We are offering these hunts on two large ranches in beautiful South Park, Colorado encompassing over 75,000 acres of historic buffalo range.  Our hunting location is about 2 hours west-southwest of Denver near the town of Hartsel.  The elevation is about 9,000 feet and the ranches are back dropped by the beautiful, snow-capped Mosquito Mountain Range to the northwest, which includes several 14,000-foot peaks, and Pikes Peak to the east. 

Our individual hunting pastures on the ranches range from 2,000 to 19,000 acres, offering plenty of land for pursuing these huge animals.   The terrain ranges from thick Ponderosa pine forests, relatively open but broken country comprised of rock bluffs and brush, to open rangeland.  

Between the two ranches we have access to, there are approximately 1,200 head of buffalo.  

Fair Chase Conditions
These buffalo are in free-ranging herds living in their native habitat.  Unlike some buffalo herds, the buffalo on these two ranches have not been pen raised but left to their own to devices to roam and breed naturally.  The herds are located in large pastures (several thousand acres) with little human contact.  Bowhunting will mostly be done by stalking on foot, which can be very exciting and potentially dangerous due to the size (up to 2,000 pounds!) and possible aggressiveness of these animals.  Hunting will also occur during adverse high-elevation winter conditions.

For those not familiar with buffalo, there is a very real danger element because of the animal’s quick changing attitude.  The best description of a bison's temperament is UNPREDICTABLE. They usually appear peaceful, unconcerned, even lazy, yet they may attack anything, often without warning or apparent reason. To a casual observer, a grazing bison appears slow and clumsy, but he can outrun, out turn, and traverse rougher terrain than all but the fleetest horse. They can move at speeds of up to thirty-five miles per hour, and cover long distances at a deceptively fast lumbering gallop. They are truly a different type of animal due to their unpredictability, which is one of the things that make this bowhunt exciting and challenging.   
 
Because this is a fair-chase bowhunt, you are not guaranteed an animal.  But if you hunt hard on your 2-day hunt and shoot well, you should be able to harvest an animal.  Additional hunt days can be added if necessary.

Bowhunting Method
The terrain is comprised of stands of Ponderosa Pine, rolling hills with scattered timber pockets, large rock outcroppings, creek beds, and open rangeland.  Spot and stock hunting on foot will be used to hunt these animals. “Drives” may also be used by the guide to push the buffalo past the shooter.  Treestand and blind hunting may also be used where appropriate.    

SSO only guides a maximum of 2 hunters at a time on each of the two huge ranches. 

Due to the aggressive nature of these animals, all hunters will be accompanied by a guide carrying a large caliber rifle.

Hunt Logistics
SSO offers two-day hunts in January and February.  Weekday and weekend hunts are available.

If an animal is harvested, you keep the entire animal; meat, horns, skull, cape and hide.  Bison meat is extremely tasty and healthy.  Young cows or bulls will provide the best quality meat.  You can expect to get 400 to 700 lbs. of meat from the cows and younger bulls and up to 1,000 lbs. of meat from the trophy bulls.  

We hunt only during the coldest months of the year so you can be assured of a very nice cape or hide.  

You will be hunting at high elevation during the winter months so dress accordingly.  Snow may be on the ground this time of year, so you may also want to bring along some light-colored or white camo clothing in addition to your regular camo clothing.  Camo clothing should have a large breakup pattern.

If you are flying from out of state, the closest airports are Denver International Airport (DIA) and the Colorado Springs Airport.  The drive time from DIA to the hunting area is about 2-1/2 hours and the drive time from the Colorado Springs Airport is about 1 hour.

Lodging and Food
Lodging and Food  $100/day/man (1 hunter) $75/day/man (2 hunters)

Lodging and food can be arranged for an additional fee.  You would stay at a comfortable cabin on the ranch property and eat at the local restaurants.  The price includes one night of lodging and breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Hunters can arrive the evening before their first hunt day and leave the evening after their second hunt day.    

Licenses
Hunting licenses are not required to hunt buffalo in Colorado.

Hunt Packages
We have three hunt packages: Cow Hunt, Young Bull Hunt, and Trophy Bull Hunt.  Please let us know which hunt package you are interested in so we can tailor your hunt for you.  

All hunts are 2 full days.  The packages do not include food and accommodations but this can be included for an additional price.    With each hunt package, you keep the entire animal; hide, horns, skull, and meat.  Game bags are provided for all hunts. 

Cow Hunt Special  $1,100
 For the budget-minded meat hunter, this hunt is for any cow of your choice.  Expect some of the best meat from this hunt along with a very nice hide that can be displayed on a wall or on the floor as a rug.  Hides from most cows will square around 7 to 8 feet.   A mature cow will weigh around 1,000 pounds and you can expect 400 to 500 lbs. of meat.  

Young Bull Hunt  $2,000
This hunt is for a 2-3 year old bull and is probably the best value because you get a lot of excellent meat along with a head that is large enough for mounting.  The horns don’t have the mass like the trophy bulls but they still make a nice mount.  Capes on these bulls will be in their prime and you also get the back half of the hide that makes a nice rug.  Young bulls will weigh between 1,000 to 1,200 lbs. and you can expect 500 to 700 lbs. of meat.

Trophy Bull hunt  $3,000
These are the big boys from 4 to 12 years old.  You can expect to take a huge herd bull that will weigh near 2000 pounds!  The hides on these animals are very impressive this time of year and will make very nice mounts.  Expect over 1,000 lbs. of meat. 

10% Discount for Party Hunters

SSO offers a 10% discount per hunter for hunting parties of two.  

Additional Hunt Days $200/day/hunter

If the hunter doesn’t harvest his animal during the 2-day hunt (this is not a guaranteed hunt), additional hunt days can be arranged for an additional daily rate.  Scheduling of the additional days will need to be worked out between the guide and hunters.  A 10% discount on the daily rate is offered for groups of 2 hunters.  Food and accommodation costs are additional.

Deposit
A non-refundable $1,000 deposit per hunter is required to reserve your hunt.  The remainder is due when you shoot your animal.   If you are not successful in harvesting a buffalo during your 2-day hunt and decide not to continue your hunt on the daily basis, the hunt cost will be $1,000.  If you decide to extend your hunt and harvest an animal, the total hunt cost would be the regular animal rate (cow, meat bull, or trophy bull) plus the additional daily fees. 

Taxidermy Services
Taxidermy services are provided by Dean Hendrickson of Wildman Taxidermy located about 30 miles west of Denver.  In addition to being an expert taxidermist, Dean is also the Head Guide for the buffalo hunts so he can transport your animal directly to his taxidermy studio for no additional fee.  Dean has been performing taxidermy for 23 years and can meet any of your taxidermy needs. 

Skull Mount (European style) $275
Full Shoulder Mount   $1,025
Hide Tanning     $11.95/sq. ft. 
Fleshing Fee (for rugs)  $55 (cows, meat bulls) $85 trophy bull

Additional Activities

Sightseeing
You can visit the historic gold mining town of Fairplay located about 30 miles from the ranch or do some shopping in the nearby towns of Breckenridge, Frisco, and Dillon, located about 1 hour away.  Gambling is also available in the historic mining town of Cripple Creek located about 1 hour away.

Skiing
Snow skiing at nearby Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin ski areas is available.   Breckenridge is the closest ski area and is located about 1 hour away. 

Predator Hunting
There is also some excellent coyote hunting on the ranch.  This can be arranged for no additional fee during your 2-day hunt or arranged separately at the standard daily rate.  A Colorado small-game hunting license is required to hunt coyotes.

Conditions

• Tips for the guide are always welcome.
• The hunter is responsible and will be charged for any animals wounded.  Due to the danger of having a wounded animal on the ranch, wounded animals will be finished with a rifle if necessary, by the end of the day the animal is wounded.  The hunter will first be given every opportunity to finish the animal with his bow.  Any buffalo shot by the guide that charges or endangers the hunter or guide and is shot to protect the hunter or guide, will be the responsibility of the hunter.
• Generally while hunting, any of the animals seen in our hunting pastures can be shot.  However if the hunter shoots a buffalo on these hunting tracts or other land tracts that the guide has not approved, the hunter will be responsible for reimbursing the ranch for the cost of the buffalo.
• SSO will skin, cape, quarter, and load your buffalo into your truck.  You will need to take the meat with you so plan on having a truck or other large vehicle available.  Please bring a large tarp with you to wrap and cover your meat.  Transportation and meat processing costs are not included. 
• Any legal bow for hunting big game in Colorado may be used on your hunt.  
• Expandable broadheads are not allowed.

Stick & String Outfitters
6338 W. Elmhurst Dr.
Littleton, CO 80128
(303) 972-4295
Email:  stickandstringoutfitters@att.net
Web Site:  www.bowhuntingoutfitters.com