FREE ROAMING WILD BISON IN THEIR NATIVE HABITAT! Bison (buffalo) still roam free on parts of their original range in Northern Alberta. Most of these bison live within the unfenced boundaries of Wood Buffalo National Park, a vast wilderness and the largest park in the world. Few people realize that isolated populations of these bison exist outside the Park, and may be hunted.
BISON Bulls can reach 2400 pounds and there are some truly heavy horned trophies. The existence of these animals in their northern forest habitat was unknown at the time when the population on the plains was brought to the edge of extinction.
WILDERNESS HABITAT - These bison utilize small meadows, bogs, marsh edges, and timber in their range which they share with moose, caribou and wolves. The wet conditions in the forests and bogs make most of their range inaccessible except during the winter months on frozen ground. Oil exploration seismic lines, creek bottoms, old trapper trails and even ancient bison trails provide the only access for snowmobiles.
UNIQUE HUNTING EXPERIENCE! - The opportunity to hunt free roaming wild
bison is very limited, in both Canada and the United States. Those jurisdictions
offering fair chase hunts strictly limit the licences issued. Alberta is the sole
exception. Non resident hunters need not enter a draw or apply for a licence to
hunt with us.
FAIR CHASE HUNT FOR FREE ROAMING UNFENCED WILD BISON! - Make no mistake about it, these are wild animals! This could be one of the toughest hunts in North America. Alberta law allows residents to hunt these bison year round, without licence or limit. The fact that they are still out there attests to how tough it is! You will not see any resident hunting pressure.
ALBERTA'S MOST EXPERIENCED BISON OUTFITTER! - Eight years of experience in the same plus the willingness to work harder have been the keys to our success. Other outfitters offer this hunt, few have actually been there and hunted, and none have come back for a second season.
THE HUNT - Travel the seismic lines, sometimes for days to find a
fresh track. Bison are then followed on foot in the snow. Lines are often
grown in or the saplings bent over by snow and trail cutting is sometimes
required. We set up comfortable wood stove heated tent camps close to the
bison habitat. Camp is accessed by snowmobile, a distance of 50 miles from
the road. Hunts are one on one, with a cook/assistant in camp. We take a
aximum of 2 hunters at a time. Although it is possible to hunt this area from
early December to the end of March, we feel the optimum time is mid Feb. to
late March. Days are longer and the weather warmer during this period.
Temperatures can range from 30 below 0 to the 40's.
LICENCES - No licence is required to hunt wild bison in Alberta, but hunters are encouraged to buy a wolf licence (about $50). Wolves may be taken at no extra charge on the hunt. Under Federal law, these bison are not considered "pure" Wood Bison subspecies, and no CITES permit is required for export. With the present BSE closure for beef product, bison meat is not importable to the US. Hunters are encouraged to donate it locally.
2006 PRICE- $US 6000. One guide per hunter. Two hunters per guide $US 5000 each. 8 day hunt with one day in and one day out of camp. Hunt includes cook/helper in camp, all meals and transportation from High Level. Hunters are met in High Level, Alberta, which is serviced by several small commercial airlines. Wolf licence (optional) and 3.5% tax extra.
READ RALPH DIMEO'S ACCOUNT OF A 2005 HUNT - at
www.kingofthemountainonline.com/bison.htm
