Mickelson Ranch operates a full-service hunting outfitter on the sprawling grasslands of western South Dakota near Mud Butte. The ranch spans 7,000+ acres—over 3.5 square miles—where buffalo roam free alongside mule deer, whitetail deer, turkeys, and antelope.

Bison hunting is the ranch's specialty. You can hunt mature trophy bulls weighing 1,900–2,100 lbs, younger trophy bulls at 1,200–1,400 lbs, breeding cows (900–1,100 lbs), or calves (450–600 lbs) that produce exceptionally tender cuts. Winter is prime season—buffalo hides are thicker and more plush, making trophy mounts more impressive.

•Weapons allowed: Bow, black powder rifle, or large caliber rifle. Guides will get you within shooting range of your chosen animal. After the shot, the ranch transports your bison to a nearby processing facility that specializes in bison meat. You keep everything.

Pricing:

Hunt Type	Weight Range	Price
Juvenile	500–700 lbs	$3,000
Prime Cow	900–1,000 lbs	$4,000
Medium Bull	1,200–1,400 lbs	$6,000
Trophy Bull	1,900–2,100 lbs	$8,700

Group discounts of $500 per hunt apply when three or more hunters book together. The ranch encourages large groups and offers combined packages with pigeon wing shooting.

You can hunt on foot with spot-and-stalk technique or take an authentic western horseback approach. All buffalo hunts include two nights lodging, morning and evening meals, and guided hunting.

Stay in a spacious 4-bedroom ranch home with large living area, kitchen, and dining. Sleeps 8 comfortably. Airport pickup and drop-off can be arranged from the nearby regional airport.

Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer: $1,500 for 3 nights, 2 meals daily, one hunter. Additional days $100/person/day.

Antelope: $1,200 for 3 nights, 2 meals daily, one hunter. Additional days $100/person/day.

Merriam Turkey: Cedar Canyon on the property holds a healthy turkey population. Two-day hunt, two-night lodging, four meals for $600. Unguided hunt; you're responsible for your SD license.

Prairie Dog Hunting: $200/person/day.

All deer and antelope hunts require a valid South Dakota hunting license. Apply through SD Game, Fish and Parks for west river special buck tags or southern part of zone 53/northern part of zone 46.

Not everyone hunts, but the ranch ships grass-fed buffalo meat nationwide. All bison are hormone-free, growth-promotant-free, BSE-free, and processed in an inspected facility.

Why bison over other red meat?

•70–90% less fat
•50% less cholesterol
•30% higher protein with fewer calories
•High in Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
•Studies show eating 5 oz, four to five times weekly can reduce LDL cholesterol by 40–45% in six months
•Non-allergenic to humans
•Bison cannot get cancer

Meat cuts available:

•Buffalo ribeye steaks (6–8 oz, 2-pack)
•Tenderloin (8 oz, 2-pack)
•New York steaks (8 oz, 2-pack)
•Sirloin steaks (8–12 oz, 2-pack)
•Boneless roast (3 lbs)
•Ground bison (1 lb pkgs, 10 lb minimum)
•Patties (½ lb, ⅓ lb, ¼ lb sizes, 10 lb minimum)

Buffalo hunts require a $500 deposit to hold your date; balance due in cash on hunt day. Cow and calf hunts require 50% deposit, with remaining balance due 30 days before the hunt. If you can't keep your date due to weather or personal conflicts, your deposit rolls to another date that same year or the following year.

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