Wyatt Earp - the Buffalo Hunter

Case Analysis: Wyatt Earp - The Buffalo Hunter

The buffalo hunting tactics used by Wyatt Earp was significantly different from that of the "old timers." The "old timers" had a set standard procedure for conducting hunting. The hunter provided five four-horse wagons, and enough supplies to last several months for the hunting trip. A driver, a stock tender, a minimum of four skinners, a cook, and camp guards also accompanied the hunters during their journey. The idea of a hunter skinning his buffalo was beneath top-notch hunters. It was a job for a lesser class of person. Most hunters used Sharp's "Fifty" rifle as their weapon of choice to kill the buffalo. The cost of ammunition was high and the rifle was a heavy at 20 pounds. One benefit was the long-range ability of the rifle. To prevent further damage to the rifle, hunters would use a water-soaked rag to cool the metal in the rifle. The "old timers" technique was to surround a perimeter and commence shooting buffalo individually from a stand until a sniffer picked up the scent of blood. The sniffer would alert the other buffalo and cause the herd to stampede to a different area. Once that occurred, hunters would have to collect their kills and move to another area to find more buffalo. Expert hunters averaged around 50 kills per day, but average hunters killed between 30 and 40 kills. The profits received for meat and skins were split in two portions, which included a portion for the hunter and one split by the others on the hunting trip.

Different Approach

Wyatt Earp thought the "old timers" tactics were outdated and time consuming, so he used new tactics to hunt buffalo. Wyatt Earp purchased one wagon, four horses with harnesses, and one horse that he could use to ride. Instead of splitting the profits with four skinners, a cook, a driver, and guards, he was accompanied by only one experienced skinner that could drive and cook. Although other hunters may have killed more buffalo, Wyatt's process provided more money in his pocket due to less expenditure on staff. Even though it was considered beneath hunters to skin buffalo, Wyatt assisted the skinner to expedite the process. He did not mind getting his hands dirty, so he could increase his profits. Wyatt Earp agreed with his skinner/driver to split the profits of the hunt, while keeping the team and wagon after the hunting expedition. Instead of using the traditional Sharps "Fifty" rifle, Wyatt Earp used a shotgun to hunt buffalo. Of course, a shotgun requires a closer proximity to the target, so he had to decrease his separation distance from the buffalo. An advantage was that the shotgun did not require to be cooled down after a couple of shots. Prior to shooting, the skinner/driver would leave the area to remain safe. Wyatt quietly waved his coat and shouted to move