Did Wild Bill Shoot Buffalo? The Truth About Bison, Hunting, and the Old West

The image of a frontier gunfighter taking down massive buffalo herds is a powerful one—but did Wild Bill Hickok actually hunt buffalo?

Let’s break it down with real history and a bit of Old West reality.

The Bison Population in Wild Bill’s Time

During the mid-1800s, the American plains were home to enormous herds of American bison.

• Estimated 30–60 million bison roamed North America in the early 1800s
• Herds were so large they could cover miles of land
• Travelers often described trains being stopped for hours while herds crossed

However, by the time Wild Bill was active (1850s–1870s), the population was already beginning to decline rapidly due to:

• Commercial hunting
• Railroad expansion
• U.S. government policies

Did Wild Bill Encounter Buffalo Often?

Very likely—yes.

Wild Bill Hickok spent much of his life in:

• Kansas
• Nebraska
• The Great Plains

These were prime buffalo territories. So even if he wasn’t a professional buffalo hunter, he would have seen herds multiple times throughout his life.

Did He Actually Hunt Buffalo?

Here’s the honest answer:

👉 There is no strong historical evidence that Wild Bill was a dedicated buffalo hunter.

Unlike famous buffalo hunters such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill was known more for:

• Law enforcement
• Gambling
• Gunfighting

That said, it would have been unusual for a frontiersman of his time not to have shot a buffalo at least occasionally—especially for food.

Was His Gun Powerful Enough?

Yes—absolutely.

Wild Bill famously carried:

• Colt 1851 Navy revolvers

While these were excellent for gunfights, they were:

• Not ideal for large game like buffalo
• Required multiple well-placed shots to bring one down

Buffalo hunters typically preferred:

• Large-caliber rifles (like Sharps rifles)

So if Wild Bill did shoot a buffalo with a revolver:

• He would need to get close
• Aim carefully at vital areas
• It likely would not drop instantly

Where Would You Shoot a Buffalo?

Hunters in the 1800s aimed for:

• Heart/lung area (behind the front shoulder)
• Sometimes the head, though the skull was very thick

A perfect shot could drop a buffalo quickly—but often it took time.

What Parts of the Buffalo Were Used?

Buffalo were incredibly valuable animals.

If Wild Bill Hickok hunted one, he likely would have used:

Meat

• Tongue – considered a delicacy
• Hump meat – very tender and prized
• Ribs and roasts – for general eating

Other Uses

• Hide – for clothing, blankets, or selling
• Fat (tallow) – for cooking or making products
• Bones – sometimes sold later in the 1800s

Did Cowboys Sell Buffalo Bones?

Yes—but mostly after the big slaughter years.

By the 1870s–1880s:

• Massive piles of buffalo bones were collected
• Bones were shipped east to be turned into:
  • Fertilizer
  • Industrial materials

While Wild Bill Hickok died in 1876, this industry was just beginning. It’s possible but not documented that he participated.

The White Buffalo Legend

The idea of hunting a rare white buffalo is more myth than everyday reality.

The white buffalo is:

• Extremely rare
• Sacred in many Native American traditions

The story became popular in modern culture through the film:

• The White Buffalo starring Charles Bronson as Wild Bill Hickok

Did Wild Bill Hunt a White Buffalo?

👉 No historical evidence supports this.

This is purely a Hollywood legend, not part of the real Wild Bill story.

Final Answer

Did Wild Bill shoot buffalo?
👉 Possibly for food—but he was not known as a buffalo hunter.

• He definitely lived among massive herds
• His revolvers could kill a buffalo—but weren’t ideal
• He likely would have used the meat and resources if he did hunt one
• The white buffalo story is fiction, not history

Final Thought

The real Wild Bill Hickok wasn’t defined by buffalo hunting—but by something even more iconic: his reputation as a lawman, gambler, and one of the most legendary gunfighters of the Old West.

I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in the Western United States and while out there I saw quite a few buffalo in the parks. If you like wild buffalo or bison as they are more properly called, I found a nice wall hanging sculpture for you to check out: WILD BUFFALO SCULPTURE

Hello, I’m Jeff and I am an Amazon Associate. If you make a purchase through a link on my website, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions help me maintain this website.

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