Hunting
 

Alberta is a smorgasbord for hunters of big game, game birds and predators. Moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyote, wolf, bear and cougar are plentiful in the mountain habitats, while antelope and varmints are hunted on the prairies. Game birds flock by the thousands in the Alberta migratory corridor. Our service providers will show you where to find the best of the best.

Deer Hunts
 

Areas
Our deer hunts take place in two areas of the province, Crowsnest Pass and  Sundre. Both of these areas are located along the foothills of the Rocky mountains and include two basic types of terrain, foothills and parkland. These areas are home to mule and white-tailed deer. There are world class opportunities for both species throughout much of Alberta and the guides, outfitters and lodges you will hunt with know where the game is and how to get it in the area they hunt.

Terrain
The foothills are large rolling hills that have naturally occurring meadows and clearings created by logging. These breaks in the forest provide grazing for whitetail and and mule Deer. The forest is ideal cover for animals to spend the daytime laying low, traveling between feeding areas or moving to water. Some of this area is crown (government owned) and some is privately owned where permission is required to hunt.

East of  the foothills lies what some people call transition land, it is a strip approximately 30 miles wide where the foothills decrease in size and steepness, the forest cover thins from the foothills into parkland on the eastern side of this strip. The hills are not as steep in this area and rich black soil carpets the land as opposed to the rocky conditions to the west, this area has a well developed agricultural industry. Hay and grain crops are planted throughout these areas, deer feed on these high quality food sources at will. River valleys, stands of forest and plenty of brush provide cover. Because of these ideal conditions our Whitetails and Mule Deer grow to impressive sizes. Alberta deer are known for having massive body size and heavy antlers, each year several book size animals are taken in Alberta. 

Herd
Alberta Natural Resources Service estimates the Whitetail Deer population at 232,000 animals and Mule Deer at 133,000 Sept. 98, based on harvest information and population counts in selected areas.

Hunting Methods
 

Whitetail Deer
Whitetails are notoriously wary, if the focus of your hunt is whitetails  you will most likely spend mornings and evenings in well scouted locations in a blind or treestand. In the afternoon when deer are not moving your party may coordinate a push during the afternoon to flush deer from cover. Throughout the season both rattling and calling are used effectively. Spot and stalk techniques are commonly used in our muley hunts and sometimes for whitetails when the opportunity arises.

Mule Deer
Mule deer are not as flighty as whitetails, they will often run a short distance when spooked, then stop to take a look back. Spot and stalk methods are effective and challenging. Later in the season rattling and calling may also be used.

Hunters can get tags for both species (combo hunt), a trophy mule deer can just as easily walk past your tree stand or blind as a whitetail. Special seasons exist for bow hunters.

Weather
Blinds are heated if the weather is cold but over the last 2 years with mild conditions heaters have not been needed. Your guide will usually be out scouting new locations while you sit in your blind, he will check in with you as often as you’d like or when he knows you’ll need a hot drink and a stretch. Hunting from blinds in an area known to be holding deer is very effective and can also be an exercise in patience, a trail that had no activity on it one day may be an interstate for deer the next. Trust that our guides have done the groundwork ahead, be patient and you will probably go home with a memory to last a lifetime

Guides
Deer hunts are guided by:
Alberta Trophy Deer or Overall Outfitting in the Sundre area.
Wayback Outdoor Adventures in the Crowsnest Pass.

  Elk (wapiti) Hunts  


Areas
The elk hunts that we offer are conducted ton the Limestone, Clearwater, Forbidden and Panther River drainages, many book elk have been taken in these areas. Access to the area is through Sundre, you will stay in comfortable tent camps in the hunting area, the tents are heated with wood stoves. The hunting area is very rugged country, forested foothills and the first range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Terrain
Elk live in the high country over the summer months and in the fall they move down into the forested areas to forage and mate where conditions are easier than they are in their summer home where it is colder and snow has started to fall. Alpine meadows in the midst of thick forest are favorite places for elk to browse in the fall.

Herd
Alberta Natural Resources Service estimates the elk population in Alberta at 26,000 animals based on harvest information and population counts in selected areas. No other province in Canada can lay claim to the title of top  trophy producer. Only two states have more typical B&C record book elk. If you are looking for a trophy elk in the 350+ B&C range Alberta should e your number one choice.

Hunting Methods
As our elk hunts take place in September calling is an effective method of hunting. Spot and stalk opportunities are also likely to present themselves as you glass the valleys in the hunting area, your guide will help you to plan the appropriate approach once the animals have been spotted. Horseback is the only way to travel in this area and you will most likely travel to your hunting area on horseback each morning after a hearty breakfast cooked on the wood stove.

Weather
Elk hunts take place early in the year, September, so there is a better chance that harsh conditions will not be a factor in your hunt. You will be right in the foothills and mountains so there is a  possibility of an early snowstorm, mornings and evenings will e chilly for sure. Your outfitter will supply you with a list of things to bring so that you will be properly prepared for any eventuality.

Guides
Elk Hunts are guided in the Sundre area by Overall Outfitting.

Moose Hunting  
 

Areas
Our moose hunts take place in three areas of the province, Sundre and Northern Alberta, Canada Moose,  Crowsnest Pass , Shiras moose.

Our northern Alberta lodge boasts an average 50 rack and a high success ratio. In the Sundre area the moose are not typically as large but they can be taken as a second species when hunting for a trophy deer, elk, or Bighorn sheep.  Pursue book size Shiras moose in the Crowsnest Pass in southern Alberta. Moose occurring south of the Bow River are classified as Shiras moose by Safari Club International, book animals will be coming out of the foothills of southern Alberta in the future.

Terrain
Moose love the water but they are often found on higher ground in the foothills going down to the muskegs and marshes to feed in the morning and evening. As the wetlands freeze in moose change from a diet of aquatic plants to feeding on grasses and the tender shoots of willow and poplar, they will often be hunted in forested areas with open meadows.

Herd
Alberta Natural Resources Service estimates the moose population in Alberta at 118,000 animals based on harvest information and population counts in selected areas.

Hunting Methods
Calling bulls during the rut, Sept-Oct, setting up on a view point of a scouted feeding area , pond or marsh, before sunrise and exploring moose country by ATV are some of the techniques that our guides, outfitters and lodges will use on your Canada or Shiras moose hunt.

Weather
The weather is usually mild during the earlier part of the moose hunting season, Sept/Oct, and can be during November, but this is Alberta and it can be unseasonably cold at any time. Your outfitter will supply you with a list of things to bring so that you will be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you.

Guides
Your Moose hunt will be guided by:
Wayback Outdoor Adventures in the Crowsnest Pass
Overall Outfitters in the Sundre Area 
Andrew Lake Lodge in Northern Alberta