Buffalo Hunt

Good memories of past hunts and even some ice fishing filled the air as we drove to Majestic World Lodge near Portage, Pennsylvania. We shared about my bull elk and ice fishing for trout. I was with Pastor Carr and Pastor Bell when they shot a large bull elk and a bull red stag. Both my father-in-law and my wife had taken cow elk here.

My wife’s cow elk had taken her, her dad, me and two guides more than 5 hours to finally nail. The first shot and the last were all it took, but the 5 hours between was a rough hunt in rough terrain.

I had asked my father-in-law a year ago what were his dream hunts. What did he want to go after. His answer surprised me.

“Buffalo,” he said, “I always wanted to hunt a buffalo.”

Wow! I didn’t see that coming.

To make a long process short, I talked with the folks at Majestic World Lodge and set up a hunt. Glenn Adams (my father-in-law), Kris (my wife), Alan Adams (my brother-in-law), and I drove to the lodge on a January Monday and got settled in.

First thing Tuesday, after the usual fantastic breakfast, we all geared up and entered the hunt area.

We usually walk in, regardless of the snow. The snow had been so deep this year that hunts the week before had to be cancelled. And the settling snow now had a lot of treacherous ice on it. Even unlocking the gate almost pulled the feet out from under our guide. To ensure everyone’s safety, we used a 4-wheeler mule to get back into the bottom along Bob’s Creek, a nice trout stream.

Once there we were able to cram into a raised blind. It overlooked a small clearing where the creek and several two-tracks intersected. We immediately got as comfortable as you can in a winter blind with the windows open. We all looked in different directions. In some directions, it was possible for a large elk or buffalo to be within 20 yards before we saw it.

The next two hours passed easily. Muffled conversation about the animals, the lodge and other hunts kept us entertained. We occasionally heard an elk bugle, even this long after the rut. The bugling sure makes the spine tingle.

Suddenly, like ghosts materializing among distance tree trunks, three buffalo were running straight for us.

Butch, the camp manager, was out trying to move game to us. But even his knowledge of the animals and the terrain almost backfired. He was crawling along, trying to push them out at a slow pace. The buffalo had their own mind, spooked and ran full tilt. And, a buffalo can run a good 35 miles per hour.

Fortunately for us, the buffalo chose one of the trails that came toward our blind to run along.

As soon as in sight, we all shuffled so Glenn could aim out the buffalo side of the blind. The shot of his .30-06 sounded like a keg of black powder going off in the quiet setting.

It was a quartering shot at about 80 yards. Two buffalo ran on past us with their afterburners on. The third ran another 30, teetered and fell.

Wow! Awesome! We patted each other on the back for a clean shot and a great experience. The bull was a 1-1/2-year-old that was approximately 900 pounds. What a batch of future burgers and steaks!

Many photos, relived versions and three hearty meals later, we headed for home with the mission accomplished.

What a dream hunt!

And Butch, sorry, but we did raid the icebox Tuesday night. The cooking was just TOO good.