Question on bison with trad gear

[ChadMR82]

I am putting in for the Custer State Park bison "hunt" in South Dakota. This year I will just apply for preference point but plan on applying for the draw in the next couple of years. I would really like to use a recurve but I only shoot about 46# and about 10.5 gpp arrow. I know this is not enough for a bison.

What would be a good traditional setup for bison with trad equipment? I was thinking 55-60# with about a 12 gpp arrow setup. Keep in mind I would not shoot past 25 yards. I would also either be hunting either a young bull or cow about 2-4 years old. I cannot afford the big boys at $5000

Thanks for any advice for first hand experience.

[Bisch]

PM Phillip Fields. He has shot a bison with a stickbow. If I had the opportunity, I would hunt bison with my set-up. I shoot 50# at my 29.5" DL. I would definitely work up a heavy arrow though.

Bisch

[Selfbowman]

Indians did it with a rock on the end a arrow off a horse. What's the problem over? They probably run more off a bluff though.

[Phillip Fields]

I used a Massie Longhorn longbow. 57# at my 28" draw length. Arrows weighed about 620 grains with a 1 1/2" in wide 2-blade, 160 grain Magnus broadhead. I shot a cow, about 900 lbs. She was at about 25 yds. She took a step and turned slightly as I shot, so the shot was a little farther back, and the angle was slightly more quartering than I liked so I didn't get the penetration I wanted. I took out one lung. She ran about 75 yards and went down. We walked up to her and I put a finishing shot through her lungs. I think my broadhead was too wide and if I do it again, I will use a 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" wide 2 blade head.

My buddy took a cow about 850 lbs on the same hunt. He used a Black Widow recurve, 54lbs at his 28" draw. He used a 125 grain, 2 blade Magnus Stinger. His arrows were about 600 grains. He had a perfect broadside shot at about 18yds. His cow ran about 35 yards and went down. He clipped the aorta off the top of her heart.

[ChadMR82]

Cool, thanks guys! Thanks Phillip for the first hand experience. On the Custer Park hunts you only get one day to hunt. If I get drawn I would probably try with bow part of the day but would also take my rifle so that I dont blow a limited tag. Sounds like I need to work up to a 55# bow. Im always looking for an excuse to buy a new toy

[Picorancher71]

I shot my buffalo with a 55 lb. Black Widow longbow, a cedar shaft that weighed 590 grains, and a 160 grain Simmons Treeshark. I shot mine kind of high, and I managed to cut the dorsal artery...he bled out quick and only ran about 40 yds. It was an 800 lb. bull. I swear by those Treesharks!!

[ChadMR82]

Cool, thanks Picorancher71, feel free to post pictures

[Buff]

I shot mine with a 55 pound bow using a 125 razor cap broad head

[Landrover]

I shot mine with a 55 pound bow using a 125 razor cap broad head
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One of my favorite pics on TBH!!! Just incredible. One more week and the hunt is on...........finally.

[youngbuck1]

So hypothetically if you shot an animal and hit it well, but it still travels over 200 yards and your guide makes you finish it with a rifle. is that still a traditional kill? Or rifle kill? Just wondering. Had an argument with someone earlier this year. Not trying to hijack

[M.E.B.]

So hypothetically if you shot an animal and hit it well, but it still travels over 200 yards and your guide makes you finish it with a rifle. is that still a traditional kill? Or rifle kill? Just wondering. Had an argument with someone earlier this year. Not trying to hijack

If it has a bullet in it it is not a bow kill of any kind. At least P&Y will not accept it.