosshog · #9 06-11-2015, 01:44 PM

Very cool. Congrats.

ffw12 · #10 06-11-2015, 04:11 PM

Fort Mac Area? North of High Level?

J.B. · #11 06-11-2015, 08:08 PM

Congrats!
But i gotta ask, how did the sst perform on a buff? What caliber/cartridge?

3blade · #12 06-11-2015, 08:42 PM

Congrats, that is awesome!

How many lbs of meat? Plans for the hide/skull?

ForwardBias · #13 06-11-2015, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.B.

Congrats!
But i gotta ask, how did the sst perform on a buff? What caliber/cartridge?

I am also interested in this. Congrats on a successful hunt.

xxclaro · #14 06-11-2015, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForwardBias

I am also interested in this. Congrats on a successful hunt.

Exactly man, details details! I've heard lots about the SST being pretty soft but sounds like it worked pretty good for you. Congrats!

300magman · #15 06-12-2015, 12:42 AM

Thats awesome! Congrats on checking one off the bucket list!

waterninja · #16 06-12-2015, 07:15 AM

Congrats on that awesome bull. I wouldn't mind hearing a few more details also, like how the heck you got him out, amount of meat you got, and plans for hide/head.
I'm assuming you were in wmu 534 or 535. Do you have to have meat or head tested by esrd?
Once again congrats. Must have been pretty exciteing.

Sigma408 · #17 06-12-2015, 08:28 AM

Thanks for comments,

I will say it was a monumental chore to get him out of the bush and back into the that grassy field, However unprepared I was in the moment I was prepared for the hunt. While my buddy and I field dressed the Buff another one of my partners headed back to camp for the quads and chainsaw. I was fortunate to have the Buff go down in timber that was heavily trampled which allowed for some relative easy access. After some hacking and slashing with chainsaw we were able to hook on with the quads and drag him out this did require some interesting planning and few laughs. It was very hot out so we were trying to expedite this process as quickly as possible, we did manage to get him out but it wasn't before we took our fair share of bumps and bruises. Once we got him to where we could take a few pics we then wrestled with him on ground to debone. This by far was the most grueling part. once we had the meat in meat bags I took meat into town. A good friend of mine manages the local IGA where allowed me to store the meat in the cooler which I thank him for as this helped out a lot.

As far as the SST bullets go. I was shooting my 7MM mag with 169SST at the time. I say this because I usually shoot interbonds. But like I mentioned earlier I was unprepared in the moment as the SST bullets were in my clip at the time. I did argue it I just grabbed my smoke pole and clip and headed for the Buff. I didn't spend much time investigating the damage our looking for bullets as I wanted to get the meat to town quickly. But the bullets did seem to preform well. I did have a good rest when I shot so putting that bullet in that buff where it mattered did add some comfort. I did not see any evidence of exceptional penetration from the SST, however anyone of my first two shots were kill shots. I will say this that given this scenario again I would opt for the interbonds for sure, but I was comfortable with my shot at the time and I made it count. As far as Taxidermy goes I will do a European mount with this guy.

BRU375 · #18 06-12-2015, 11:19 AM

Way to go! and thanks for sharing

reddeerhunter · #19 06-12-2015, 12:27 PM

Beauty bud. Huge head. Grats on saving the meat. I didn't know there was spring season or whats the scoop on harvesting here? Sorry if its a stupid question.
Beautiful animal.

roper1 · #20 06-13-2015, 09:59 PM

Beautiful bull. Thanks for sharing.

1Heavyhitr · #21 06-14-2015, 12:58 AM

Sweeeeeeeet!

SD1797 · #22 06-14-2015, 09:00 AM

Congrats on the buff!

Bearbreath · #23 06-14-2015, 09:26 AM

Congrats on a fine buffalo!!! I hope to get my hands on one someday!

Ikilledbambisdad · #24 06-14-2015, 09:47 AM

Congrats! Very cool!

AB RANGER 007 · #25 06-14-2015, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddeerhunter

Beauty bud. Huge head. Grats on saving the meat. I didn't know there was spring season or whats the scoop on harvesting here? Sorry if its a stupid question.
Beautiful animal.

Check out my post #20 in Buffalo Hunting 06/13/2015. this area is open all year round and permits are not required. Watch out for the IR.locals they seem to think all the Buffs that leave the W B N Park are theirs. (????).

Bruce.