Bison age classes

27 January 2015, 23:20

Dan Miller

Bison age classes

I'm planning on booking a bison hunt to kick off my next trip out west in 2017, followed by some OTC elk and maybe pronghorn while I'm in the region. The place I'm looking at for bison charges by the age class for bulls. They list a price for 2, 3, 4, and 5+ year old bulls. My main motivation for doing this hunt is the experience of hunting bison - this is a challenging hunt on a very large mountainous property. Obtaining a trophy and getting all that bison meat are second and third, close together in some order. Does anybody know how bison bulls mature? For a shoulder mount, is a 3 or 4 year old bull going to look almost as big as a mature bull, or are they still growing substantially? What about body size, amount of meat, and quality of meat?

Basically I'm asking so I can decide if I should prioritize trophy size by going after a mature bull (maybe a stretch on my budget) or save some cash and get a younger bull.

Thanks,
Dan

28 January 2015, 00:28

raamw

What you will encounter is basically 3 age classes of bull bison other than calves < 2 years old
9 years old and older...over the hill bulls basically unable to stay with the herd, can go as large as 2500 pounds or more

Herd bulls, 5 to 8 or 9 years old considered in their prime and able to defend and maintain a herd, probably 1600 pounds to 1800 pounds, referred to as Trophy Bulls

Hooligan bulls 4 to 6 year old bulls, roughly up to 1500 pounds or so, generally will have decent horns and mane. Most ranches offer deals on this class since there are more of them than a stable population needs and these are the animals that kill or injure other buffalo especially younger ones when they are fighting and also kill or injure herd bulls which they gore during the herd bulls breeding.

I took a herd bull several years ago and when he went down 3 of the hooligans came over and started goring him...pretty brutal to see a big animal getting pushed ad lifted by the other ones, I guess it was there way of evening up the scorecard from previous thumpings they got.

The younger class bulls are a decent bull to take since they are in their prime or just short of it, their horns are almost as big as they will get and shouldn't be damaged and the meat will be very good. If its a trophy then a herd bull, if its size than the old over the hill boy but the meat won't be as good.

[URL=

][img]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/16560_19.jpg[

28 January 2015, 08:04

Poyntman

The above is a great explanation of age class.

Time of year should also be considered as it effects the coat and thickness of beard etc.

I'd also note that it isn't normal to have that many tiers in trophy fees. Going rate for a mature trophy bull is about 5k.

I killed one about 10 years back that was a big fully mature bull about 8 years old.
There's a big difference in appearance of a shoulder mount between a 3-4 yr old and say a 7-8 year old or older. You see a big mature bull in their Winter coat and you get that big beard and big mop top of thick hair that you wont get otherwise.

29 January 2015, 08:14

buckeyeshooter

quote:
Originally posted by raamw:
What you will encounter is basically 3 age classes of bull bison other than calves < 2 years old
9 years old and older...over the hill bulls basically unable to stay with the herd, can go as large as 2500 pounds or more

Herd bulls, 5 to 8 or 9 years old considered in their prime and able to defend and maintain a herd, probably 1600 pounds to 1800 pounds, referred to as Trophy Bulls

Hooligan bulls 4 to 6 year old bulls, roughly up to 1500 pounds or so, generally will have decent horns and mane. Most ranches offer deals on this class since there are more of them than a stable population needs and these are the animals that kill or injure other buffalo especially younger ones when they are fighting and also kill or injure herd bulls which they gore during the herd bulls breeding.

I took a herd bull several years ago and when he went down 3 of the hooligans came over and started goring him...pretty brutal to see a big animal getting pushed ad lifted by the other ones, I guess it was there way of evening up the scorecard from previous thumpings they got.

The younger class bulls are a decent bull to take since they are in their prime or just short of it, their horns are almost as big as they will get and shouldn't be damaged and the meat will be very good. If its a trophy then a herd bull, if its size than the old over the hill boy but the meat won't be as good.

[URL= ][img]http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/16560_19.jpg[

Thank you for this post. It is very educational to all of us who have no experience with Bison.

29 January 2015, 08:44

Crazyhorseconsulting

quote:
I killed one about 10 years back that was a big fully mature bull about 8 years old.There's a big difference in appearance of a shoulder mount between a 3-4 yr old and say a 7-8 year old or older. You see a big mature bull in their Winter coat and you get that big beard and big mop top of thick hair that you wont get otherwise.

This is the best and most accurate advice that has been given. There is a world of difference between a young bull and a mature bull. 3 to 4 year old bulls look impressive, until you see a 6 year old or older bull.

29 January 2015, 23:41

Dan Miller

Thanks to all for the great feedback.

04 February 2015, 06:27

medved

that video can help you too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...bedded&v=e1aEhrCBWHI

07 February 2015, 04:29

tendrams

To my mind, nothing looks better than an old 10+ year old with broomed back horns. Saw one in Custer that was 13-14 as I recall and his horns were worn back to 8" rounded nubs. Awesome. Also, the above statement is correct that a 4 year old looks impressive...right up until you see the 7 year old.