Photo via Valleywag

Bill Gates may be trading his pocket protector for cowboy boots. The Microsoft co-founder has reportedly purchased an $8.9 million Wyoming ranch that was once the stomping grounds of Buffalo Bill. The Cody Enterprise -- which happened to be founded by Buffalo Bill in 1899 -- broke the news by digging into property records that traced the recent sale back to an investment manager of Gates.

The 492-acre Irma Lake ranch -- comprised of four lakes and three ponds -- is 21 miles south of Cody and about 50 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. (Editor's note: The location has been corrected.) The property includes the historic hunting cabin of Buffalo Bill as well as a 2,949-square-foot guest house, caretaker's house and dairy cabin.

Valleywag obtained photos of the property and main home, an 18,000-square-foot monster that includes a large fireplace with a bison head mounted above it. Photos of the home show a modern kitchen and a living room with sweeping views of the mountains.

Here's more from the real estate description, which Valleywag says has now been removed.

Buffalo Bill settled into the most picturesque nook in the region and named his prized ranch after his eldest daughter Irma.  Currently the ranch is privately held and is perfectly suited for an incoming owner who wishes to carry on the legacy of Irma Lake.

Irma Lake is well suited for hosting family or corporate retreats.  Improvements include the main residence, guesthouse, caretaker's house, dairy cabin, Buffalo Bill stable and a rustic hut on the island located in the middle of Irma Lake.

The main residence enjoys a commanding view of the valley.  Perched above Irma Lake with expansive open spaces and patios, this home is perfect for indoor and outdoor entertaining.  With over 15,000 square feet of finished space, the home blends into the wilderness with surprising ease, a tribute to Rogers Marvel architects.  The home contains four guest suites in addition to the master suite, which sprawls over the entire northeast corner of the house. 

The real estate description also touts some of the "finest big game hunting the west has to offer." So, if Gates ever gets tired of his waterfront abode in Seattle's tony Medina neighborhood, he can always escape with a rifle to hunt mule deer or moose.  

We just hope that Gates doesn't go the way of Attachmate CEO Jeff Hawn.