North American Bison

[Sidewinder]

What is the minimum weight bow you buffalo hunters think could be used to harvet a 1000lb North American Bison cow. I know one should'nt start with whats the minimum however I shoot a self made hickory self bow thats 55# @ 26" and don't have access to another bow. I have had it chronoed at 158fps with 550grain arrows. With heavy enough arrows ( how much?) and a well placed shot is that enough bow?  Feed back is appreciated.   Danny

[Joseph]

Your bow/arrow combo will be quite sufficient based on my own experience with them and from what I have seen of others.  Joseph

[sparrow]

Just a thought. I agree with Joseph you'll do fine but to say you don't have access to another bow is not true. You'd be more than welcome to any bow I own and I'll bet you would find many others here that would make the same offer if you asked or maybe even if you didn't.

[Hoytman]

Originally posted by sparrow:
Just a thought. I agree with Joseph you'll do fine but to say you don't have access to another bow is not true. You'd be more than welcome to any bow I own and I'll bet you would find many others here that would make the same offer if you asked or maybe even if you didn't.

People here are amazing.
With people like you, I can't understand why everyone doesn't shoot a bow.
Thankyou to you and everyone like you.

[Nakohe]

Your bow will do just fine. Be sure your heads are sharp.

[shootssmallbulls]

Sounds like a good setup +SHARP BROADHEAD + Good shot placement = clean kill

[Bert Frelink]

Danny,
I killed two with just about the same set up you are talking about, a 64# @ 28"  Hickory selfbow, my arrows were a bit heavier than yours about 680 grains total, pass thru on both and neither of them went more than 80 yds.
Good luck, your set up will work just fine.
Regards, Bert

[Sidewinder]

Thanks Bert, I will have to wait until next year to try my setup. I had a limited time to make the decision how I was gonna kill the animal for harvest and at the time did not have the confidence with my gear so I shot it with my 30/30. I am making plans for next year though that will hopefully see me with a selfbow kill. I will say this  "that bufler meat is gooood eatins".    Danny

[pronghorn23]

Dan,
Where'd you go? How was it and any pics?

[Sidewinder]

It was the Zbar ranch in south central kansas. They were doing a herd cull and I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to purchase one of the animals to be culled. In this case it was about a 3-4yr olds cow. I had a choice of a large bull or a cow. Since I was primarily doing it for the meat I went for the cow. I could not really classify this as a hunt per se in that it was a very large corral and it was a matter of just getting the animal killed and field dressed and then packed in ice and loaded into the truck to take to processing. Overall the experience and opportunity was very enriching and the meat has been by far the best we've ever eaten. I plan on doing an ambush in the 2 1/2 mile "hunting pen" next year. God willin of course. I took a few pics of the animals and my goofy non picture taking cousin took some great pictures of the back of my shoulder...lol I don't think it really qualified as a hunt and considereing that I took it with my dads 30-30 I was afraid people would gripe about it not being a gun forum and I would have to wade through the critizism of how it does'nt give the animal a fair chance and all. So I have just kept the few pics that are good photos to myself. If you guys think the pics of the animals and the results of my first field dressing of anything ever are worthy to post here I will, but I would like some feed back first so that I don't hurt anyones feelings.

[pronghorn23]

Cool..I just just love bison and seeing pictures of them. That's on my list of dream hunts. And the meat is the best ever. I can't imagine how much meat you got.

Most of the ranches/places I hear about don't seem to be too much of a hunt per se but what can you do...still a good time. Free ranging is way too expensive for most of us, plus in my book those hunts are all about the meat. They need them culled, we want the meat so it's win/win I think.

And wow for a first field dressing that must've been fun too.

[Sidewinder]

Yeah on the filed dressing the largest thing I had gutted prior to that was a fish...lol but then again when yo have the right tools for the job it sure makes things go smooth. The Kershaw gut hook attatchemnt I have worked like a dream and the flesh parted like butter. Kinda surprised the fella that was overseeing the harvest. When I ask him how long it would take he said figure on an hour- hour and a half. I had it done in 10 minutes. It was amazing.  Danny

[eaglefeather]

you might try lee hawes outfitters just outside of dodge city.He"s got dugouts and t.p."s to stay in, pretty rustic,he mentioned a bowhunter or two while we were there on a blackpowder hunt 2004.Good healthy herd,1000 acres.

[Smallwood]

the bison in the pic to the left was a 1000#cow
complete pass thru with a 55#@26" longbow
480 grn carbon arrow with a 2-blade magnus broadhead. You'll be fine, just remember to keep the arrow in the lower third of the chest.

[Sidewinder]

Thanks smallwood, that encouraging. Nice buff. The meat is incredible is'nt it?  Danny

[Smallwood]

[Sidewinder]

Thank you that sure looks helpful.  Danny