Free-range Buffalo
The Best Buffalo Hunts in Texas
Starting at $6,500
OVERVIEW
It surprises many people that there are free-range Buffalo in Texas. And West Texas has some of the biggest ones that I have ever seen. My trophy free-range bulls are huge — they typically weigh between 1500 and 1800 pounds.
Buffalos are an exotic in Texas, which means they can be hunted year-round. The best time, however, is in the colder months (from December through February). Because of their size and thick, shaggy coats, they are more active this time of year, and easier to find.
We do free-range Buffalo hunts in West Texas. One of my ranches in the Hill Country is stocked with Buffalo, and I offer hunts there as well. Although these are not free-range animals, they behave the same way as the West Texas Buffalo do, and they make terrific trophies.
My Buffalo hunts are very popular, especially the free-range ones. I'm often booked two or more years in advance, so contact me as soon as possible if you want to get on the schedule.
Everything you need to know
WHO, HOW, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE
WHO ARE THESE HUNTS FOR?
Because these animals are so huge, Buffalo hunting presents some unique challenges. And of significance, despite their size, they are very quick and agile. You’ve got to be careful on these hunts, and it can be challenging to get a close-enough shot from a safe distance.
Buffalo hunters need to be experienced with, and comfortable with. shooting a high caliber rifle (30 caliber or higher) off of a shooting stick (experienced bowhunters are welcome too!). They also need to be able to get around on uneven terrain, especially for the free-range hunts in West Texas.
The hunts themselves are not overly strenuous, however, the real work comes after the shots are fired, especially on a West Texas hunt. In West Texas, because of the terrain, we don’t have the equipment to get the Buffalo in the air. Wrestling a big bull around on the ground is a lot of work, so you really need to be in good physical condition. If that’s a concern, consider my Buffalo hunts in the Hill Country. There we have people and equipment to pick the animal up with a tractor and get it back to the skinning area where it can be lifted with a winch. That makes the gutting process much easier, but the whole process is still a bit of work.
HOW WE HUNT BUFFALO
I don’t take more than two hunters out at a time on a Buffalo hunt, and we don’t harvest more than one in a day. That gives us time to care for each animal properly.
The hunts involve both safari-style and stalk hunting. We’ll drive around until we locate a bull(s), which usually isn’t difficult. Because of their size and the sparse vegetation, they’re typically easy to spot. Once we've picked the one we're after, we'll begin the stalk, aiming to get close enough for a good shot, but far enough away to stay safe.
After the shots are fired and we’ve gotten our bull, we field dress him — and the process for that depends on whether we’re in West Texas (where we do it all on the ground), or in the Hill Country (where we’ve got equipment to transport the bull to the skinning area).
A typical hunting day starts before daylight with a quick breakfast. Then we’re off to start the hunt. Late morning we’ll break for brunch/lunch, after which we’ll hunt until late afternoon or early evening.
After getting back to camp for the night, we’ll have a hearty, hot-off-the grill dinner and a relaxing evening before heading to bed.
It’s worth noting that I don’t have a big camp where you will be in a lodge with a bunch of people you don’t know. When you hunt with me, you or your group have exclusive rights to the ranch for lodging and hunting.
ABOUT BUFFALO
Buffalo -- American bison -- are native to North America. Although close to extinction once (it has been reported that there were just a little over 500 in the late 1800s), it was estimated in 2019 that there were 31,000 in North America. They can be found throughout the United States, with the largest concentrations in South Dakota, Wyoming, and other western states. In Texas, free range Buffalo are found in West Texas. There is a thriving herd in Caprock Canyons State Park, in the Texas Panhandle. Hunting is not permitted there, but it is a terrific place to see these magnificent creatures.
They stand five to six and a half feet tall and mature bulls often weigh close to a ton. Both bulls and cows have curved, sharp horns that grow up to two feet in length. Their average lifespan is twelve to twenty years. When necessary, they can run 40 miles per hour.
They are grazers and feed on grasses, herbs, shrubs, and twigs, and they regurgitate their food and chew it as cud before final digestion.
Female bison live in herds with other females and their offspring. Typically, a male bison will leave that herd at three years old. Occasional, senior bulls will live in those herds as well. Upon leaving the herd, a male bison may stay on its own, or join a bachelor herd. Males and females do not mix outside of mating season (from July through September). Males play no role in raising the young.
WHEN AND WHERE WE HUNT BUFFALO
Buffalo can be hunted year-round, but it’s best to hunt them in the colder months, from December through February. That’s when I prefer to schedule these hunts.
The only region in Texas that has free-range Buffalo where hunting is permitted is West Texas. I offer hunts in that part of the state. I also have an eleven+ square mile ranch in the Hill Country where I offer non-free-range Buffalo hunts.
For free-range hunts in West Texas, if you are traveling by air, fly into El Paso or Midland / Odessa and rent a car to drive to the ranch.
For Hill Country hunts, if you are traveling by air, fly into the San Antonio International Airport. Rent a car there and drive to the ranch.
PACKING LIST
To prepare for your hunt, take a look at my packing lists. Some of the links on those lists are affiliate links — that means that I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Note, however, that I only recommend products that I use myself. In addition, take a look at my recommendations for hunting gear.
The weather in Texas can be unpredictable, and change quickly and abruptly. Make sure to check the weather forecast and pack appropriately.
Generally, summers are very hot, winters can get quite raw (especially in West Texas), and early spring and late fall days often have huge temperature swings with cold evenings, nights and mornings, and warm or hot afternoons.
For most hunts, prepare to dress in layers so you can add or take off clothing as temperatures shift throughout the day. For warm weather hunts, pack clothes that breathe, are well ventilated, and keep the sun off of you. For mountain hunts, avoid cotton — wool or synthetic works best.
For hunts in the late spring, summer and early fall, Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is invaluable. We do a lot of walking through tall grass, and chiggers and ticks can be a problem. With Sawyer Permethrin you don’t have to worry about them. It's sprayed on your clothing and once it dries it’s odorless and colorless. I LOVE this product, and literally never leave home without it!
And one last - but very important - note: Do NOT wear new boots! Make sure your boots are well broken in!
Comfortable boots/shoes
Snake boots (I typically wear snake boots to keep the cactus/thorns/brush off my legs; only for Hill Country hunts -- snake boots are not appropriate for West Texas hunts)
Jeans/Pants/Insulated Overalls (Lighter weight pants for the Spring/Summer and heavier weight for the Fall/Winter)
Camo shirts: Long Sleeve Shirts & Insulated Long Sleeve Shirts
Uninsulated & Insulated underwear
Darn tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion socks are my favorite. They last close to forever!
Comfortable camp clothes
Backpack – a water bladder in your pack is helpful
Rifle & Ammo or Bow & Arrows
Personal Toiletries & Medicines
Valid Texas hunting license
PACKING DETAILS
PRICING FOR TEXAS BUFFALO HUNTS
Daily rate is required only for the Hill Country Ranch. Call to check availability for this hunt.
0 - $325 per hunter
Daily Rate
$6,500 per animal - call to check availability
Trophy Fee
Buffalo Trophy Hunts
$2,500 per hunter
Deposit
Meals
Lodging
Guide
Transportation around the ranch
Field care of your trophy
All of the meat, hide, horns and skull of your trophy
Valid Texas Hunting License (Non-residence 5-day Special Hunting License – Type 157 – $48)
Transportation to ranch
Drinks besides water and coffee
Non-hunting guests – $250/person/night
