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HOMEGROWN

Mark Peterson
|  
Location: Michigan

It has been almost 8 years since I made the life altering move to change my occupation and jump with both feet into the outdoor industry.  Since then, I have been fortunate enough to travel and film all across the world, from the peaks of the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan to the savannahs that stretch across Africa and everywhere in-between.  I am beyond blessed to have these experiences and to gain the knowledge associated with these adventures.  While I have been able to enjoy these amazing hunts in far off locations the one thing that hasn’t subsided is my love and passion for hunting in Michigan!

I haven’t filmed, or shown much of the hunting I do in my home state, in literally my own backyard.  If there is one positive thing all of the Covid 19 lock down stuff has done, it’s made me realize just how special the hunting is in my home area.  Hunting in West Michigan has cultivated and created my love for hunting and the great outdoors.  This has led me to start a new digital series entitled “Homegrown.”

What is “Homegrown?”  It’s what I have done since I could walk, since I could carry a gun of my own, since I was legally able to hunt on my own. This series showcases my passion and love for hunting in West Michigan.  It is what I do when I’m home and not filming across the world.  I am hunting in my neck of the woods, which a lot of the time is literally my backyard. “Homegrown” is a digital series that is all self-filmed.  For the first time in 8 years, I will not have field producers with me while I hunt.  With “Homegrown” I will be going back to a time when I do it myself, including 100% of the filming.

In the series, I will be going through the ins and outs of managing our property in West Michigan, in an effort to not only create one of the best hunting properties in the area but also to showcase why I truly love West Michigan.  My area is not known for giant bucks, but it is known to have a long-lasting hunting heritage that is passed from generation to generation.  I will show the hunting experiences that I have with my daughter Chelly and how I work to pass this heritage from my generation to hers.  Times are a lot different now than they were when I grew up. Young people have so many more options of what to do with their time than we did, it seems.  I have found that our father-daughter relationship has grown so close as our time in the field together has increased.  

Through this video series, I look forward to hopefully evoking the emotions that so many of us hunters have for hunting our home states, the love of hunting with our family and the desire to pass these traditions down to the next generation. I can’t wait to hear everyone’s feedback. Remember, it is this feedback that allows me to grow in my filming and constantly improve what I do. 

Happy Hunting!!!

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Bison Hunting in the Lower 48: An Authentic American Hunting Experience

Bison Hunting in the Lower 48: An Authentic American Hunting Experience

Only a few animals capture the spirit of North America like the American bison. Standing over six feet tall at the shoulder and weighing in excess of a ton, these magnificent animals once roamed the Great Plains in numbers estimated between 30 and 60 million. Today, their numbers have rebounded dramatically from near extinction, but opportunities to hunt truly wild bison remain limited and highly sought after. Whether your goal is to experience a once-in-a-lifetime free-range hunt or harvest a mature bull on a well-managed private ranch, understanding the options for bison hunts is essential before making your decision.

Free-Range Bison Hunts

For many hunters, pursuing a truly wild bison represents one of the greatest adventures available in North America. These hunts take place on large expanses of public land or vast state-managed properties where bison behave much like any other native big game species. Hunters often spend several days glassing, hiking, and tracking animals across rugged landscapes before having the opportunity at a mature bull.

One of the best-known free-range opportunities is found in South Dakota. The bison herd within Custer State Park has become one of the country’s premier hunting opportunities. Every year, the state issues a limited number of highly coveted tags, with a bonus point system in place. Hunters fortunate enough to draw receive assistance from experienced park personnel who help locate and field-judge mature bulls. The success rate is exceptionally high, but drawing the tag takes planning and often requires patience.

Wyoming also offers free-ranging bison tags around the Yellowstone ecosystem. These hunts are considered among the most prestigious bison hunts in North America. Successful applicants often contend with steep terrain, changing mountain weather, and long hikes or horseback rides to pursue animals that migrate out of Yellowstone National Park. Drawing a Wyoming bison license often requires years of applying because competition for these permits is intense.

WTA TAGS offers application services for free-ranging bison in other states including Utah, Arizona, and Alaska. Each has its own application process, draw odds, and regulations, making long-term planning essential.

Estate Hunts

Private ranch bison hunts provide another excellent opportunity to harvest one of North America’s most iconic animals. While some hunters immediately think of small enclosures when they hear the term high fence, that description often fails to represent today’s professionally managed bison operations.

Many private ranches encompass tens of thousands of acres of native prairie, rolling hills, timber, and river bottoms. The fencing exists primarily to manage livestock ownership rather than to make hunting easier. Bison remain incredibly wary, possess excellent eyesight and hearing, and can cover ground surprisingly fast. Successfully harvesting a mature bull still requires careful stalking, good shooting, and experienced guides.

One significant advantage of private ranch hunts is predictability. Tags are guaranteed, allowing hunters to schedule a trip without waiting years to draw a permit. These hunts also tend to offer flexible dates, excellent accommodations, and a much shorter planning timeline than public-land, free-range opportunities.

For many hunters, a quality private ranch hunt is an excellent option. It offers an outstanding way to experience bison hunting without spending decades waiting on a draw. It’s a great way to collect a stunning trophy, provide delicious protein to friends and family, and skip the grocery store.

Choosing the Right Hunt

The deadline to purchase Wyoming preference points is October 31. If WTA is already managing your TAGS applications, you’re all set. If not, don’t miss the chance to secure points this year. It’s the perfect time to talk with a TAGS consultant to start a new portfolio or grow your existing one.

Wyoming’s system is unique. Unlike other states, you don’t automatically receive a preference point if you’re unsuccessful in the draw. Instead, you must log in after July 1 and purchase your points separately. Building points is critical if you want a shot at drawing a Wyoming tag. Over-the-counter opportunities are a thing of the past. Today, only 25% of non-resident tags are issued randomly. The other 75% go to applicants with the highest point totals.

If you want to hunt big game in Wyoming, building preference points isn’t optional…it’s essential.

Watch Wyoming Video

While preference points are an investment in the future, don’t let that keep you from starting now. While Wyoming has units that require 18+ points, there are also good opportunities to hunt sooner. There are elk, deer, and antelope hunts that can be drawn with 0–3 points. Think about it this way—the more points you have, the more options you have.

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