What caliber for buffalo?

[Sisco]

I'd like to see someone take one down with one with a sharpened, titanium spork.

Native Americans used to kill 'em with a stick with a sharp pointy rock tied to it.

 

[DadOfThree]

From the Bison hunt link above,

High-velicity high-powered rifles, .270 or better, recommended. The ranch wants animals shot in the head to prevent meat loss. The ranch discourages the use of old, slow calibers, such as .45/70.

Seems more like a meat market than a hunt. .270 shot to the head of a bull doesn't seem like the way to go to me.

 

[Byron Quick]

Native Americans used to kill 'em with a stick with a sharp pointy rock tied to it.

After they acquired the horse they did. Before they had the horse the Great Plains were largely avoided. The primary buffalo hunting method was to find an appropriate area with a small cliff or canyon, hope the wind was right, set multiple fires on the prairie, and stamped the herd over the drop. Gorge time. Problem was that this method often killed more animals than the band could eat or preserve before the rest went bad.

Some scientists believe that similar hunting methods played a major role in the mass extinction in North America 13,000 years ago. Camel, horse, lion, smilodon, mammoth, cheetah and many others all became extinct in North America.

 

[Kurt S.]

dadofthree

High-velicity high-powered rifles, .270 or better, recommended. The ranch wants animals shot in the head to prevent meat loss. The ranch discourages the use of old, slow calibers, such as .45/70.

Yeah, I saw that when I was looking at the website. However, "recommended" and "discouraged" are the operative terms here- I suspect if Mr. Rancher had already cashed your check he wouldn't be escorting you back to the gate if you showed up with your Marlin. Although I have been on ranches where if you showed up with say, a semiauto milsurp rifle they would ask you to keep it locked up and lend you a bolt action.

Seems more like a meat market than a hunt. .270 shot to the head of a bull doesn't seem like the way to go to me.

You won't get any arguments from me on that score. Sounds a little like a trophy shop as well.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Kind of sounds like the bison I've killed.....Just dirve up and shoot the sucker in the head at close range. Also known as slaughtering an animal. If you just want the meat I can get you a mature cow or young bull for around $600.00 + $300.00 to have it processed packaged and flash froazen. These bison "hunting" ranches are selling these critters for nearly twice the going market rate. For those prices I'd shoot the SOB with anything I chose. And further more why would a old slow round like a .45-70 be any less effective on a head shot than a .270 it sure as hell wouldn't do as much meat damage. I think I'd stay away from the ole S.D. buffalo ranch!!!

I'll tell you guys one other thing on that link they talk about the Alberta woodland bison hunt for $4000.00. Only one little tiny problem the woodland bison may not be imported into the USA as they are listed as a endangered species and there is no CITES permitt available at this time for the woodland bison. So the only thing you'd get to bring home is a picture.