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Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 1:43 pm
by Dakota Dick
This year I chose Sand Hills Outfitters in Stuart NE for my annual Buffalo Hunt.
Rick Hamilton is the owner and guide along with his wife Doris.
Hunt is a 4 night 3 day affair with lodging and meals provided.You can include a half day pheasant hunt if you schedule a hunt in Sept or Oct. Rick also has a full size Buffalo Steel Gong Target that duplicates the Quigley and Alliance target and can be shot from 500 to 1000 yards.
All aspects of the entire adventure from initial contact to picking up the processed meat were excellent.
Arrived Monday late afternoon and Hunted Buffalo Tuesday morning
Temperature was 42 degrees and wind was blowing 25 mph out of the Northwest…Brrrrrrr
Used 45-110 with MVA full length dovetail mount scope.
105 grs KIK 1.5 36” Drop Tube no compression; .030 VFW, .125 SPG CG, .030 VFW all in FL resized Norma brass. 20:1 .442” BACO 536gr Creedmoor Style PP Bullet, Patched with 100% rag 9lb paper for an end diameter of .448”. Slight taper crimp to hold bullet in place and then patch coated with Rooster PP lube to seal it up against any rough handling or light moisture. Rifle will fire 4 of these loaded cartridges into a 1.5” group @100yds with no wiping or blowing between shots.
1 ½ year old Bull took two shots fired one right after the other @ 120yds. First shot through lungs approx 2” above the heart, Second shot 4” lower went through the heart. Buffalo traveled less than 30 yds before he went down which was less than a minute after the shots.
Six to seven mature cows immediately surrounded the downed Bull and stayed around him for about 5 mins. After that, the herd moved on with the exception of one mature cow who would not leave the downed bulls side. She stared us down for another 5 mins and made a few false charges then followed us back to the truck when we decided it would be better to retreat rather than push the issue. She finally left and rejoined the herd after we started up the truck.
Young bull weighted just under 900 lbs. Hanging carcass weight was 385 lbs which rendered 284 lbs of boneless packaged meat. That was 80 lbs more than my two previous meat bulls and filled my 10 cubic foot chest freezer to the brim. Wife and I will need to eat bison 4 times a week for the next year to clear out the freezer before next year’s hunt. I am planning on bringing enough bison burger to feed the Restwel Motel group at the Quigley next year.

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:55 pm
by Oregon Bill
Dick: Thanks for sharing your hunt and your load details. I also found your live/dressed and boned weights most informative. I've been trying to figure the yield -- and whether I would need a new freezer, and the answer is yes!

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 4:50 pm
by Marathonman
Momma cow of your bull I suspect. Good decision to stay out of her way!

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 6:21 pm
by VJA
Thanks for sharing the details. I am going to South Dakota in Dec. for a trophy bull. I currently shoot a 45/70, but I have a 45/110 in process from Mr. Goodman that I hope will get here before I go. I think I will need about the biggest freezer I can get in my pickup. I realize the meat off an old bull may be tough, but I want a trophy first, then maybe a young bull or a cow next year.

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 6:33 pm
by rdnck
Dick--Good report and nice meat bull. As of right now, I am officially out of buffalo meat. I need to go ahead and set up my annual trip and hunt. I used a 45-70 last time and may stay with it. Good going and congratulations. Shoot straight, rdnck.

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 6:57 pm
by bobw
Congrats Dick, fine looking buff and good shooting. Next year for me. bobw

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:46 pm
by Don McDowell
Yup I'm with Marathonman, that ol cow was a we bit pissed for you shooting her baby...

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:35 pm
by pete
Congrats. I've seen a couple of tv shows lately from Sandhills Outfitters. How do you like the full length scope? If I put a scope on my Sharps it will be a full length.

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:41 am
by Bill Quantrill
Dakota Dick,

Great Job! What a nice bull, you did good my friend. Great report.

on a side note... Your beard has more grey hair in it than the last time I saw you.

Bill Quantrill

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:17 pm
by Dakota Dick
All
I have had two winter hides done and never hunted in September before. Chose Sept because brother in law had to travel from Wash State and we did not want him to deal with poor weather conditions coming out or going back. I was very surprised at the exceptional condition of the hide. I believe the Nebraska environment and all that lush sweet grass has a lot to do with it. Would not have hesitated a minute having this hide tanned if I had needed another buffalo robe.
BQ Josh
Yep, the gray is coming on fast...just like time is flying by!
Will PM you later.
Pete
Love the full length scope...entirely personal taste thing, but I just cannot warm up to the scope mount blocks on a Sharps. That front glass lens being right over the muzzle does get coated with BP residue, but it is just plain glass lens and wipes off easy...also easy to replace if it gets scratched...$7 and I carry a spare.
Bob W
You are going to have a great time...I've been to 3 different Buffalo Hunting Outfits and Sand Hills is top of the list...great folks and a great shoot. Rick is getting started in BPCR so is really supportive of BPCR Hunts.
rdnck
I have used my 45-70, 50-90 and now the 45-110. I think I will give the 40-65 with a 410gr PP and full case of KIK 2F a try next year.
VJA
Rick has taken 2 big bulls 7-9yrs old over the last couple of years that were busting fences...Big Brutes both with a lot of attitude. He noted both were tender, tasty eating...steaks, roasts and all...must be all that fine Nebraska sweet grass.

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:19 pm
by RMulhern
Which one's Dick??? :D :cry: :?:

Re: Bison Bust'n

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:42 am
by Lumpy Grits
[quote="RMulhern"]Which one's Dick??? :D :cry: :?:[/quote]

The UGLY one ............ :lol:



Great story, and thanks for the write up, Dick.
Barbara and I are hoping to make the "Q" and to try some of that meat. :wink:
Respectfully,
LG