I headed to Texas to hunt piggies on a small ranch owned by a very good friend of my youngest son. Was a lovely place, but the cold wet weather kinda screwed up the game patterns and we only got a few small hogs. I decided while I was in Texas to arrange a Bison shoot for meat.

Was going to take a .458 AR, but the weather didn't cooperate before I left and I was not able to get standard loads done in time. So I took the trusty CZ 550 in .416 Rigby. She would get a chance to take both Cape Buffalo and Bison in the same year.

We arrived at the game farm about 10 am. Met Jeffe at Burger King on the way. Took us a little while to get out the gate, but not long. Actually took 45 minutes to locate the Bison. Had been told that a 3-4 year old cow would be available and got the feeling it'd weigh in the range of 1000 pounds or so. Seeing the animal they told me was in that range next to an older cow left me with the feeling the smaller one was a little small. So ... I was in for $1200 instead of $1000. Things always change on the ground.

We worked around a little until there was a relatively decent shooting lane. The cow was standing broadside looking left. Range was about 110 yards. I held the rifle on the sticks and found the spot we'd discussed. I wanted the girl to bleed out as much as possible so I aimed a third of the way up behind the leg. I noticed the guide holding his hands over his ears. When I squeezed the trigger she lurched, went to the left a little ways, turned and fell over. Down and dead.

Jeffe said that he'd been ready for a second shot, but after seeing the bullet impact point and the animal drop he'd not felt it necessary to help.

The guide mentioned it was nice to see someone shoot well and dispatch the animal quickly. Could have been a polite thing to say, but it made me feel good

The other Bison circled her for protection and several tried to nose her up. It wasn't working, but they stayed and tried.

Took a little while to go get the cameras and the end loader and move the other bison away. We had her in the skinning shack in relatively little time.

The fellas took about three hours to clean her and bone out the spine, pelvic girdle and the rear quarters. Jeffe and I went to lunch while this was going on. Very much enjoyed Jeffe's companionship!

The meat from the Bison completely filled two large coolers with the front quarters in a third. I had expected to have the quarters hung until Friday and then pick it up. Unfortunately this was not possible. Glad I had brought two coolers and could borrow another from Jeffe ... else there would have been a trip to buy another.

The shoot was fun. We had to half unload the coolers into other coolers with ice in order to get them out of the Cherokee. The butchering has been a massive job! I would have to recommend having it done professionally. Is not different from doing venison ... just that the pieces are HUGE and require manhandling. Gonna definitely have enough meat for the year!

Looking forward to finishing the butchery and spending a little time with Jeffe and his collection of wonderful toys!

A couple of pics:


From the "size enhanced" perspective:



From the realistic perspective:


Ranch has a website:

Cougar Run Ranch

By the way ... Jeffe is the "kid" on the right The white haired old guy on the left is me. I don't have to worry about offending clients any more!

Congrats on the Bison!

Does the ranch have a website?


Justin

Perfect shot. I would never head/neck shoot a bison. Lung shots will bleed them and kill them everytime. Getting the blood out is the best thing one can do on a meat hunt and obviously, your shot did just that.

Well done! Looks like an enjoyable way to fill the freezer.

Good shooting, and thanks for sharing.

Congratulations, Mr Mike!

Be it from the realistic, or "size enhanced" perspective, this will make for a great memory, freezer-filler, and trophy.

Thanks for sharing the story. Now we'll see if you share some of that great Bison meat!

Great shot, Sir-
Tom

PS The little piggies are better eating anyway!

Good job on the Bison. Hawkeye, he did share a couple of pacgages, I went with him to get the piggies. Looking forward to another hunt. I'd let him be my back-up any day! He shoots the 416 very well indeed, I saw it first hand. Mike is just a super nice guy also!

Way to go Mike!

Guys,
I have to tell you Mike certainly is good company, and a crackerjack shot. I watch him from a remove, with my scope on the old girl, and saw a white flash where the shot pushed the hair away... figured I'd keep my scope on her just for practice.

she ran about 35 yards, bad sick. Turned, looked at Mike, and just as I was about to call for the shot, she dipped her head and fell down dead...

Heh, for what it's worth, that shot on a 200# pig would have resulted in me shooting INSTANTLY to prevent the inevitable 200 yard run into the thickest mud and thorns he could find.

The bison where truely amazing animals to behold. Even the old herd cow wsa bigger than some of the brahma bulls i've seen.


Thanks for letting me tag along mike!
jeffe

Mike

Good shooting, dude! I'm surprised you didn't take your 470NE with you. You save the tongue and the hump? Slow-cooked, they're tender as hell and very delicious.

Nice job. Next year for me.