Bison LEH

[Gateholio]

Anyone notice that the Bison odds were way lower last years draw? Did they release more tags or is no body applying? They used to be 100-1, now some of them are 15-1...

[boxhitch]

Without looking it up, I think the permit numbers were almost doubled last year. A realization that the herd numbers are getting too high, causing huge habitat damage.

[hunter1947]

Odds for bulls where 213.2.1. for the 2007/2008 with 15 permits issued. This year 2008/2009 odds for bulls are 78.7.1 with 15 permits issued. All the rest of the odds are down more then half from the previous year for the rest of the bison draws.

[mntman]

less people are applying for them now, with some of the zones having harder access and more hoops to jump through and the fuel costs involved

[BlacktailStalker]

I noticed the same thing, now if island elk were only that way too.

[Bighorn hunter]

Odds for bulls where 213.2.1. for the 2007/2008 with 15 permits issued. This year 2008/2009 odds for bulls are 78.7.1 with 15 permits issued. All the rest of the odds are down more then half from the previous year for the rest of the bison draws.


Hunter 1947, I was under the undrstanding that the odds in this years papers are from the results of last years draws, not what they are going to be for this year. Is this not accurate?

bhh

[kgriz]

The lowest odds are for the draw right at christmas....thats the hunt that my uncle and I went on last year. It's a good hunt with good snow conditions but you WILL take a lot of heat from the family/wife ( Unless they come with ) as it pushes right until christmas day!

[mark]

I too noticed the odds are way better than ever before posted! Something else to consider for those that have already bagged one in the past.... do you really want another draw? Myself and my buddy both got bison in 96, got the heads mounted, it was a great experience. we've both been applying ever since and he got the draw again last year. He didnt go, for some good reasons.
The hunt is more about the experience, and getting a bison head mount to yer collection. once you have one, would you really spend $1500 to mount another??? They all look exactly the same! So if you dont mount it, all you get is the meat. If you consider a week off work, the fuel, and accomadation expenses, your bison meat is $2000-$3000. you can buy them from a ranch for $500-$600. I know the same can be said for any meat animal, but the actual hunt experience for bison isnt all that spectacular. Just something to consider for those who have already done it! Myself and my hunting buddy will no longer apply for the hunt, thus improving the odds even more for those who have yet to have the opportunity. I do highly reccomend it to anyone though!

[Caveman]

Hunter 1947, I was under the undrstanding that the odds in this years papers are from the results of last years draws, not what they are going to be for this year. Is this not accurate?

bhh


Absolutely correct!!

[hunter1947]

Absolutely correct!! Yes you are right Caveman. I am only going buy what the odds are from the past year and the year before. As you you can see that the odds from last year are way up from the previous year. This year odds I have no idea till they are submitted and we won't see the outcome till all applications are submitted this year.

[Caveman]

Go back in time and they were a lot higher. when they first opened they were more like 400:1, if I remember correctly. Maybe a lot of people got discouraged and quit putting in for them and that would account for the drop in odds