Arctic_Beaver
Lil-Rokslider
I am gearing up to head out with 2 other buddies next week for a float hunt for bison. One thing that I thought I'd ask to some of the more experienced float hunters here, is what do you bring along to help with in case you drop an animal in the water for retrieval? Such as length/thickness of rope, pulleys, come along, etc? I'm wondering if a come along is necessary, or if a bison would be so big that you just have to play it as it lies type of thing with field dressing it?
Any other tips to help with the meatcare portion as it relates to dressing and caring for a very large animal, and keeping the meat in good shape for at least 3-4 days after it's down? I'm thinking 30-50 lbs of salt for the cape and hide? He wants to do a shoulder mount for the bison, but also keep the remaining back portion of the hide to tan. There might be an opportunity to take additional animals on this hunt too, so that is a consideration.
I've watched a lot of Larry Bartlett's youtube videos and certainly have the basics for meatcare down. We will of course have the other essentials like 2 tarps for pitching over the meat, tyvek ground sheet to lay on, 2-3 sets of larger game bags, hatchet, saw, citric acid, meat thermometer, spray bottle, etc.
I think we have about everything else covered. I have some decent packraft experience with the PR-49 and rowing other boats/rafts, but haven't done any longer float hunts for anything bigger than caribou. I've never been moose hunting, and bison can certainly be a step-up from that. Just thought I'd get the thoughts of the guys with experience tackling a big animal once it's down, especially in case it lands in water or the river.
I will take plenty of pics and videos of the trip and do a recap here after hunting season. I'm foregoing sheep hunting this year to go on this hunt, as who knows when there will be another opportunity to hunt free roaming bison in my lifetime.
Any other tips to help with the meatcare portion as it relates to dressing and caring for a very large animal, and keeping the meat in good shape for at least 3-4 days after it's down? I'm thinking 30-50 lbs of salt for the cape and hide? He wants to do a shoulder mount for the bison, but also keep the remaining back portion of the hide to tan. There might be an opportunity to take additional animals on this hunt too, so that is a consideration.
I've watched a lot of Larry Bartlett's youtube videos and certainly have the basics for meatcare down. We will of course have the other essentials like 2 tarps for pitching over the meat, tyvek ground sheet to lay on, 2-3 sets of larger game bags, hatchet, saw, citric acid, meat thermometer, spray bottle, etc.
I think we have about everything else covered. I have some decent packraft experience with the PR-49 and rowing other boats/rafts, but haven't done any longer float hunts for anything bigger than caribou. I've never been moose hunting, and bison can certainly be a step-up from that. Just thought I'd get the thoughts of the guys with experience tackling a big animal once it's down, especially in case it lands in water or the river.
I will take plenty of pics and videos of the trip and do a recap here after hunting season. I'm foregoing sheep hunting this year to go on this hunt, as who knows when there will be another opportunity to hunt free roaming bison in my lifetime.