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Winning The Lottery: A Wyoming Bison Hunting Tale

Ben Julian
|  
  • Ben Julian

Tag Drawn with WTA TAGS

Photographer: Ryan Hoeft (Find him on Instagram @crossroadswithryanhoeft)

This whole journey started with my love for hunting and traveling to different areas after various big game animals. I started researching areas where you could hunt wild, free-range bison. Being from Illinois, we mainly hunt deer, turkey, coyotes and mushrooms. I must travel to hunt western big game, but it’s worth the journey and it’s my absolute passion. I finally decided to contact WTA TAGS to help me choose my next big adventure. In doing so, I got in touch with Erik Schell. We discussed some options and decided to apply for a Wyoming bison permit, but to be honest, I never truly expected to draw the tag. 

As time passed, I honestly had forgotten about my application, being so busy with day-to-day life. While on a trip to Alberta, Canada bear hunting in May, I received a very ecstatic call from Erik asking me to give him a call. Not being able to handle the suspense, I used some of my long-distance minutes to give him a call from the camp cell network. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. After several attempts, Erik answered and exclaimed, “You drew it man, you got the bison permit!” 

I was in absolute shock. I had already had a great week and harvested my biggest black bear to date and now this. I was told to go buy a lottery ticket. However, I did not go buy one. I had already won. The odds were 1 of 14 permits applied for by 764 people. After drawing the permit, I decided to book with an outfitter recommended by WTA TAGS. The trip was set for the second week of November. It was only May and November could not come fast enough. Although I had a couple other hunts planned, I was really excited for this trip.

I headed out in November, by myself, for a nice 20-hour drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming from Bethalto, Illinois. There I met up with my guide and wildlife photographer Ryan Hoeft. Ryan and I were picked-up bright and early on the first day of hunting. We were very excited about the day despite the snow and below zero temperatures. It was amazing – the scenery, atmosphere, and company could not have been any better. The snow-covered terrain, the variety of animals and, above all, hunting off horseback only added to the excitement of the whole trip. Horseback hunts are one of my favorite ways to hunt. You can cover a lot of ground and I enjoy riding a horse or a mule. As we rode horses all around and below the Teton Mountains, we saw a wide variety of animals: grizzly bears, elk, wolves, moose, mule deer, antelope and BISON! We were able to cover a lot of ground in just five days on horses. We located various herds of bison grazing where they could in the snow-covered country. Unfortunately, we were unable to find one that was in a legal area to harvest it. We did see some butchered carcasses left by other successful hunters. One in particular was especially memorable. As we rode to the top of a ridge overlooking a valley there were two grizzlies eating the bison carcass. We were sitting there in awe when two wolves showed up circling, waiting for a turn. It was truly amazing and that sight will be etched in my mind forever. Even after five days of hunting, we had not been successful, but it was still an amazing experience. I fell in love with Jackson Hole and hope to retire there some day.

On the drive home, I just couldn’t accept the fact that we saw so many bison and not one in a legal area. I stayed in contact with my outfitter and explored some other options. I still had a valid tag, I just needed to get back out there before the season ended and find a bison in a legal area. 

I ended up taking another trip out in January, cutting it very close to the end of the season. Even more areas were now closed to hunting and the options even more limited. On January 23, 2019, my guide and I found a herd going over the boundaries to feed. We gained permission to hunt from the landowner. We hiked into the area where we had last seen them. We quickly glassed and found them feeding, just where we suspected they would be. I stalked in to about 100 yards and picked out what we thought was a good bull bison. I aimed my 300 ultra mag in the sweet spot and slowly squeezed the trigger. It looked to be a good shot, but I reloaded and shot a second time. Shortly after that, he went down. I thought I was dreaming; I could not believe it, I had actually harvested a bison. 

Turns out the bull weighed right around 2000 lbs and, what I was told, would most likely be a Boone and Crockett scoring bison. I have not had it scored. It sure does taste great though and I was able to bring around 800 lbs of meat back to Illinois. This late season bison hunt made a beautiful mount, life altering memories, and not to mention a few new friends that I still stay in contact with.

To say the least, if Erik Schell with WTA TAGS had not helped me with this, it may have been something I never would have followed through on. I was overwhelmed with how my guides went the extra mile to ensure this was a successful hunt. My photographer, Ryan Hoeft also put in the work! This guy drove about the same distance as I did, from the opposite direction. He braved the cold and rode on an unfamiliar horse for days, all with camera in hand. He captured some of the most amazing photos I have ever seen. His photos really tell a story and I will have them forever.  Special thanks to all those involved!

If you are considering looking into this, don’t waste time. Get started now and contact someone at WTA TAGS. The 2021 application deadline to apply for free-range bison in Wyoming in March 31st . 

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Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

As the December 15 deadline to apply for Alaska’s most coveted big-game tags approaches, one opportunity stands above all others: limited-entry Dall sheep. If you’ve ever dreamed of pursuing this iconic high-country species, now is the time to apply.

Why this Hunt Matters More than Ever

In the not-too-distant past, Alaska suffered back-to-back-to-back severe weather events that dramatically impacted Dall sheep populations across much of the state, resulting in fewer over-the-counter opportunities and even closures. Hunters have been forced to look to Canada, where hunts are now largely sold out through 2027 and prices have surged beyond $60,000. Even at such outrageous prices, availability is scarce.

This shift has made Alaska’s limited-entry draw areas for Dall sheep one of the most valuable options left for serious hunters. With hunts priced between $28,000 and $35,000, applicants can still access very high-quality white sheep at nearly half the cost of Canadian alternatives.

Exceptional Success Rates

Despite the challenges statewide, the limited-entry regions—managed by very conservative tag allocations—continue to produce outstanding results for the lucky applicants of WTA TAGS:

  • 100% shot opportunity during the past three seasons,
  • 90%+ harvest rates on mature rams,
  • Some of the largest Dall rams in North America.

For those willing to embrace the physical challenge, this hunt represents the ultimate North American mountain adventure.

Why…
My Alaska Range Grizzly Adventure

My Alaska Range Grizzly Adventure

I’ve been a bear hunter my whole life, but grizzly was always the dream. When the time finally came, I reached out to WTA to book a hunt. My someday hunt was finally becoming a reality. I thought I knew what I was hoping for: one good opportunity at a mature grizzly. What actually happened over those 10 days was beyond anything I could have imagined.

My journey began in Anchorage, where I stayed the night before flying into the bush. The outfitter has a liaison in town to help with any last-minute needs, so no rental car was needed. The next morning at Merrill Field, I boarded a turboprop (they use caravans, not tiny Super Cubs) for the 1½-hour flight into hunting country.

At the airstrip, the crew waited with Kong—a massive military deuce-and-a-half that can ford rivers, plus Polaris six-wheelers. After a stop at the roadhouse to organize, we headed to moose camp, about four miles upriver.

The camp itself told stories of 50 years of hunting. Cabin walls covered with dozens of hunters’ stories, as far back as the ’70s. Old regulation books showing $50 polar bear licenses. Boxes of ammo, left behind over decades for anyone who might need them. Four cabins with wood stoves surrounded the main lodge, and there was a creek-fed shower with endless hot water. A crate of beer stays ice-cold in the stream. It’s glorious. Remote Alaska with just enough comfort to keep you hunting hard every day.

From the roadhouse, we spotted two black bears on the mountainside. That evening, the cameraman Jordan and I glassed near camp, getting oriented for what was supposed to be a grizzly-focused hunt.

The next morning, those black bears were still there. We moved in. At 390 yards, with shifting thermals threatening to blow our approach, I took my shot. Low but lethal. Two more shots finished it. While butchering, we discovered this old boar was peppered with birdshot—dozens of pellets in each leg and shoulder. Somewhere, sometime, he’d been a problem bear. He could take a bullet. By 3 p.m., we had meat in the freezer and the hide salted. We were back to looking for grizzly.

Day two took us seven miles up the creek on six-wheelers, somewhat technical riding through river crossings and over rough terrain. Near the old sheep camp, we spotted a sow with three cubs and various black bears, but no boars.

Then everything changed. Rounding an alder-lined corner, our guide hit the brakes. A black bear ahead was acting strangely. It was actually approaching us. Behind him, a grizzly was hunting him, panting from the chase. The black bear, caught between predators, escaped up the cliffs.

The grizzly sat on its haunches, exhausted, looking between us and the black bear as it escaped. This bear was in full predator mode, seemingly calculating whether we might be easier prey. Then he simply lay down for a nap, 400 yards away, completely unconcerned by our presence.

For 34 minutes, I stayed behind the gun. Time passed slowly as we talked through every scenario: “If he does this, we’ll do that.” Finally, he stood and turned broadside at 415 yards. One squeeze, perfect shot placement. He barrel-rolled down the slope.

This was it—the animal I’d wanted forever, taken in a sequence I couldn’t have scripted better. Pure euphoria.

We had two bears down and over a week left of hunting. Day three was Jordan’s birthday, and we decided to get him a bear tag from camp. This would be his first hunt behind a rifle. We picked up a great black bear in no time. Jordan’s demeanor totally changed as he went into hunt mode and put a perfect 350-yard shot right into the bear’s heart. Top-tier birthday!

Three bears in three days with a week remaining. I bought a second tag and grabbed my bow. We spent four days searching for another bear, exploring drainages, following wolf tracks, catching Dolly Varden, and collecting shed antlers. Living the full Alaska experience while always hunting.

On the second-to-last day, I spotted a huge black bear doing loops through berry patches on a steep face. After multiple failed positioning attempts, I opted to go solo while Jordan and our guide filmed from a distance. The bear, hearing me crash through the alders below him, thought I was another bear invading his berries. At nine yards, with his hackles up and ears flat, I put an arrow through his front shoulder. Our group’s fourth bear.

Four bears in four days. An incredible adventure. This was the outfitter’s first year focusing on Fall bear hunting. The populations are thriving (evident from the moose without calves), and they’ve wisely increased tag allocations.

I came to Alaska with a lifelong dream of taking a grizzly. What I got was something I couldn’t have imagined: multiple species, incredible encounters, and memories that transformed a dream hunt into something beyond dreams. The grizzly lying down in front of us, completely unafraid. Jordan’s pure joy at his first bear. Stalking with my bow, close enough to hear the bear growling and clacking its jaws.

Some hunts meet your expectations. This one created new ones. When you book with WTA, you’re not just booking a hunt, you’re setting yourself up for adventures you can’t even imagine.

Learn about this Hunt

The Central Flyway is a waterfowl superhighway—a vital corridor for migrating ducks and geese—and for those of us lucky enough to be waterfowlers, it offers unmatched opportunities to hunt and experience the migration from September through January.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of chasing ducks around the world, but many of my favorite memories come from following this flyway, especially during those early years when my duck-obsessed father would pull my brother and me out of school every Fall to chase birds.

That’s right! We missed school every year for dedicated waterfowl trips. No regrets.

In the true north country, along the edges of Canada’s boreal forest, early-season hunts are nothing short of magical. The birds are just beginning their journey south—hungry, unpressured, and eager to settle into newly harvested grain fields. It’s a waterfowler’s paradise. The decoy spreads in these northern zones are often among the first the birds see, and their eager, uneducated responses can be absolutely breathtaking.

One of the most unforgettable sights is the famed swirling cyclone of Canada geese funneling down into a field. I can still hear my dad yelling over the deafening honks, his voice barely audible, “They can’t hear us!” The birds were so loud that those at the top of the funnel couldn’t even hear the gunfire below. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know exactly the kind of spine-tingling moment I’m talking about.

When the birds pushed south, so did we.

The prairie pothole regions of North Dakota are pure waterfowl gold. The right pothole on a cold morning—especially if you can find open water—can be magic. And if the water’s frozen? My dad had a fix: get there early, break trail through the skim ice, and push it under itself to create an opening. Voilà…open water.

I’ll never forget one frigid morning. After breaking ice, my hands were bright red and on the edge of frostbite. I looked at my dad for sympathy, but he just grinned as the puddle ducks cupped up and said, “Do you want warm hands, or do you want to shoot ducks?” Like I said, he was a fanatic. I grabbed the old Winchester pump and did my best. That day, I also learned the value of hand warmers and Gore-Tex gloves.

There are so many unforgettable moments:

  • Slipping and sliding at a Nebraska reservoir, laughing hysterically as we wondered if we’d ever get the old Suburban and trailer back up the icy boat ramp. After limiting out on greenheads.
  • Rowing across the Delta Marsh in the dark to find the perfect crescent-shaped bulrush island to set the decoys that the canvasbacks couldn’t resist.
  • Chasing snow geese in South Dakota and realizing we’d finally picked the perfect field, the one that made it worth all those hours spent spray-painting sheet-metal shell decoys in the garage.

These weren’t just hunting trips. They were memories shared with family, with friends, and with the great outdoors itself.

In the end, missing a week of school every year was worth every single minute.

The last duck hunt I shared with my admittedly duck-crazy father was a world away and half a lifetime ago. The hunt may be long over, but the memory will always stay with me.

At WTA, we’re proud to connect our clients with trusted partners so they can experience these same one-of-a-kind adventures.

We offer incredible destinations and outstanding outfitters all along the Central Flyway—from Alberta and Saskatchewan to North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma—so you can create your own lasting memories.

Call Worldwide Trophy Adventures at 1-800-346-8747 today to book your trip of a lifetime.

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