Utah Henry Mountains Bison - I'M GOING!!

[Whip]

I just opened a letter from Utah saying that I have a chance at a cow bison tag for the Henry Mountains unit.  Apparently there are some additional permits being issued and I have a chance to get one of them.  I need to respond no later than this Friday or they move on to the next name on the list.

I haven't prepared a thing in research, but have been applying for a tag in hopes of some day drawing.  Can anyone tell me anything about this tag?  It is expensive, and it is a once in a lifetime tag, so this would be my only chance to ever hunt free range bison.

Any help or guidance is appreciated!!

[PA stickbow boy]

I'd take a loan and do that hunt.  Incredible opportunity. Good Luck Joe!  

[Bjorn]

I would list my mother on ebat if she were still alive, to fund that hunt!  

[Panzer]

There was an article in Traditional Bowhunter magazine about a buffalo hunt in the Henrys. I believe it was in 2011 or 2010.

[wapiti792]

Whip don't go...mail it to me    I know it is short notice for a hunt of that caliber but you never know when this one will come around again. Free range bison in the lower 48!!! WOW! Good luck and keep us informed.

[huntingarcher]

Hunt first and worry about paying for it later,the American way.....
A Bison Hunt WOW, may have to buy another freezer.Hope it turns out for you.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Joe,

Congradulations on your draw.

good luck with whatever you decide.

If you hunt, make sure you share the story with us      

[Izzy]

Go for it! Congrats on a super tag if you are drawn.

[Michael Pfander]

Go for it.  I spent a week in the Henry's last spring looking at the herd.  It is a long way from anywhere.  You drive across desert for hours it seems like before you get there, then up they jump.
MAP

[bornagainbowhunter]

That is incredable.  I would love to be drawn for a hunt like that.  

If you decide not to go, your future self will beat you up everyday.  You can't remember what you have never done.

God Bless,
Nathan

[Shedrock]

Yup, go for it!

[ChuckC]

Joe. . . .  you ain't 25 any more.  If you can pull it off at all,  I suggest you go on this one.

I am betting there are some here that will assist as much as possible in the endeavor, such as information transfer, heck, maybe even some footwork in the area if they happen to be bored one weekend and just wanna help see the land.

Stuff like that can happen here.  If you let it.

And take plenty of pix for us.

ChuckC

[Tatonka17]

That can be a very physically and emotionally taxing hunt.  I'm from Utah and know quite a few people that have hunted that over the last decade.  Those Bison are VERY wild and not what you think of as a typical buffalo hunt.  Very skittish.  Don't let that discourage you from hunting them, I would absolutely go.  Just be prepared to hunt hard, put a lot of miles on the boots, and know that they aren't your "typical" buffalo.

[Guru]

Good luck buddy!!

[Whip]

I had a call from a friend that has done that hunt twice- once himself and once as helper.  Sounds like this late season deal might turn out to be something of a free for all, with many of the tag holders enlisting armies of spotters.  Of course they would be rifle hunting.

His thoughts are that if my name came up for this bonus hunt I may be getting close to drawing a regular tag, and said that if it were him, he would wait.  

The information that came with the letter said this is a low success hunt, with horses highly recommended, and that most bison on the late hunts are taken more than 5 miles from the nearest road.  It sounds like it might require a serious outfitted hunt to have much of a chance.

I am waiting on more info as to tag numbers for this hunt, etc.  But my goal would be a quality experience, ideally DIY, and this might not be it.  Lots of research to do in a very short amount of time.

[snakewood3]

Sounds like your friend had some very good insight. Best of luck on which ever path you take.

[Mike Bolin]

Whip, whatever you decide I think I would contact Larry Fischer. I am sure that he has as much or more experience with Henry Mt. Bison as anyone. At least two of the articles I've read on Bison hunting in the Henry's were written by Mr. Fischer. Good luck and be safe!
Mike

[Mike Bolin]

Oh......and when the time comes, be sure a "take" us here along for the ride!
Mike

[Steve O]

Joe,

Mike beat me to it, but I would be calling PBS brothers Larry and Blake Fischer.  It would be worth going to me just to see the Henry's mule deer.  Think hard about hiring somebody with horses.  I don't want to pack an elk on my back 5 miles...bison are SO much bigger.  No way.

[awbowman]

Congrats Joe, and good luck