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Rick

I hunted near that area last year...I think a little bit North and east of there...not exactly sure...but with a different Outfitter.

We hunted in what they call up there the "Bush". Large stands of timber with cut lanes and some clear cuts. It is one of the most majestic areas in the world... absolutely amazing place.

Three of my friends and I hunted went up there. The Outfitter was first rate and the camps were more than adequate..Our Outfitter runs a first class operation.

The hunting up there can be the most "mentally challenging" you will face...You are up there all day for a week..in stands and because there are not the numbers of deer (we hunt in the MS delta...you see a number of deer there) it can work on you...it did on me...I was up there to hunt "big deer" and I passed on two deer that any where else, I would have pulled the trigger...Those two deer I judged in the 160's...I have taken three deer in the 160's and I am after a 170+ (B&C gross scores). I ended up not taking a deer...my friends all took deer in the high 140's to high 150's gross...The body size of these deer are amazing all 260+ to 300+ lbs.

One of my friends has taken some very large deer (gross low 190, best nets 168 B&C)...He saw the most and the largest deer among the 4 of us...However, I knew he was going to have a difficult time judging the deer up there ....because he was use to seeing MS delta deer (which are not small by any measure...but they are noticeably smaller than the deer up there) the "racks" on the deer up there just plain look smaller than deer most are use to seeing because of the body size in relation to the "rack" and a lot of people just have a hard time judging vs what they are use to seeing.

Anyway, he also made the mistake of taking his Video camera to the stand...good for us we could actually see what he saw ...bad for him because he will never live down what happened!

He came in on a Thursday from hunting that day and told me he may have "messed up"....This was his experience...He had seen a large 8 point come down the cut lane...which he said was a good deer 150's...did not have great mass and looked to be a younger deer..not fully mature...He watched the 8 point go into the Bush...about 10 minutes later another deer...which he thought was the same 8 point came out in the same spot...He immediately grabed his video camera and started filming...That deer came out 50 yds from him and he has the deer on film walking down that cut lane....Any way, I am watching the video with him and another friend...and I am looking at a Monster walk down the cut lane turn broad side to go into the timber...By the time my friend put down actually threw down the camera... to grab his rifle but the deer was gone....I did not have the heart to tell him anything but that was a big deer...my other friend was "speechless"...my friends brother walks into the room and sees the video and says to his brother "what the hell did you come up here for...that is a net book deer you fool! That is what you came up here for...We showed the Video to the Outfitter who has seen many hunter and taken on his own several book deer...At the end of all that we all came to the same conclusion that he passed on a net 180+ deer...a hugh typical 10 with it all...mass, beams, tine length, etc...My friend now has nightmares about that deer and we all think about it...weekly...at least!

When we returned home we saw the rest of his videos...We think we passed on two other deer that would have made book! and the bigest one..he says...he never got video on...amazing!

I did get to see two book deer a local took up there that were locked up...he shot both of them...the smallest "rack" was a hugh 10 point the guide and I roughly scored in the high 170's the other was a non typical that was amazing we both roughly scored in the 220+ range.

Yes, I am going back with my friends this year...but it is the most grueling hunt sitting up in those stands and not seeing very much...but the chance to take a truely magnificant whitetail is what brings us back...I am willing to invest 5 years up there to get one...In my opinion...given that area the chances of taking a 150 class is in the 70-80 percent range...if you know what you are looking at and are with an Outfitter who knows what he is doing...but that is not what I am after...I am looking for what they call up there a real "cranker" and hopefully I will have a chance at one this year!

It's probably the best area in Alberta for both Mule Deer and Whitetail. The area boasts agricultural and bush. The peace river valley is very majestic, it'sa long way form the mountains. If just whitetail is your bag, the Lac La Biche/ Cold lake area is excellent as well. I hunt the lac la biche area as a resident, but if I had my choice it would be the GRande Prairie/ peace river country.

that area is on my list, but not that outfitter. he was on probation from the alberta pro hunter society.

Alberta White Tails are surprisingly large in body and rack,
and the country is simply enormous!

What more can I say? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Catnthehat

Cat,
Are the local hunters staying in stands all day? Do you guys sometimes put together a deer push or some other tactics?

I noticed in the Alberta regulations a photo of a contest winning whitetail taken norhtwest of Edmonton. From Edmonton, where is the best Alberta whitetail hunting?
Boreal, Agricultural fringe, eastern prairie?

Agree with you totally! The areas my friends and I hunted in were 509, 511, and 516 in think? Where is that in relation to the areas you hunt?

While we hunted mostly from stands a couple of days in 509 section we over looked some fields early in the morning to break up the day. I think we are going to hunt 511 or 509 this comming year, not sure yet. The Outfitter we hunt with is Ron Nemecheck (I think that is correct spelling) North River Outfitters. Ron is a great guy..to the point..with a good dry sense of humor....seems to have a good reputation.

There are no guarantees with any true hunting experience, however, based upon what my friends and I saw your chance of taking a 150 are 70% or so....I passed a couple of good 160's up and did not kill a deer...but I am after one of those "cranckers"....a 170+ gross....

Most of the "big deer" activity we saw was from 9:00 a.m. until about 2:00 p.m. and if we wanted to move the Outfitter and Guides were more than willing to do what we asked.

While it is cold up there with today's equipment that is not a problem (the stands had smaller heaters as well)...It is after a couple of days (when you are so use to seeing alot of deer, as in the South where I hunt) it can get to you....however I know of no other place where I would prefer to go to hunt "hugh Whitetails". They are there!

Some of those cut lines are very narrow and that adds to the difficulty as you are trying to see deer as they are moving. I had a couple of large deer cut across the lanes so fast that there is no way I could have judged them and shot...but they were hugh body and had great mass...I think this year if I see great mass, in similar environment I am going to shoot the S.O.B and not worry about it...Also be prepared to take a long shot ....the cut lanes, clear cuts, and fields can present long-range opportunities. I saw one hugh "Monster" at 500 yards (by range finder)...this deer was what I was after...by the time I new the "holdover" the deer was gone. Yes, I would have shot at him and given the rest I had...I believe I could have taken him....This is one of the reasons I use a 30-378 or 338-378 wby's up there....I changed the scopes on those two rifles to Swarovski TDS PH 4-16x50mm and have them calibrated out to extreme ranges ...I no longer have to judge hold over ....will just use range finder to mark yardages before hand while in the stand....We have been shooting long range over this year to prepare for hunting up there....It has greatly improve our confidence it shooting long range 300 to 500 yards....however...I hope my shot is less...JJS

Yep, I just bought a VXIII with the B&C reticles similar to the TDS. To me, using the horizontals is so much quicker than dialing a turret and keeping track of clicking and maybe needing to take your eyes off of the deer etc. Big bucks are restless active critters even when browsing.
But bullet drop is not my biggest problem. Right now I am trying to develop a load that will shoot tight groups consistently way out. My 1"@ 100 yard groups have grown to about 7" to 8" @ 400 yards. So that is about my limit maybe 450.
I had a conversation with a gunsmith who said he had hunted all of his life without ever needing to shoot at something beyond 300 yards.
But it is where, what, and how your hunting that brings in the demands.
When your up in a stand, you can't hunt closer, there is no way a buck would not detect you trying to get down out of one of those things.
I bet if the same gunsmith I was talking with was stuck in a stand, and saw a massive Alberta 170+ whitetail at 450, he would either be kicking himself for not preparing, or making a big guessing shot! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yea, you are right on! I spent a good bit of time January through March upgrading my reloading equipment, dies, processes, etc as well as testing components to develop a very consistent load working with four different rifles.

We tested loads initially at 100 yds when we were getting sub 1/2 moa (3 shot groups) we started testing out to 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 yards. What has worked for us has been Barnes TSX 168 grain, Retumbo, Fed. Match Grade Primers with very consistent assembled rounds ie wt, runout, etc. We have had some great results with sub moa out 700yds. I shot a three shot group at 700 yds that was approx. 3.5".

We put the big guns up for the year and have taken up shooting "F" class with 308 win. .... Bought two of the Remington 700SS 5R mil spec barrels...They are amazingly accurate rifles out of the box....much easier and cheaper to shoot than the big stuff!

What are you shooting?

I am tinkering around with a , 6.5/06 (the most accurate at longer ranges at this time), a .270Win & .270WSM.
The 6.5/06 is a carry rifle I am taking on a Mule Deer hunt west of Cody Wyo. in November.
Alberta will probably have to be in 2005. The .270WSM is a 26" barrel that I have worked with the least. But it would probably be the best candidate for Alberta with some load work.

Trophy wise the best area for whitetails and mules would probably be the Wainright ,Hardisty area which is southeast of Edmonton in the agricultural area.Hunting from treestands is done by a few locals but many locals use other methods such as pushing bush or sitting on the ground at the edges of fields so they can move quickly to stalk deer that have been spotted.

Sounds like a good tip. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good luck on your Mule Deer hunt!..sounds like a great trip... I will be up Alberta the third week of November as well.....I am so looking forward to it...even though I know I will have to deal with the "challenge" of sitting up in those stands...However, it is all worth...the country is magnificant ...Get a chance to see Moose, Elk, Wolves, and hopefully a 170+class or better Whitetail!....I know my friends are starting to get the fever as well....

When you go...and I think every serious Whitetail hunter should go up there...take the biggest and flatest shooting rifle you shoot accurately...Because you may get a long shot or a less than perfect angle to shoot.

The "Bush" up there is amazingly vast amouts of Timber....I had never seen "Dark/Black Timber" before but that area certainly has it....The deer up there probably do not see many hunters..At least that was my impression based upon the little reaction to my presence in the area...They may be more concerned about the Wolves up there....

Anyway, sounds like you are one to do your research before going somewhere....I do as well....if I can help you let me know...JJS

Are you from up in that area? or do you go to hunt there?

The Outfitter we go with has camps in farm country and bush...They take some big boys out of both areas....however...based on what I have seen out of the camps over the last few years and talking with the Guides and Outfitter the Bush seems the place to be?...Thanks JJS

JJS,
I have not looked into it as much as I need to yet, but it sort of makes sense that the bush may be better for a non resident alien. Probably few locals hire outfitters for themselves. But since we have a greater need to, the outfitters have the ways and means to get us far into the remote areas.

From what you were saying about your long range groups, you could give a tip on your case preparation. You mentioned runout, I probably need to get a concentricity guage, what else did you do for those results?
I am looking forward to my Mule Deer hunt also. I will be hunting the last 5 days of the season. Maybe I will benefit from the rut. The outfitter I will be with is Dean Johnson, he took over the business from Les Bowman, the outfitter whose area was often written about by Jack O'Connor.

For Whitetail it almost doesn't matter which direction you go from Edmonton. If you go towards the mountains, or northwest you get Elk and Muledeer, south and southeast you get Mulies, Northeast you get moose. The hunting is different here, very few locals own and use tree stands, our version of a tree stand is sitting on Cutlines or the edges of fields. That way if you spot something you can move. Some guys use drives, but less formal than an eastern deer drive, because the area's involved are too big, A guy will wlk down a cutline to a corner and then come back through the bush upwind and sometimes bump out a deer. The biggest factor that changes tactics from the east is the amount of space, lots of space, not that many hunters and relatively low deer density compared to more southern climates. We generally find an area that has lots of deer and sit and watch travel points. Shots can sometimes be longish, but most of the time less than 200 yards. The guys I hunt with use 2x30-06, 270,280,and 7mm mag, with the highest magnification scope being 4x12. No need for 30-378 or the like.

In the preliminary stages, two of the Alberta Whitetail outfitters have caught my interest.

One of them hunts in the northeastern part of the province about a 2 1/2 hour drive NE of Edmonton. He hunts northern agricultural, fringe ranch country and river basins. I noticed some woods in the photos.

The other hunts in (Parklands Region) about a 2 hour drive SE of Edmonton in Battle River Basin. From the photos it seems to be mostly treeless rolling plain.

Does either seem a better prospective region to the forum?

I live in the northern bush but I have hunted the agricultural areas of both alberta and saskatchewan for over 30 years.You will find big bucks in both the bush and agricultural areas but I see many more of them in the agricultural areas.



The Battle River basin is a great place to hunt both whitetails and mules.It runs right through the area that I described earlier.The deer live in the cover along the rivers and coulees and feed in the fields.

I hunt whenever and wherever I can in Alberta, I have no favorite area , but lots that I prefer.
Most anywhere throughout the Province you can find good places, with the central being primo, as stubblejumper, explained.

I don't use treestands too often, but the ones I do use are maintained by a freind on his land.

I prefer to spot and stalk, or rattle and call, being my main way.

When on the wainwright BP draw, we usually do a controlled push in the afternoons, and pick a spot to stand in the evenings.

Anyway you look at it, the hunting is great, and you will never get a clear answer from anyone of which caliber or rifle is best! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I use medium sized calibers (7x57, 308, 6.5X55, 6.5/284, etc)

But have a few big ones also,( .58 cal Hawken, 6.5WSM, 45/110 Sharps, etc.), and love 'em all, but don't feel handicapped by any of them.
Also long bow <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

catnthehat

Both of those areas would be a great place to hunt. It sounds like the first guy is in the valleyview/whietcourt are which is good and the Battle river are is also great. never hunted either one, but no people who do and they usually come home happy.

I attempted to send you a PM...so as not to take up space here...but was advised that you do not accept PM's...anyway

Some of the case prep I go through:

1) sort cases by weight (use only same lot bullets, cases, primers, powder,etc)and separate so all of a given lot is within 1% of total wt of case...however for my tactical rifles it is ususally much less...I am using Lapua Brass for that application and their product is great...I use Norma for other stuff and Winchester is third choice.
2) I deburr flash holes and uniform primer pockets, even on the Lapua stuff...I use Sinclair tools for these operations
3) After sizing (and I full length resize all my stuff, even Virgin Brass) I spot check neck thickness and runout on cases.
I switched out most of my RCBS stuff (and it is pretty good stuff, do not mean to say otherwise) to Forster...Forster's Press is a great product and reduced my runout and I believe improved my results on the range by significant amout. I also now only use Forster's Ultra Die Sets.
4) I always trimm my cases to minimum including Virgin Brass and every time I load/reload....I think it just makes them more consistent and that is what I am after
5) I chamfer and deburr case mouths...I use a VLD tool as it make reloading more smoothly for the TSX I use.
6) I dispense the charge with Pact Dispenser and scale set-up to get close...while I am dispensing another charge/case...I check weight on an RCBS 10-10 and trickle charge to final wt. this works pretty well for me.
7) Check runout on loaded round and I weigh the loaded rounds as well...most of my stuff is Varmint or Match Grade in terms of runout, consistency, etc... however, I have seen some runout on my 308 win. (for tactical rifles) that I was trying to decide if I would even use the stuff...the runout was much higher than I was use to seeing...anyway shot the stuff and was amazed....the best group I shot that day, at 100 yds, 5 shots .190"! All the groups were less than .250"....so go figure...I blamed the rifle, it is a Remington 700SS with 5R barrel...those little rifles really shoot...I was so impressed with it I went straight from the range to buy another one!
7) Went through extensive component selection finally narrowed down to 168 Barnes TSX, Federal Match Grade Primers, Retumbo (I like powders which are the least sensitive to temp. variations), and either Lapua, Norma, or Winchester Brass for me anyway.

I think I covered the big stuff ...probably left some stuff out...I hope this helps you...Good Luck...JJS

I meant to give you this Web Site to check out ....buckinghammint.com...see North River Outfitters section....Good luck...JJS

JJS,
It looks like I'll be adding another hunting camp to my short list of prospects. They are showing some brute bucks. It appears their west camp stays booked up full, it must be really good.

When I started up with the forum, we were getting spammed a lot and even a few viruses, it would look like a client with some regular first and last name. Open it and it was porno or a virus. So thats why I marked no in the pm box.
Thanks for so may tips on case preparation! I suspected you were doing a lot more than just normal reloading, and you are. But I guess thats part of why you are shooting sub MOA at the longer distances.

The West Camp is a new camp for 2004...It is also a smaller camp (I believe it is 4 hunters)...

The North and South Camps are based next to Ron's house that is where we hunted out of last year ...in the Northern Part 509 and 516... In speaking with Ron he decided to consolidated some tags by trading with another Outfitter...so I think he will not longer have tags in 516 but more in 511 and 509 we are trying to decided which of those two area to hunt in...These areas/sections are Bush with 509 having some Agriculture....

To get some idea of the size of those deer in the pictures (and granted they are some of the best he takes each year)..The one in the middle picture in 2002 gross scored 206-208 or something like that and netted low 190's...I was told that deer weighed over 400lbs...

If I remember correctly, I think Ron told me they took more than a dozen deer that grossed over 170...not sure of number and more than half of those scored over 180 gross...

The East Camp is all Bush from what I understand...Good luck...If there is anything I can help you with let me know...JJS

JJS,
If your going to be hunting the week of Thanksgiving 2004, you will be in a full bright moon phase. That's something I usually try to avoid if possible.
But of course you will have the rut going for you, and the snow illuminates even dark nights. Maybe it doesn't matter.

Does the full moon have any effect on seeing bucks during the day in Alberta, during the rut?

Actually, the days we are hunting Nov. 15 -20th, the week before Thanksgiving. As to the moon affect, I would guess you are correct, however, last year was the first year hunting up there so I have no real basis to make judgement as to the moons effect on deer up there.

Last year we went what would be the week before...I spoke with some of the more experienced guides and other hunters that had a more experience up there and settled on going the week noted above. With hunting, as with most things in life, being at the right place at the right time, counts for a bunch....I just do not know exactly when or where that will be...I wish I did....All I know about it...at this stage...is some of the biggest, if not the biggest, Whitetail Deer are up in Alberta. I like to hunt and enjoy "getting away" to do it...thats why I will be going back to Alberta.

What other Outfitter are you looking at up there?

The other outfitters that caught my eye so far were Big White Outfitters, and Bucksnbears Outfitters.

I had to have knee surgery last month and my co-pay portion has gobbled up about the amount of money an Alberta outfitter would have charged. But that is why I am putting off an Alberta trip for another year or two.
I am doing physical therapy trying to get into condition for the Wyoming trip that was already booked. We will be riding horses so that is a big help. And I love hunting mulies from horseback. But I am restless for a really decent whitetail.
Good luck with your hunt, I misunderstood you were going the week after. It looks like you picked the week I would have chosen. I remember reading a guy had gone the last week in November, and he thought most of the rut seemed to be over. I think whitetails rut a few weeks earlier than mulies.

That area is right around Athabasca Alberta. It's right in between the two area we previously described, lots of deer including a great big brute I see just about everytime I drive To Edmonton, his location however is a secret (haha) except to say that 509 and 511 is a great area as well for Whitetail.
That week is also I thnk just about perfect, be prepared for cold weather, if you are from down south. Bring hand warmers and foot warmers. last year we hunted the week of 11th-15th and the weather was great, but two of the guys still had doe tags and went back the following weekend and it was -35 plus the wind.

This has been a very helpful thread with you and the other Canadians weighing in with your insights and experiences.
It is sort of like guessing in the dark trying to choose an outfitter for a trip there, but it is a big help to at least know the outfitter's area is an area where locals might also consider as a good place to try our luck.

I personally like the third and fourth week of november as the rut seems to be in full swing most years.

Martinbns, Stubblejumper, Straydog:

Enjoyed the discussion and the local knowledge about the area is appreciated and confirms my impressions from last year.

Last year I was very prepared for the weather "cold",etc...In fact I brought much that I did not need...So will scale back but have enough to deal with it, as suggested.

Stubblejumper, the Guides and Outfitters up there I spoke with while in camp and the feedback I got after being back, it seems to me you are right on as far as the time to go up there (3rd or 4th week of Nov.)...all but one of the largest deer were killed (in those camps) the last two weeks.

The one that I know of that was killed the second week (when I was up there, last year) that grossed over 170+ was killed by one of the Realtree hunters (the Baseball Manager)...just do not remember his name right now....That may have been the biggest deer the Realtree folks killed last year....It was posted on their Web Site and I am sure will be "promoted" in the Video that comes out this year and their shows. David Blantons Buck from Canada in 2002, I think it gross scored in high 160's was featured last year...and the Realtree folks have hunted Ron's camps for the past few years...I think they go the 2nd week each year....thats another reason why I would rather go the 3rd week...

So, Martinbns and Stubblejumper what part would you choose 509, 511, or 510? Would appreciate you feedback...Thanks again, JJS

As far as the two outfitters you mentioned, I have heard the names before but that is all....

Good luck on your recovery...JJS

All would be great, if I had to pick (and I have never hunted any of them), probably the northern part of 509. near wher the farm country ends and the bush starts. That way you get the best of both worlds. You really can't go wrong with any of those areas with someone who knows what they are doing and where they are going.
Good Luck
Let us know how it goes.
Martin

what part of mississippi you in. i'm next door in alabama's black belt. we had a sorry year last year. got one 12 point scored 146, but that's the only good buck i saw

To be honest I would not pay for an outfitted hunt in any of the 500 series zones.I would be looking for a hunt farther south in the 200 series of zones.If I absolutely had to hunt in a 500 zone it would be as far south as possible.

Stubblejumper has been hunting this area a lot longer than I have, so he probably is better able to provide advise. In hunting Illustrated magazine last year, a writer from Alberta picked the Lac La biche area best in AB, but I see the Athabasca area as being just as good.

JJS



I was just up visiting Ron this Spring and have been up for two (2) whitetail hunts in previous years. He is an interesting character and offers good hunts and accomodations. I was up that way hunting black bear near Ft McMurray (nearly due west of town in the muskeg).



A bunch of my local friends have been up there in the last few years, East Camp last year and South Camp the year before. They all did well except for the new guys when they panic at the sight of their first "big" deer and shoot a smaller sample.



I have a bunch of scanned in pictures from last years hunt, they are better quality than the one posted at Buckingham Mint site if you're interested.



Here's a link to a map site I can across. It's Canadian topo/ortho type stuff.



http://toporama.cits.nrcan.gc.ca/toporama_en.html

You won't go wrong hunting with a outfitter in the 500 areas.

For a non resident, a good outfitter will make or break the hunt in these areas especially.

509 has some huge deer.

Catnthehat

Actually live around Memphis, TN ....We hunt Whitetails in the Mississippi Delta....It is a good area to hunt relatively speaking...there are many deer..just the quality... (like Alabama or for that matter much of the south) does not contain the "Crackers" like that have in Alberta...or at least they a few and far between....

Your deer (146) is a great deer for this area!

To all our Canadian friends, who provided assistance here....Thanks for you input, it is very much appreciated!

Dave, most definately interested in your pictures, if your could post here or provide which ever way is better for you...

Last year was the first year up there....Not sure if you saw one of my first post here... that explains the problems one of my good friends had up there last year?

Are you going back this year? if so ...what camp and when?

Good luck...JJS

I'll try to find a way to get a few of the pictures posted here.

I don't know for sure if I can make it up to Ron's for deer this Fall, I may head up there just to visit.

I'll try attaching a picture with Aaron and one deer to see how it goes.

Ron mentioned a situation last year where a fella that couldn't hear well had a set of bucks fighting just out of view. Story goes on that another fella had been listening to the fighting for a long while eventually came over and shot a deer. Could be the same deer you mention in your first post.

Look forward to seeing your pictures.

I think the situation Ron spoke about with you concerns my other friend. On a Wednesday...and it was a very slow day I saw two does and a couple of Moose that day....I called my friend on the radio around noon....He said that a hugh deer had crossed the cut lane a few minutes before that was massive but it was already through the lane and out of sight before he could pull up his rifle....

At the end of that day...the guide picks me up first and says he just saw two deer...that were "locked up" ....killed by a local...Those are the two deer I spoke about in my prior post..which you may have been referring to....The guide tells me those deer were only a couple hundred yards from my friends position that day....and he did not hear the deer...The local on a 4 wheeler heard them as he drove down a "road/cut"...I think my friend already bought one of those game ear things...he does have some hearing problems..but not that bad! May be he fell asleep...he is prone to that....

Well may be you will get a chance to go back this year...if so, let me know....Good luck...JJS

As an Alberta one word about this deer "WOW". where was this camp again?

Congrats on your massive whitetail! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thats the sort of mass I dream about and associate with the great northern bucks. If I ever got one similar, I might stop hunting deer and spend time on other game. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The picture is not of a deer I took, it's of one of the guides (Aaron) and a clients deer. I posted it at the request of JJS as I mentioned to him I had some picture from last years (2003) take for the area he hunts.



I have several others, I'll attach another to this post.



I'm not sure where these specific deer were taken. Conklin to Calling lake to down by Collington?? Basically south and/or south west of your Ft McMurray position.

There certainly are some nice deer up there and I've seen some monsters taken by hunters while I was there. I have a 147 eight (8) point and am now holding for a 170 class or better while up there. Last time I was up there a fella hunting the same area I hunted took a 203" (or very close to 203), I believe it's been in some magazine articles.

Here's one of Ron, Cooper and another deer.

These are all great deer, pretty much anywhere in any of the area's we have described so far you can find deer this big. You got to work to find them, but they exist in just about every part of Alberta. I missed a buck that would have fit in on this page about 120 Km (75 miles) north of fort mcMurray last year. Who would ever think that Whitetail deer would be common that far north. That's about 500 km north of Athatbasca.

Yeah, I'm suprised to hear about a Whitetail that far north. I asked the guides this Spring about hunting whitetail on the cutlines there in Ft McMurray and was told there were a few whitetails but not many up that far. (Lots of bears and moose though I guess.)

I guess deer are where you find them and monsters exist all over but I believe there are more than average up your way. We have lots of deer hear and every once in a while a Booner will be taken but not like up there.

Dave: Thanks for posting the pictures...I had seen at least one of those in the mailing Sue sent out to the the folks that hunt with Ron...however, your pictures are much better!

I wish I had a picture of those two deer lock up....They were both "Crackers", however, the non-typical was truely massive...As I said, Travis (my guide) and I roughly grossed scored that thing at 220+ and that deer was all of that and possibly more...I guess my one regret (other than my friend hearing those deer and getting a shot at them) was I should have offered to buy the racks...I imagine they could have been purchased...

Even though I know I will be facing the fact that I will have to deal with sitting up in those stands for all week....I am ready to go now!! I wish it was possible to take two deer up there...I would gladly pay the price....so I could get one out of the way and take the pressure off...then I could bust one of those 160's and wait for a "Cracker"....

Last year after the week was over, we were all so ready to get home...but after a week or so we were all ready to go back! I hope you can make it back this year...may be we will get a chance to meet! I love chasing after big Whitetails...and to me Alberta is the place to do it...and from what I have experienced about Ron and his operation it would be difficult to go anywhere else.

Check out this web site... buckinghammint.com and look under North River Outfitter...I believe it gives the camp locations and areas.... The West Camp is a new area from what I understand....Also, I understand Ron consolidated tags with another Outfitter, so he will no longer have any 516...but more in 509 and/or 511, it think...

The North/South Camp is one camp...with hunters going different directions ...North or South from the main camp...The East Camp is separate as well as what I understand to be the West Camp...

If you think the deer in the pictures are big...you should see what Ron has pictures of in the camps...Good luck to all...and I guess you can see why I said every serious Whitetail hunter at some point should give Canada a try...JJS

Martin,
About when is the peak of the whitetail rut activities in Alberta?

Lots of bears but moose populations are not that dense in the north central or north east parts of the province.The best areas for moose are in the peace country and in some of the agricultural areas farther south.

The last two weeks of november are traditionally the best for peak rut activity in both alberta and saskatchewan.

You see White tails do some REALLY strange stuff the last two weeks of November, for sure. Like running down the center of a highway, ramming Buck decoys, and whatever.

November is my favorite time to hunt, if I had to pick one...

Catnthehat

I met a group of bear hunters this spring in Marks Work Wearhouse (casual clothing store)here in Fort Mcmurray. I can't remember if they said they were fro Alabama or Texas, that wasn't you guys was it?
Last fall when we were moose hunting north of McMurray we were amazed by all the deer sign, it was October and we had had a fresh snow and the bucks had been out freshening scrapes all night, hundreds of scrapes through all the clearcuts.

The best is the last two weeks, but it's hard to wait that long.

MartinBNS

In town??? No, not me. I avoid the city when I'm up that way (and in other "remote" places as well), I typically go for the hunt and wilderness. I believe we were in very north of 518 or southern 531. If I recall correctly we traveled west on a high grade road north of Ft McMurray but before MacKay, crossed the MacKay (?) river and staged the trucks not far past the river. There's a trapper living (seasonal I guess) 3k down the cut line, Zachary Flowers I believe his name is. In base camp we could hear the sounds of the heavy equipment at a local quarry.

We did have two fellas in our camp that made trips into town. I'm not sure if they were really/actually ill (as claimed) or after the scenery at the "peeler" bar(s).

I didn't see any deer sign there but did see signs of moose, bear, wolf, coyote, beaver and those squirrels.

I get up that way fairly often for visiting and hunting. I should head back this fall for moose and deer but I'm running short on leave and have a Colorado elk hunt that can't be postponed. Down by Lac LaBiche (?) a few years back we came across a pile of whitetail sheds and two winter kill bucks, I have a picture of the one winter kill maybe I can post it, it's about 160 or so.

Dave,

I trapped at Clausen's Landing for a time, about 18 miles past Ft. Mackay on the same side of the river.

There are a number of fellas up there , and a few of them very good friends of mine.

You were listening to machinery from the Syncrude and Albion Sands Tarsands operations.
I get very depressed when I think that My beloved Leggitt creek area is now almost gone. At one time therewas no road that far north, except in the winter, and I am partially resonsible for thatm having worked consruction for the past 30 years up here.

Oh, well, that is the problem with us humans, I guess!

Catnthehat

If you come back up this way make sure to PM me, we have to go out for a beer (a great canadian beer).

Dave, Many of the trappers up here live there year 'round, but I don't think Zack does. Jeryy Rochon lived at Clausen's for years , but is in town now, and only goes out for a short time as he is not well, these days.

Arne Ermannson, still lives year 'round farther down river, as do a few more, but it is not like it used to be.

They was shinin' times, for sure!

My Brother still lives full time on his line, but he is close to town and drives in to catch a bus to work everyday.

Time was a trapper could make a good living up here, now you are lucky to make the snowmobile gas for the year! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It has turned into more of a hobby for most....

Catnthehat

Guys....listen to stubblejumper....he doesn't say much or "BS".....but what he says is usually dead on

stubblejumper,
If I am understanding the whole picture, we would be most likely to bag a good buck in the 200 series of areas in central eastern Alberta?
But the style of heavy massed antlers are more likely in the 500 series but not as plentiful and more likely to strike out with nothing?
Of the northern areas which would be best between 509 or 512?

In my opinion the chances of killing a buck with huge antlers of any kind including heavy mass would be higher in the 200 zones.They do exist in the 500 zones but are much less plentiful.If I absolutely had to hunt in the 500's it would be in 509.

The 200's are where the really big bucks hang out, for sure.

Catnthehat

509 for sure, all of 512 is public land and you might run into me. I don;t think there would be many guides operating camps in 512.

From a non residents eye, we have to pays our money so far in advance, and a warm spell of weather could ruin the last couple of weeks of November!
Thats the only reservation I have about the central zones. But I guess the same thing could happen in the Boreal as well.

But one thing is for sure, we just can't ignore all of you locals saying the 200's is where to be. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The climate in the 200's is not really much different from that in the 500's.A warm spell can slow things down dramatically in either zone.

I was going to try to order a couple of the realtree hunting videos taken in these areas. Does anyone know which vol., etc. these would be?

The Realtree folks hunt with Northriver Outfitters, Ron Nemecheck...That is the outfit I gave you the information on
www.buckinghammint.com ...In 2001 which would be the video that came out in 2002...one of their guys took a good 160 ish deer...he is on the 2001 photos on the site. In 2002, David Blanton took a 169 gross score that is on last years 2003 Realtree Video and the picture of David and his deer is posted on the site in the 2002 pictures. The Baseball manager, I forgot his name, may be Ned Yost...took a gross 170+ deer..the picture of his deer was posted on this tread...it is the smallest deer of the three attached pictures...That deer should be on this years Video...

While I was up there last year..out of 16 hunters...all but two took deer, me and another fellow...we both could have shot at least 150's and in my case a couple of 160's...but both of us were looking for a "cranker"....Based on what I have seen (one years experience) and researched Northriver, Ron Nemecheck runs a very good operation...and if you would "settle" for a 150 your odds are very high, at least in 509 where I hunted and will hunt again this year..

I think the third or fourth week is the best...I believe they may have a couple spots open the third week...when I go..if you call Sue...on the 800....If you want I can give you Ron's number to call ....to ask about what their operation is like, etc.

Good luck, JJS

JJS, I have North Rivers website, I just can't get enough time this year 2004. Already have tags and deposits paid etc. for November in Wyoming.

Thanks for the video information.

Did you hunt on any public land, or is it mostly private? I was just wandering if outfitters put up those big heated tower stands on public property?



Also, when you and your pards were hunting with Ron were you seeing people from other hunting parties etc.?

If hunting public land in those areas, would there really be a crowd?

Most of what Ron hunts and I believe most Outfitter up there hunt...is "Crown" Land..public...Did not see any other folks hunting with other Outfitters while hunting...From what I understand most of these Outfitters try to consolidate tags in areas to more or less have all the tags. However, because you are hunting public land ...some of the guys did see locals hunting...there was a Holiday (I think it was a Wednesday) when we were up there and I saw one local guy while hunting...He was the guy that killed the two "crankers"...not far from where my friend was hunting...I spoke about in one my post....Some guys did not see any people...others saw more than I did...For the most part there is little trouble between locals and the Outfitters (that I hear about) I think most folks up there get along...however, one of the guides did have a tower stolen the week before we got up there....

I am looking forward to heading up there in November...bought plane tickets last week! Good luck to you, if I can help you let me know...JJS

JJS,
Good luck to you too! May we have monster deer decide they prefer a merciful death by walking in front of our guns, rather than slowly fading in a cold winter brrr...

Most of the time, locals as we are called in alberta tend to take a few days off work but mostly hunt weekends. Our season in 512 as an example is 3 mths long. Guides do not have the ability to "corner all the tags for a zone", the zones are too big and whitetail isn't on a draw in any of the areas you have asked about. It is quite possible that the outfitter may put up stands on Crown land, but they have no exclusive rights to hunt any of it. Any "local Alberta" can hunt any crown land in the province. Before you get excited about this, Alberta is about the same size as any two midwestern states and we only have about 80,000 hunters. You will have a good hunt regardless of Crown or private. I routinely go on my quad for a day of Bird hunting and will see 1-2 people.

martinbns:

I hope I did not offend you or any other Canadian by the use of the term "local"...I certainly did not mean to do so! The Canadians I met on my trip were all fantasic people, very nice and helpful!

Yes, you are correct the country is "huge" and amazing! even to someone like me, who was impressed on a first visit. Alberta is an amazing place!

JJS, Marten is a manager, so would not even flinch at something like that , but I don't think it was taken as an offense, anyway.

Enjoy your hunt and please, PM me when you are up this way...

Catnthehat

Actually the way I see it,there are actually three different kinds of locals.The first is the people that actually live right in the hunting area.They often carry a rifle with them whenever travelling around and many of their "hunts" are often an hour or two whenever they can spare the time.Over the course of the season though,this does add up to a considerable amount of hunting.

The second type are the people that Martin refers to that often have to travel a bit to access the hunting area.They hunt weekends with a few days off now and then.

The third type is the fellow that has to travel a bit but takes off an entire week or more to do their hunting.

While the last two types of locals do not actually live in the hunting area,I do call them locals because they spend a considerable time in the area on a regular basis and are familiar with the area and the game.I don't believe any of the three would consider being called a local as offensive.I myself am in the third group.

Stubblejumper......would you "host hunt" me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />:....just kidding as i have one for this year <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

oldguns-I will doing most of my whitetail hunting over in saskatchewan with my father this year.I will however try to manage a week or so in alberta.

Wasn't the least bit offended, I generally meet other hunters and we have a little chat and then move on, I am part of groups 2 and 3 STUBBLEJUMPER described. My work won't let me take two weks off to hunt, but I start making day trips into the area I will be hunting in November around Sept 1st, I probaly end up hunting about 15 days total including days around here locally with my shotgun. If I run into you You can recognize me by my old beat up 3006 and the stupid grin on my face for being out around in the fall and not being stucl in my office. good luck this fall and I hope you have a grewat hunt.
Martin