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Triple Threat: California Bighorn Rifle

Mark Peterson
|  
  • Mark Peterson
Species: Sheep
Method of Take: Rifle
Location: British Columbia

Mark Peterson’s quest for the NA29 with all three weapons continues with the story of his California Bighorn taken with his rifle.

Choosing the Location Carefully…

The Fraser River Valley of British Columbia is known as one of the best places to hunt for California Bighorn. This trip definitely lived up to its billing. Booking with one of the best CA Bighorn outfitters that Worldwide Trophy Adventures has to offer was the easy part; the wait was the hard part. The number of CA Bighorn tags allotted each year is very limited, so I had to book this hunt more than two years in advance. This particular outfitter is allotted and receives 4 tags over a 5-year period, so planning in advance was a must.

I chose the Fraser River Valley of British Columbia not only because of its reputation, but also for a number of other factors. British Columbia is the only place where you can purchase a tag with an outfitter, instead of waiting for a state draw or going after a state governor’s tag. The sheep in this area are heavily managed, and that leads to great trophy potential and a high sheep density. Because I have had such great success with this particular outfitter, I am also booked with him for my archery California Bighorn.

A different way to hunt sheep

This was a pretty unique hunt, especially for a sheep hunt, because we had to hunt down in the ravines. We started above the sheep as opposed to starting on the bottom, like the majority of sheep hunts. Needless to say, I wasn’t complaining about this. The sheep live on the cliffs up above the river, but they come up to the top of the cliffs to feed on the agriculture fields above the ravines. We saw a huge number of sheep, and the ram I took was the largest that we spotted. He ended up measuring right at 170 inches. We managed to find him on the first day of the hunt and I made a good shot at just under 300 yards. My brother-in-law, Eric Schlukebir, was also able to take a great ram on the same hunt.

Recommendations

I definitely recommend the Fraser River area of British Columbia to anyone looking for their California Bighorn. WTA is lucky to work with the top outfitters in the area. If you’re looking for a CA Bighorn, give WTA a call but plan to book this trip well in advance as the tags are severely limited and the outfitters are booked out years in advance!

 

All the best in the great outdoors,

-Mark
www.markvpeterson.com

 

 

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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.

View Wyoming TAGS Hunts

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