Buffalo
Buffalo hunt management objectives are arguably either the easiest (Raymond Wildlife Area herd) or most difficult (House Rock Wildlife Area herd) to achieve. The Raymond herd is smaller and less likely to abandon the wildlife area, and has access to less rugged, remote country than does the House Rock herd. We are easily able to meet management objectives through harvest at Raymond; our difficulties begin at House Rock. Consequently, our efforts at innovation focused on the House Rock herd.

Current estimates place the House Rock herd at approaching 300 animals. The department has recommended a variety of fall hunts over the years, including short hunts, long hunts, multiple hunts and stratified hunts, all with a varying number of permits. Buffalo on House Rock have a tendency to abandon the gentle terrain in House Rock Valley to hide in the heavily forested wilderness area (which makes access and retrieval difficult at best) or the Grand Canyon National Park (where hunting is not allowed). Hunter harvest and success has not regulated population growth, yet conditions proved frustrating for those hunters with permits. The Commission has authorized as many as 60 fall permits, with as few as three buffalo being harvested.

Spring hunts have been more successful, but equally unpredictable. The buffalo seem to move into the valley in the spring and remain there all summer before moving back onto the Kaibab Plateau in the winter. Longer spring bull seasons are proving to be the most effective way to meet the demand for a fair chase hunt, while meeting reasonable expectations for harvest. Population management seasons seem to provide the most effective method by which to get hunters afield to harvest cows and yearlings, thereby reducing herd size. The population management seasons allow the department to rapidly respond to herd availability and provide the hunter with the best chance for success.