If you’re looking for a unique exotic animal hunt that taps directly into the soul of American hunting, bison hunting bison at Cotton Mesa is the amazing expedition you’ve been searching for!
After a bison is down the work begins. A big part of a bison hunt is meat and our team is skilled and properly equipped for the job. Skinning and quartering a bison can take some time and our team works diligently to get the job done right. We also have local meat processor that can pick your meat up from the ranch and make great products like snack sticks, jerky, and more.
Hunting these great beasts at Cotton Mesa is the adventure of a lifetime and a trophy hunt you’ll be talking about for years to come. Check with us today for our current bison hunting availability.
History of American Bison Hunting
As a fundamental aspect of life for many Native American tribes, bison hunting was a critical part of obtaining resources and played a significant role in the culture and survival of the first Americans. Providing food, clothing, tools, and materials for shelter, bison were hunted using various methods. The most common historical methods of hunting bison were bow and arrow and spears. Some tribes were known to essentially “pack hunt” bison, encircling the animals and driving it to jump off cliffs, collecting the meat and hides afterward. Due to the valuable role of bison in Native American life, bison were revered and featured often in their religious and cultural ceremonies. To many cultures, bison were symbols of strength and abundance, and were honored for their connection to humans and other living things.
In the late 19th century, bison had been seriously overhunted and were facing drastic habitat loss to farms and agricultural endeavors. The main culprit of the bison’s near extinction was market hunting, which was the commercial hunting of bison for the sale of their meat and hides. Conservation efforts began for this prized animal and National Parks were established where bison could roam freely without risk of being hunted. Reserves and private herds also helped restore bison to healthier populations. Today, bison are no longer at risk of extinction and now limited hunting of bison is allowed with permits.
Current Hunting Regulations for American Bison
American bison hunting has been highly regulated ever since their near-extinction in the late 19th century. Hunting bison requires permits with strict rules on the size, age, and gender of the bison being hunted. There is no designated bison hunting season in Texas. Bison can be hunted year round with the correct permit, however, the most popular times to hunt bison are in the fall and winter months.
The Ethical and Conservation Considerations of Hunting Bison
Joining bison guided hunts, like that at Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch, can give you a unique glimpse into the rich history of bison hunting in the United States. Besides adhering to all local, state, and federal bison hunting guidelines, we value and respect the cultural significance and the ethical aspects of hunting this great animal. We also strive to continue the conservation efforts that play a pivotal role in preserving bison populations and their habitat.
