Free‑range bison hunts take place on vast prairies and boreal forests where small herds roam. Hunters often glass from a distance to spot dust clouds or dark silhouettes before making a careful stalk using terrain for cover. Because of the animals’ size and thick hides, most guides recommend heavy bullets and close‑range double‑lung shots. Only a handful of jurisdictions offer draw tags for wild bison, and hunters must be prepared for extreme cold or long hikes in remote areas. Stalking a single animal separated from its herd minimises the risk of a wounded bison disappearing into timber.

Bison once numbered in the tens of millions but were nearly eradicated in the 19th century. Today about 500,000 animals exist, with most living on private ranches and a few thousand in wild herds managed by governments and Indigenous communities. In Canada’s Northwest Territories, wood bison are considered a threatened species; males and females have short black horns and males reach over 900 kg. Conservation programs use aerial surveys and regulated hunts to maintain herd health and prevent disease outbreaks. Indigenous communities harvest bison under quota systems and contribute to monitoring and habitat protection.