Has anyone done an elk hunt in Canada? I am looking for two hunts in 2016, for my wife and myself. Thanks Daniel

In 2008 I did a combo elk/moose/Mtn caribou hunt with Stone Mountain Safaris and had the time of my life. Far more than just a hunt but you have to like horses...

I also had a great hunt for the same species with Prophet-Muskwa Outfitters. Same deal with horses....

The horse bit may be a problem for this old man. Been 55 years since I was on a horse and then for only a few minutes.

I live in British Columbia and good elk hunts are pretty much horseback hunts.

No idea if there outfitters in the area but there are good numbers of elk in and proximal to farm / ranch land in SW Alberta. perhaps there might be some no horses / minimal horses options.

Maybe someone will chime in with a no horseback hunt.

DLALLDER:
Top of the morning to you sir, I trust that this second weekend of 2016 finds you well and warm.

As mentioned by tuchodi - welcome here from the Okanagan tuchodi!! - I can't envision an elk hunt in BC that might give a guided hunter even remotely good odds of taking a bull without either horses or what most would consider a death march on foot.

I used to hunt with horses and my current favorite elk chasing spot is so full of shin tangle there'd be no chance of getting a horse in there. The major limiting factor for me personally when hunting is how many hours/how many trips on my back with meat the extraction will be.

Anyway this isn't meant as a discouragement sir - just some real world, local perspective.

If you've not traveled up into Canada to hunt for a bit, please take the time to peruse the stickied thread at the top here which contains a wealth of information for anyone coming up across the medicine line to hunt.

There are elk in all four western provinces - some really big specimens in Manitoba and Saskatchewan by the way - but I'm not certain if they're available to non-resident hunters.

Hopefully that was useful information for you or someone considering taking advantage of our 30% lower dollar. Good luck on your hunts whichever way you decide sir.

Dwayne

You might have a look at HORSESHOE CREEK OUTFITTERS website. They are located in BC's peace river country and provide non horse back elk hunts. Not a wilderness experience but good outfit and good success rates

Can anyone comment on how hard it is to get meat back into the US from Canada?

It's easy. There are a couple of official hoops to go through at the border, but all you need is to present documentation of your hunt to U.S. officials when you return. I've done it a bunch of times.

The biggest problem is traveling by air, which means paying extra money for extra baggage--which is why I drive up, if possible.

That's good to know. Couldn't imagine bagging an elk plus a moose and not being able to take the meat home.

We made a wt hunt in 2013 in Alberta and drove from east Texas. No problems at the Saskatchewan border going or coming home and had a big 300 lb wt boned out in the back of the truck

I second the suggestion of SW Alberta.
I would also look at the Peace Country in northern Alberta.
There maybe some good hunts in the Parkland region as well. Elk are expanding into new areas across the province. Does the outfitter you used for your deer hunt guide for elk as well? IIRC that was in the Parkland area.

We have a good number of elk here in SE Alberta now but I haven't heard of anyone outfitting for them here yet.
This is mainly due I believe, to the fact the herds regularly move in and out of the military base which while there is a "hunt" on it, is only open to residents on a draw basis.
Daniel, as you know, I live, work and play in SE Alberta and I am holding off cashing in my draw points in this region due to fact the elk, esp the big boys, don't venture far from the base. FWIW there have been some excellent bulls taken in the area outside the base though. I wouldn't recommend basing an expensive trip here....yet. I suspect things will change as the herd matures and disperses further in the SE.

Jeff,thanks for the info and the outfitters you sent. We have not made a decision yet but I may not have many more seasons to hunt at 70. Jeff, we deer hunted at Viking, Ab., not sure what area it is called. Kevin, the outfitter has not responded to my email but don't think he does elk hunts.

Hi Daniel,

Viking is in the Parkland region.
I'll see what I can dig up in a couple days. I think I know an outfitter in the SW who does elk hunts.

I'm on nights tonight then going on one of the cow elk hunts on the military base as a helper with a friend who has a tag.
Jeff

Thanks, Jeff

Hi Daniel,

Apologies for the delay. We took a very large cow elk on our base hunt then went on night shifts right away.

I dug up a couple outfitters who might fit your requirements.

Blue Bronna operates in my favourite part of Alberta, just north of the Crowsnest Pass. I haven't hunted elk in there but have hunted MD and grouse as well as fly fish the Crowsnest River every chance I get. Hope to retire in the area.

CCC Outfitters also operates in the SW region. Mainly Foothills/ranchlands I believe.

Last one is NW of Calgary in the Foothills. He mentions access by truck specifically on his website.

Hopefully this gives you a place to start. SW Alberta has some pretty darn good elk hunting.

Jeff

There are some big bull elk not far from Viking around the Camp Wainwright area, but I'm not sure on the seasons. I know the "on camp" zone is a draw for Alberta Residents only. I think the surrounding zones are archery only, but there may be a rifle season. I only mention it as you are familiar with the area. I live about 45 min from Viking.

SS

Thanks for all the information but it looks like we will be going to Montana in late October. Not a done deal but very promising.

There may be better elk hunts in the western provinces but Ontario has been restocking elk for a couple of decades or so. There has been some success south of Algonquin Park. The reproduction of the elk has been more successful in that area over other parts of Ontario. The province had a natural elk population and my great grandfather and his brother used to hunt them more then 100 years ago. It's good to see some success in this initiative. It's like putting something back that was there before. Good luck in your hunt.

I would imagine, as in the States, there were elk and bison all over the map...