Species: Bison

Bison (American Buffalo)

No animal has a more storied and tragic history than does the bison, once so plentiful on the Great Plains.  Numbers that one reached over 50,000,000, are now less than 20,000 free ranging animals.  Though many domesticated herds exist, the genetically pure strain of bison allowed to roam thier historic range is very small.  Remant populations exist in Alaska, Canada, Utah, and Arizona, with the largest populations found in the Yellowstone Park region of Montana and Wyoming, and Custer State Park in South Dakota.

Hunting free ranging bison is allowed, via very limited entry permits.  States that allow these hunts are Alaska, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.  All of these hunts are availalble as On Your Own hunts.  Most states limit non-residents to no more than 10% of these limited entry tags.  Yet, if a tag is drawn, the opportunity to hunt these inconic animals is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Cow bison taken in Montana