The majestic American buffalo is one of the most revered creatures this side of the Mississippi River. Nearly 15 million of these majestic beasts once roamed the Great Plains, providing food, clothing, and shelter for the Native Americans of the U.S. and Canada. By the end of the Civil War, there were less than 1,000 remaining. Thankfully, due to stringent conservation practices, their population is on the rise, and now there is a population of around 500,000—most of which live on privately owned ranches—Rocky Mountain Elk Ranch being one of them. Since most people haven’t hunted buffalo, we figured we’d give you a heads up with a few basics.
Where the Buffalo Roam
Buffaloes live mostly in wide-open prairies or grasslands, making them reasonably easy to see and track down. Spot-and-stalk is the most common method; however, some human predators prefer going after them from a blind or scanning the countryside in a vehicle until they come across a small gathering of them. The hunt isn’t as challenging as tracking a deer or an elk, but the meat is like nothing you’ve ever tasted.
For our buffalo meat hunts, we typically target one to two-year-old buffalo or bulls that are usually over six years old. Look for tattered rubs on trees and large clumps of fur on shrubs or near pathways. You may also want to keep your eye out for their wallows as they can be about 10 feet wide and large enough to sustain frogs and toads.
These massive creatures—the largest land mammal in North America—may appear to be slow, both mentally and physically, but anyone who has gone Idaho buffalo hunting will tell you not to take these animals for granted. They have a top speed of 40 miles per hour and will charge at you if they feel threatened. If you can believe it—at Yellowstone National Park—they’ve hurt more people there than the bears have!
Idaho Buffalo Hunting at Rocky Mountain Elk Ranch
After a long day out on the range, it’s essential to treat yourself to a little rest and relaxation. Even though a lot of hunters like to set up camp in a shack, yurt, or tent, there is no shame in a little indulgence from time to time. Our guided buffalo hunts will make you feel like a real pioneer, but we won’t make you live one. We want to invite you to our hand-crafted lodge that offers excellent countryside views, satellite television, and home-cooked meals—we even have some neighbors with a hot-spring pool!
Please call us at 208-351-7301 to learn more about how you can experience Idaho buffalo hunting and take home some of the best meat on the range.