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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 715
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OP
Campfire Regular
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How is the herd this year and what do you think about a hunt in 2018 is it still to early to tell , thanks....Sarge
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,352
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
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We are going up this year. What I have been told is the bush deer made out well again. Next year will be better if this winter stays mild. This is my first trip back in 5 years. My outfitter said they were seeing good 3.5 year olds last year. He expects some good deer shot this year.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,627
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
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Given a reasonable winter this year, I'll be back in 2018 as well.
WWP53D
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,430
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2017
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Would love to get up there and hunt big whitetails. Someday!
-Jake
Small Game, Deer, Turkey, Bear, Elk....It's what's for dinner.
If you know how many guns you own... you don't own enough.
In God We Trust.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
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Numbers were great, almost like the old days but the age class is not quite there yet.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 715
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 715 |
So 2018 or wait a bit longer ? Thanks......Sarge
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,352
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
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if the winter is mild 2018 will be very good.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 715
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,425
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
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The age structure is getting better. Assuming a good winter 2018 is looking pretty good.
Life begins at 40. Recoil begins at "Over 40" Coincidence? I don't think so.
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 43 |
Both whitetail and mule deer herds are doing well. The mule deer population (residents only) is doing actually very well in my area, they're taking up land where there used to be whitetails only which I thought would be a problem this year, I would see a lot of mule deer where I normally hunt whities and would see barely any whitetails in the early season. It all changed once the weather turned colder and snow hit the ground, whitetails were everywhere again. The mules seem to have pushed the whitetails a little bit but that all changed as we were approaching the rut. As for whitetails, the past three years has seen a constant incline in whitetail population. I hunted hard and I've seen a few 150" plus whitetails and quite a few in the 120-130" range. Two 160" plus deer were taken in my area, one of them being mine. As most have already said, depending on this winter, the deer population should do well for 2018. Still a lot of food on the ground and barely any snow (central to southern Sk) but we are still really early. We had some really warm weather right after WT season ended, which I am hopeful gave the big bucks a chance to rest and recoup before winter hits us. 167" 3/8
Last edited by Scruffee; 12/23/17.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 715
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 715 |
I know its still early but how does the herd look ? Thanks.....Sarge
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,053
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,053 |
I don't always venture out into the sub-freezing darkness, but when I do, it is deer hunting season, and I carry a Remington. Stay hungry my friends.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,157
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,157 |
Both whitetail and mule deer herds are doing well. The mule deer population (residents only) is doing actually very well in my area, they're taking up land where there used to be whitetails only which I thought would be a problem this year, I would see a lot of mule deer where I normally hunt whities and would see barely any whitetails in the early season. It all changed once the weather turned colder and snow hit the ground, whitetails were everywhere again. The mules seem to have pushed the whitetails a little bit but that all changed as we were approaching the rut. As for whitetails, the past three years has seen a constant incline in whitetail population. I hunted hard and I've seen a few 150" plus whitetails and quite a few in the 120-130" range. Two 160" plus deer were taken in my area, one of them being mine. As most have already said, depending on this winter, the deer population should do well for 2018. Still a lot of food on the ground and barely any snow (central to southern Sk) but we are still really early. We had some really warm weather right after WT season ended, which I am hopeful gave the big bucks a chance to rest and recoup before winter hits us. 167" 3/8 Dream deer right there!! Grats
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,627
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,627 |
Scruffee- Very nice deer!
WWP53D
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,608
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 43 |
Thanks guys!
Those of you wondering, the 2017/18 winter started very well but ended pretty bad. We had record snowfalls in late winter with low temps. Spring bear season started with well over two feet of snow where I hunt. The mules are doing well but the Whitetails seem to have gotten the crap kicked out of them in a lot of zones.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,053
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,053 |
Scruffee..what zone/area are you in??
I don't always venture out into the sub-freezing darkness, but when I do, it is deer hunting season, and I carry a Remington. Stay hungry my friends.
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 43 |
Central Sk, I hunt mostly 29, 30 and 53 where whitetails are doing alright so far but I have seen a lot of reports from guys in other zones saying the herd hasn't gone down the past seasons. I can say that I have encountered far more winter kills this winter/spring while shed hunting, then I usually do.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,053
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,053 |
I don't always venture out into the sub-freezing darkness, but when I do, it is deer hunting season, and I carry a Remington. Stay hungry my friends.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,425
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,425 |
The late snowfall was brutal but thankfully short. Before that there was next to nothing for snow. The age structure is improving on the forest fringe but the numbers are nowhere near what they used to be and may never be again. There are a fair amount of up and comers. My place up in 53 is a bright spot in a lot of bleak, but there are pockets here and there. Coyote populations got hammered between decent prices and parvo which is helping the fawn survival.
We did a 25 KM hike in Sask Landing Park last Saturday. For those that don't know that's some rough river break country by our standards, and the sort of thing that you could use to train for mountain hunting. No vehicle use in there. We saw a grand total of 5 deer, all whitetails. Back when things were good that would have been hundreds, and mostly mulies.
Watch out for outfitters that are claiming lots of big ones; they're likely to lie about other things too.
Life begins at 40. Recoil begins at "Over 40" Coincidence? I don't think so.
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