THA eMagazine

The Official Magazine of HuntAlberta.ca

The Official Magazine of HuntAlberta.ca

Inside This Issue 2. Welcome to Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 3. FAQs with Bill Miller 4. Mule Deer 9. Moose 12. Whitetail 16. Elk 19. Wolf & Coyote 22. Feature Article - Buck Fever 27. Map of Alberta 28. Cover Article – Brock Lesnar Taps out Whitetail 31. Moon and Sunset Tables 32. Feature Article – Mule Deer Heaven

Buck Fever

22 pg

HuntAlberta.ca & Mantix Media Group Ltd. General Inquiries: info@huntalberta.ca Advertising: ads@huntalberta.ca Website: www.huntalberta.ca

Brock Lesnar

TAPS OUT WHITETAIL

Brock Lesnar, the “baddest man on the planet,” took southern Alberta by storm at the tail end of 2010. He bagged two trophy deer in less than four days - a Muley and a Whitetail.

The first was, in Brock’s words, “...a respectable, male deer buck”. The latter won Largest Whitetail in the province—nearly taking Brock’s arm off in the process.

Mule Deer Heaven

32 pg

29 pg

Disclaimer: HuntAlberta.ca and Mantix Media Group Ltd. provide the content for Alberta’s Professional Outfitter and we strive to provide accurate information. The articles and advertisers have not been endorsed by either party and therefore neither Mantix Media Group Ltd. or HuntAlberta.ca will be held responsible for the ultimate quality of the services and/or products contained in this publication. Please do your own due diligence before buying the services and/or products. There are no guarantees of your satisfaction with the services and/or products advertised herein. We welcome your feedback!

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 1

Welcome to Alberta Alberta’s Professional Outfitter magazine provides details on the variety of hunt opportunities throughout our bountiful province. We also include several hunting articles that offer the personal story of individual hunters. Additional information such as FAQs, Maps and Moon & Sunset Tables are provided to assist hunters with preparation of their next hunt.

Alberta offers some of the best archery and rifle hunts for non-residents. We are the destination of choice for thousands of hunters worldwide. Alberta has dominance throughout the record books and continues to harvest quality game year after year.

Our province offers a variety of big game, predominantly Mule Deer, Moose, Whitetail and Elk. Alberta is known for our quantity and quality of big game. From first-time to experienced hunters, our Outfitters strive to obtain your next trophy animal.

Many hunters choose combination hunts to take advantage of the diversity of wildlife unique to our province. There is no other province or state that compares with our selection of game and varied terrain. This makes Alberta the primary hunting destination for fellow Canadians, Americans and big game hunters from around the world.

Non-resident hunters are required to be accompanied by a licensed guide obtained through a professional Outfitter. Each Outfitter has allocations in particular Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). The province is divided into 178 WMUs. There are five regions: Prairie (100s) – 30 WMUs, Parkland (200s) – 35 WMUs, Foothills (300s) – 42 WMUs, Mountain (400s) – 29 WMUs and Boreal (500s) – 42 WMUs. Each WMU offers a variety of opportunities as the terrain and habitat change dramatically throughout the province.

2 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Alberta is unique with our “guaranteed tag” system. This allows many of hunters to return annually without the concern of obtaining licenses through a lottery or complicated draw system.

If you are planning your first trip or are returning to our province, we offer contact details for “Certified” Outfitters.

We ensure that all Outfitters listed in this magazine are fully licensed, bonded and insured. We represent the best Outfitters in the province.

FAQs with Bill Miller North American Hunting Club’s Executive Producer, Bill Miller offers his personal advice on hunting big game in Alberta.

Fitness Counts

Paperwork

Optics for Big Country

Joys of Horseback Hunting

New Passport Regulations

Hunting Rig For Big Mulie Bucks

NAHC’s Bill Miller always heard of this region of Alberta called the Porcupine Hills. The term “small mountains” would be a lot more accurate. And the unexpected terrain drives home the importance, once again, of getting into shape going into hunting season!

As long as the riding doesn’t catch you by surprise, horseback is a great way to cover ground and get close to game when you’re hunting big country like Alberta’s Porcupine Hills. NAHC’s Executive Director Bill Miller shares some tips on prepping yourself and your gear for your next mounted hunting adventure.

Licenses, itineraries, airline tickets, gun permits and more! Seems like there’s more paperwork required every single time we want to go hunting. NAHC’s Bill Miller has traveled the world for years and offers some sage advice on managing and organizing the unavoidable paperwork!

Seems like the regulations about hunters leaving and getting back in the United States change every week. NAHC’s Bill Miller contends it’s best to error on the side of “over compliance” rather than getting stuck outside the good ol’ USA.

This mule deer hunt with Trophy Hunters Alberta turns out to be one of the most optics intensive hunts NAHC’s Bill Miller has ever faced. See what gear he chose in preparation to see everything!

In Alberta’s Porcupine Hills with Trophy Hunters Alberta you’re after big mule deer bucks, and the shots could come at maximum ranges. That combination of probabilities has Bill Miller thinking it’s time to pack along a .300 Mag., premium ammo and good optics.

Source: www.huntingclub.com/video Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 3

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Alberta Mule Deer are a smoking hot topic for the first-time to the most experienced hunter from around the world.

Mule Deer populations and genetics continue to grow and evolve at the cutting edge of North American animal adaptability. One of the best-kept secrets in the Mule Deer hunting world is represented by the province of Alberta Many hunters are surprised to find that Alberta holds the World Record for Non-Typical Mule Deer at 355 2/8 Boone & Crockett inches. This is a record that has stood for over 80 years, waiting patiently for a new heir to the historic title to arise. Here in Alberta you will find impressive numbers of Mule Deer roaming throughout all parts of the province.

Even more impressive is the size and number of trophy bucks being harvested each year. These great ungulate have access to a virtual bread basket of pure, untainted food and water sources from Rocky Mountain-connected wilderness and agricultural properties that provide an unparalleled source of natural nutrition and environmental 4 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

support systems for the prolific Mule Deer. Furthermore, Alberta has placed almost all Mule Deer hunting in southern and central Alberta on a priority draw system for residents.

This has resulted in improved genetics that are putting big smiles on the faces of our Mule Deer hunters. Muleys in southern Alberta are putting large quantities of healthy, lean and protein-rich meat in the family deep freezers of more and more non-resident hunters every year.

Hunting Alberta’s Mule Deer has far more advantages than ever before. First of all, resident hunting pressure is

large Mule Deer surviving the hunting season and thus propagating their incredible genetic characteristics. These two factors make Alberta arguably the world's best destination for hunting trophy Mule Deer. Thanks to these improved wildlife management policies and the recent string of mild winters, Alberta is widely recognized as North America’s premier trophy Mule Deer destination.

Mule Deer are a widely distributed big game animal in Alberta and biologists estimate their population at around 133,000 and climbing. They are found in impressive numbers from the Montana border North to the Peace River region and beyond, and tremendous trophy potential exists in all areas.

minimal due to the limited license draw system. The Province is broken up into some 180 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) with most having an allotted number of Mule Deer licenses available. This strictly limits the harvesting of animals from resident hunters.

Ever changing advancements in hunting technology, fish and wildlife policies, relationships with rural land owners and crown property hunting rights are just a few of the recent developments being experienced in Alberta Outfitting industry today. Combined with burgeoning animal populations and leading conservation models, Alberta Outfitters are fully enabled and supported in providing world class guiding for non-resident hunters at an extremely reasonable expense. This makes hunting Alberta an appealing destination for new and seasoned hunters alike. For more provincial information and statistics, visit us online at www.HuntAlberta.ca. Here in Alberta, we understand how important good research is to successful hunting.

The Province of Alberta has the enviable reputation of being the destination of choice for hunters in search of a world class quality Mule Deer hunt. Since the inception of the Mule Deer draw system in the mid 90s throughout the Foothills and many years ago in the Prairies, we have seen a significant drop in the number of resident Mule Deer hunters and a corresponding increase in the number of .

Alberta’s Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) have the ability to produce monster (180 to 200+ inch) deer every year and many of them do. Several of Alberta’s better

Alberta’s Mule Deer have some of the largest body weights found anywhere, averaging 250 lbs.

Outfitters are consistently taking deer in the 170-inch range or better and can boast very high yearly success rates near the 100 percent mark for both archery and rifle hunts. Alberta’s Mule Deer also have some of the largest body weights found anywhere, averaging 250 lbs. and often surpassing the 300 lbs. mark with impressive antlers to match. Alberta’s Mule deer antlers are most noted for their exceptional height, incredible mass and dark coloration. A large percentage of the antlers also sport non-typical points, and several bucks scoring in excess of 240 Boone and Crockett points have been taken in recent years. Both the quality and quantity of Mule Deer continues to increase in this resource rich region, as the Mule Deer species moves to mount dominant genetic claim to the land. Here in Alberta, the annual Mule Deer rut takes place primarily during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of November.

With these healthy populations hunters are reportedly seeing more impressive bucks than ever before. The trophy books bear this out as well. Alberta has estabAlberta’s Professional Outfitter 5

lished its place alongside some of the famous Western states for producing large numbers of Boone and Crockett-typical Muleys. In fact, the provincial record for typical Mule Deer was set in 1996 and now stands at 206 points with multiple bucks surpassing the 200-inch mark each year.

The vast and diversified habitat in Alberta offers the traveling hunter a myriad of choices and preferences in hunting areas and techniques. The Southern Prairie zones (WMUs in the 100s) consist primarily of rolling hills with rivers breaks and deep coulees (draws). There are also the cottonwood river bottoms and mixed farmlands in this region. This type of open country is conducive to spotting large numbers of deer every day.

A hard working hunter is likely to harvest an excellent quality Mule Deer in the highly productive Southern Prairie zones.

This does not mean, however, that these deer are always out in the open waiting for every eager hunter to launch another adrenalin filled spot & stalk. These deer have an uncanny ability to dissolve into the landscape, where even an upright coyote can be seen standing at a thousand yards. Make no mistake, a Mule Deer hunt in the Southern Alberta Prairie zones can prove as challenging and invigorating as any Big Horn Sheep or Elk pursuit in the mountainous regions. Often 4x4 vehicles and extensive walking are utilized for access and transport purposes. Ground blinds and open spot and stalk hunting may be employed to produce success. With open space such as this, the adult Mule Deer can see, smell and sense danger at great distances. Many a seasoned hunter has committed the humbling mistake of expecting an easy kill in the early hours of the hunt. A hard working hunter is likely to harvest an excellent quality Mule Deer in the highly productive Southern Prairie zones.

The central and northern areas of the province boast more wooded cover areas, broken up with rich, meadowed farmland that many Mule Deer find irresistible. Several major river valleys also provide excellent feeding areas 6 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

where glassing open faced slopes often prove highly productive for spot and stalk or tree stand hunting techniques. In these parts of the province Muleys may be found feeding from the open areas in the late afternoon and returning to cover after sun-up. It is common for Mule Deer to bed right in their feeding areas, especially where resident pressure is more restricted. In these more heavily treed areas of the Parkland zones (WMUs in the 200s) and Northern Boreal zones (WMUs in the 500s), Mule Deer may be hunted from tree stands or ground blinds overlooking food sources and travel routes. This is similar to the way Whitetail Deer are hunted. Once again, spot and stalk is frequently productive in these areas.

The Foothills zones (WMUs in the 300s) contain a wonderful diversity of boreal ecosystems and an incredible variety of plant life, with forests of white spruce, black spruce, lodgepole pine, balsam and sub-alpine fir, aspen, birch, balsam poplar, mixed-wood forests, and wetland complexes. The Foothills provide important wildlife winter range because winters are warmer than in the adjacent Rocky Mountains, therefore increasing hunting appeal. Woodland Mule Deer, Whitetail, Grizzly bear and Wolverine roam widely in the relatively intact areas, and many migratory birds arrive from the tropics in the summer to raise their young. The foothills are similar to the mountain region, but are lower in elevation and generally drier. Forests of spruce, pine and poplar are often broken by tracts of grassland. This mosaic of vegetation provides good habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Hunting in this area is always dynamic and stimulating, with glimpses of a range of diverse and unique wildlife.

4x4s are often employed by trail or through unbroken bush from base camps to explore ridgelines, stream basins, forested, thick-bushed or grassy hillocks and sometimes even hidden canyons of shale rock or secret, winding sandstone coulees.

Last, but certainly not least, we have the Canadian Rocky Mountain zones (WMUS in the 400s) running up the western edge of the province. The habitat and hunting styles are not too different from those found in the mountainous regions of the western United States.

Many of the more remote areas are accessed on horseback or by walking. Glassing and spot and stalk are the methods used to locate and hunt these big mountain Mule Deer.

Of course, the extended season length is an added bonus when considering an Alberta Mule Deer hunt north of the 49th parallel. In most parts of Alberta, Mule Deer hunting begins in early September for archery hunters and continues for several weeks before the rifle hunts begin. The primary season for rifle Mule Deer hunting is from the last week of October through to the end of November. In the Mountain and Northern Boreal zones the rifle season starts as early as September 24 and continues until the end of November. While big Mule Deer bucks are often more active during the rut, excellent action can be enjoyed during the entire season, and archery hunting is very productive during the earlier seasons. It is not uncommon to encounter bachelor herds of half dozen or more bucks during the archery season. Witnessing a group of big bucks traveling together is a sight not soon forgotten.

Another unique feature of hunting in Alberta is that the leasing of private land for exclusive hunting access is illegal. Everyone is on a level playing field here, so consideration and respect are often the most valuable tools needed for acquiring permission to some impressive hunting areas. This is why established Alberta Outfitters are invaluable for ensuring an excellent guided hunt. This system works in Alberta because of the vastness of the geography and the relatively low hunter population density of the Province, especially in rural areas. When hunters travel to Alberta from around the world, they can rely on their Alberta Outfitter to have already established these valuable landowner relationships that often take years to develop.

The weather can be as varied as the terrain the Mule Deer inhabit and the best advice is to “expect the unexpected.”

It is possible to encounter a snowstorm in late August in the high peaks of the rRockies and it’s not uncommon to have shirt-sleeve days in late November on the prairies.

The best advice is to dress in layers and have enough clothing on hand in case the mercury decides to dip down

to minus 30. Alberta hunting guides are well experienced in their hunting areas, and are invaluable for assisting their hunting guests in all aspects of their Alberta big game hunt. There are no official blaze orange requirements in Alberta and most hunters opt for camouflage clothing.

Snow camouflage can be a good choice for late-season hunts, but there are years (particularly in the Prairie zones) where there is no snow at all, even in late November.

Rifle hunters are advised to bring a flat-shooting rifle capable of shooting out to at least 300 yards. While Muleys are often taken at 100 yards or less, it can be very rewarding to have the correct equipment option should you encounter a big buck at a longer distance. Archery hunters will also help improve their chances if they are well practiced and confident up to fifty yards or greater.

This is well within the capabilities of today’s equipment.

With the recent trend of mild winters, coupled with improved management and genetics, the possibility of a trophy of a lifetime for a Mule Deer hunter in Alberta is greatly enhanced.

The demand for these high quality, high success Mule Deer hunts is spreading like a prairie wild fire. If you have never enjoyed the unique experience of hunting Mule Deer, or have never taken the opportunity to hunt the Alberta advantage, now is the time to look seriously at hunting Alberta. Many hunters will profess that it was the hunt of a lifetime, and return year after year for a multitude of new experiences and successes.

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 7

Alberta Top Ten Top Ten in Alberta: TYPICAL MULE DEER

Top Ten in Alberta: NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER

Score

Date

Owner

Score

Date

Owner

206 205 3/8 201 3/4 201 200 1/4 199 5/8 199 1/2 198 3/4 198 3/4 197 3/4

1996 2003 1989 1999 2005 1997 1981 2005 1960 2003

Chad Lyttle Dean Herron Dale Ophus Bob Lindsay Robert Kutash Gordon Kulak Duncan Baldie Ervin Phipps C. Lundgard David E. Trotter

355 1/4 272 3/8 262 3/8 261 1/8 257 7/8 256 7/8 254 1/2 252 249 247 5/8

1926 1960 unk 1933 1946 1993 1930 1940 1993 1941

Ed Broder Philip Pearman Derold Erickson G. Mahachak Victor Mercier Henry Thomas O. Schmalzbauer J.H. Frey Amos Neufeld Eric Westergreen

Highlights of hunting Mule Deer in Alberta 1. Many hunters are surprised to find that Alberta holds the World Record for Non-Typical Mule Deer at 355 2/8 Boone & Crockett inches 2. Alberta is widely recognized as North America’s premier trophy Mule Deer destination 3. In fact, the provincial record for typical Mule Deer was set in 1996 and now stands at 206 points with multiple bucks surpassing the 200-inch mark each year Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus Hoofed Animals Deer Family (Cervidae) Measurement: Size: 140-180 cm/90-110 cm at the shoulder Weight: 90-115 kg Description: Our most common mountain deer, Mule Deer have a tawny coat with a light underside and rump. They usually have a light nose with a black tip.

They are often confused with the Whitetail deer, but their large ears help to distinguish the two species. Also, despite the name, Whitetail deer actually have a brown tail (it is white underneath). Mule Deer, on the other hand, DO have a white tail, which is tipped with black. Their antlers are also very different.

The antlers of Mule Deer begin with a single branch or tine. This will fork to create a y-junction. Each fork of the "y" may also branch to form an additional y-junction, and so on. Whitetail deer antlers begin with a single tine off of which numerous branches emerge.Mule Deer also have a bounding gait, with long leaps exceeding 6 m (20 feet) in length.

Range: This western deer is found throughout the Canadian and American Rockies. It is the principal mountain deer, and is much more common in the high country than the Whitetail

8 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Diet: Mule Deer eat a wide variety of grasses, forbs and leaves. Near summers end, leaves form a principal food source, with the diet moving to twigs, buds and branches. Lichens may be eaten.

Mule Deer must be constantly vigilant for cougar, wolves, black and grizzly bears and even lynx (which may take newborn fawns). Their large mule-like ears act like parabolic microphones, enabling the deer to hear almost anything occurring in the immediate area.

Reproduction: The mating season takes place in the autumn, and the males begin to exhibit an increased interest in the does, and a matching distaste for the other bulls in the area. They will spar with the other males, often resorting to antler-linked shoving matches.

Successful bulls will mate with as many females as possible, determining their reproductive state by smelling the ground where the females have urinated. After mating, they move onto the next doe.

The fawns emerge in the spring, like other deer, and the spotted fawns are kept well hidden for a few days until they get their legs. The doe will hide them in the bushes, and wander nearby to feed, returning regularly to nurse.

Source: www.mountainnature.com

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Moose (Alces alces) Alberta has a long history of producing exceptional trophy bull Moose. Alberta places 3 of the top 10 book Canada Moose, according to Boone and Crockett records. For Safari Club members, southern Alberta is the definitive hotspot for those wishing to take a Shiras Moose placing near the top of the SCI record book..

Moose are found throughout the wooded areas of Alberta, and the ungulates do especially well where there is an abundance of deciduous browse. Burns, logged areas and willow flats provide optimum habitat in the boreal forest and mountain areas of the province. In the mountains and foothills of southern Alberta, hillsides of aspen and willow are noticeably preferred by Moose. The focused expansion of the oil and gas industry alongside active logging effort has improved grazing habitat for Moose in the boreal forest and mountain regions, while also generating practical forestry access for hunters. Wildlife management regulations aimed at ensuring a sustainable harvest have been thoroughly successful here, and as a result Moose numbers and trophy quality are consistently high throughout the province. Moose are found on the rocky, wooded hillsides of the western mountain ranges; along the margins of half a million lakes, muskegs, and streams of the great boreal forest, and even on the northern tundra and in the aspen parkland of the prairies.

Moose have recently expanded their range to include much of the prairie and parkland regions. As shrubs. and decidu-

ous trees invade the prairie grasslands due to lack of fires, the Moose have followed the resulting abundance of browse. The lack of major predators (i.e. wolves and bears) has allowed for an unusually rapid population growth. On these farms and ranchlands Moose live much like Whitetail deer, relying on small woodlots and river bottoms for cover and grazing on some agricultural crops. Moose is thought to be derived from the words "mus" or "moos" of the Algonquian (North American Indian) family of languages; thought to mean 'eater of twigs' or 'he strips off the bark'. The Moose population in Canada is now estimated at more than 830,000!

The Moose population in Alberta, as estimated by the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, is around 118,000 animals.

A bull calf may develop button antlers during its first year. The antlers begin growing in midsummer and during the period of growth are soft and spongy, with blood vessels running through them. They are covered with a velvety skin. By late August or early September the antlers are fully developed and become hard and Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 9

bony. The velvet dries and the bulls rub it off against tree trunks. Mature animals usually shed their antlers between November and January, but some younger bulls may carry theirs through the winter until April. Yearling bulls usually have spike antlers, and the antlers of two-year-olds are larger, usually flat at the ends. Moose grow antlers each summer and shed them each winter.

can often be enticed to close range, bowhunters enjoy excellent success with Moose. In Alberta's more settled management units, rut seasons are usually restricted to bowhuing only. Rifle hunts during the late season are usually .aconducted from stands or by spotting and stalking. Farm houses, motels or comfortable lodges are the typical accommodations during these colder weather hunts.

Most Moose hunting in Albertais Across much of northern Alberta, Those who have experione using all terrain vehicles Moose hunters still enjoy the wilderenced a bull Moose ness adventure of hunting from such as four wheelers, larger coming to a call, red cabins or wall tents. Though often eyed and angry, will tell wheeled, or tracked machines.The spartan, these camps are comfortayou it is a hunting expe- abundance of oilfield seismic lines ble with the glow of woodstoves and rience second to none! and logging trails allows access oil lanterns. Most hunts take place into much of the backcountry. Some from mid September to mid October when the rut for hunts are conducted along rivers using canoes or river these magnificent animals is in full swing. Be forewarned, boats, with hunters stopping to call at likely spots. Camp however; this is not a hunt for the faint hearted! Some- may be set up each night along the river, activating a true times the response of a rutting bull to a call may be too wilderness experience! Another option is the traditional close for comfort. A few cow calls can turn a lovesick, Alberta pack horse hunt in the mountains.

1,200 pound bull to jelly, and he may travel for miles to seek out the affection of his amorous admirer. He may There is more to this than just a great hunt, for the arrive noisily, thrashing trees with his antlers, or some- incredible mountain scenery and a link to an historical times stealthily and unexpected to surprise the hunter with past become an inseparable part of the adventure. his regal presence. Those who have experienced a bull During the rut season, some of the remote northern Moose coming to a call, red eyed and angry, will tell areas can only be accessed by float plane. Hunting you it is a hunting experience second to none! from boats is the norm and a great Moose hunt can often be combined with fishing. Some of these lakes A bull Moose in full spread of antlers is the most imposing rarely see a single person throughout the year before beast in North America. It stands taller at the shoulder you touch down by plane. than the largest saddle horse. Big bulls weigh up to 600 kilos in most parts of Canada. In spite of its huge size and Snow and cold weather combine to offer underutilized ungainly appearance, an adult Moose can run through a opportunities for Moose hunting in some of Alberta's forest at speeds up to forty kilometers per hour. Its legs otherwise inaccessible areas during the late season. are long, allowing the moose to stand in shallow water or Frozen ground and waterways offer access by ATV or move easily through a meter of fresh snow. When it does snow machine unavailable during the rut season! The run, it lifts each leg straight up, making its gait almost weather may be cold during this time of the year, but the comical. This unusual leg action has its purpose; it allows rewards can be great. Some of the largest bulls each the animal to lift its leg easily out of a muddy lake or hunting season are taken well after the rut is over. stream bottom. Their walking stride is 1.1 to 2 meters, but it lengthens to near 3 meters when they trot or run.

Whether with bow or rifle, during the rut or late season,

by ATV, horse, boat or float plane, with accommodation Good swimmers, Moose can move through water at in a classic tent camp, rural motel or comfortable speeds of 10 kph for up to 2 hours. Because these bulls lodge - Alberta has a world class Moose for you!

10 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Alberta Top Ten Top Ten in Alberta: MOOSE Score

Date

Owner

226 7/8 225 224 222 7/8 222 220 7/8 217 5/8 217 2/8* 217 1/4 217

1978 1960 unk 1975 1947 1984 2001 1994 1977 1986

Tim Harbridge Carl J. Buchanan Gordon Klebe Glenn Dul M. Dominguez Bob Bergera Abe Teichrob F. J. Gimbel Carlysle Baldwin Ed Sikorski

* indicates taken with a bow.

Highlights of hunting Moose in Alberta 1. Alberta places 3 of the top 10 book Canada Moose, according to Boone and Crockett records 2. The Moose population in Alberta, as estimated by the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, is around 118,000 animals 3. Those who have experienced a bull Moose coming to a call, red eyed and angry, will tell you it is a hunting experience second to none!

Moose Alces alces Hoofed Animals Deer Family (Cervidae) Measurement: Size: 250-300 cm/180 cm at the shoulder Weight: 450-475 kg Description: The largest member of the deer family, the Moose is a truly northern animal.

It is dark brown with long legs and a very long nose. The shoulder has a large hump, and there is often a dangling bit of hair under the chin (dewlap).

Antlers in the male are immense, spreading outward like two large plates with sharp tines extending beyond the plate margin. A large set of antlers can stretch almost 2 m (6 ft), and weigh 30 kg (66 lbs).

Range: Thriving in the winter climates of Canada, it can be found from coast to coast. In the United States, the wintry environments of the Rockies have allowed the Moose to extend southward to take advantage of deep snow packs and plentiful forage. In recent years, Moose populations have sharply declined in Banff National Park. Wardens believe that this may be partially due to the urbanization of Elk and deer populations which brings increased pressure from predators that would normally select these smaller deer.This is further complicated by the health problems caused by the liver fluke which is often fatal for Moose, while rarely killing Elk.

Diet: Moose are true browsers, feeding on a combination of twigs, stems and buds over the winter The word 'Moose' is actually and Algonkian Indian term translating literally to 'twig-eater'. During summer, they also show a preference for aquatic plants where available.

Reproduction: Moose, like other deer mate in the fall, with the rutting season running through September and into early-October. They do not acquire harems like Elk, but rather marks his territory using urine, scent posts, and wallows.

Rival males are challenged, and receptive females are mated with. Bull Moose will wait several weeks for a cow to come into season if she is not ready when first encountered.

The cow will give birth in the spring, after a gestation of 226-264 days.

Often, she will swim out to an island to give birth, later swimming back with the calf in tow.

Notes: No other member of the deer family is as well adapted to northern climes than the Moose. In winter, when food is scarce and the quality is poor, moose are able to lower their body temperatures to reduce the amount of food required to stoke their large furnace. In addition, their long legs allow them to move effortlessly through very deep snow. Mule Deer and Whitetail movement is hampered by even shallow snowpack.

Source: www.mountainnature.com

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 11

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Whitetail (Odocoileus virginianus) The rate at which record-class bucks have been taken in Alberta has never been higher than it’s been in the last decade… and prospects for the future are brighter than ever. Alberta is home to three of Boone and Crockett’s Top Ten typical and non-typical record setting Whitetail bucks; no other single state or province on the continent has more deer on the list!

Those who really know Whitetail deer hunting will tell you the same thing. In Alberta, not only are there lots of Whitetails - there are big Whitetails! They can be so cunning and so elusive that a great many die of natural causes, never been seen by hunters! There is so much open ground to cover here, it is possible these animals can lead a totally human-free existence, wandering throughout their pristine natural habitat for the entire sum total of their fascinating life cycle.

The common range of these deer continues to expand as they adapt and move into new, productive habitat 12 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

created through forestry, agriculture and petroleum development. This has succeeded in creating more hunting opportunities for trophy Whitetail than ever before. In fact, the Alberta government’s Sustainable Resource Development department focuses specifically on developing sustainable infrastructures for hunting and fishing habitat.

An example of the kind of work being done recently in Alberta is the Recreational Access Management Program (RAMP). Some of the primary goals of RAMP are to:

The Southern Prairie zones (WMUs in the 100s) generally house large populations of Whitetail deer.

• Create an access management partnership between landowners and hunters and anglers.

• Improve public recreational hunting and fishing access opportunities on private land.

• Provide assistance to landowners to enhance working agricultural landscapes that provide quality habitat and hunting and fishing opportunities.

Alberta is internationally regarded for having one of the highest percentages of trophy-class bucks within its population of any jurisdiction in North America! Per capita hunting days produce more record book deer than any other region. By the book and by the numbers, Alberta just plain makes good mathematical and environmental hunting sense. The natural resources that exist in Alberta are truly the envy of the other nine Canadian provinces. Spend a week hunting Whitetails in Alberta and you may see some of the biggest deer ever thanks to excellent conservation efforts and established, dependable food and water sources well integrated/mature populations.

Whitetails have successfully adapted to a broad range of habitat types in Alberta. In the southern part of the province, prairie deer thrive in river bottoms, slough margins and any other "pocket" of ideal habitat they can find. The smallest piece of suitable cover can shelter outstanding bucks who have learned the hard way the coveted wilderness secrets of living in a fragmented landscape. The Southern Prairie zones (WMUs in the 100s) generally house large populations of Whitetail deer. Alberta Outfitters have mastered the hunting techniques required for pursuing impressive male Whitetail specimens in the prairie wildlife units. Expansive agricultural and grasslands with copses of poplar, willow and sagebrush are common to the prairie landscape. These areas are home to a range of stream and river drainages from the rRockies, and natural or man-made irrigation systems provide deer and other indigenous animals with plentiful water sources to replen-

ish their systems. The winter months result in large amounts of snowfall when heavy open winds cause drifting and exposure patterns to occur affecting animal foraging and movement.

In the central parklands of the province, clumps of aspen forest ranging in size from several to a couple-hundred acres conceal deer who take great advantage of abundant food resources provided by cereal, hay and other crops throughout the region. The Parkland zones (WMUs in the 200s) are a transition between the mixed-wood forests to the North and West and the drier prairies to the South and East. Stands of poplar are interspersed with grasslands and meadows, giving areas a park-like appearance. This rich agricultural land has black soils and receives ample rainfall. Many of Alberta's major metropolitan centres are found in the parkland, including Edmonton and Calgary.

The region is travelled by all-season highways, gravel roads, and major airports.

The Foothills zones (WMUs in the 300s) are wellpopulated with Whitetail. The foothills provide important Whitetail winter range because winters are warmer than in the adjacent Rocky Mountains, therefore offering a greater diversity of food sources for deer. Woodland

Whitetail roam widely throughout these areas. The foothills are similar to the mountain region, but are lower in elevation and generally drier. Forests of spruce, pine and poplar are often broken by tracts of grassland. This spectrum of vegetation provides appealing habitat for a variety of wildlife. Hunting in this area is very productive Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 13

and rewarding, and encounters of a range of diverse and unique wildlife are common. 4x4s are often employed by trail or through unbroken bush from base camps to explore ridgelines, stream basins, forested, thick-bushed or grassy hillocks, open meadows and sometimes even surprise canyons previously invisible from 200 meters away. Hold on tight to your handlebars! Tree stands, still hunting and spot and stalk may all be employed to harvest Whitetail in these zones - the geography is very dynamic and can change noticeably within each square mile.

The mountain hunting region is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain zones (WMUs in the 400s) that stretch along much of the western border of Alberta. It is characterized by forests of coniferous trees such as spruce, fir and pine. At higher elevations, permanent snow fields and glaciers are scattered among rocky ledges, scree slopes and alpine meadows. Next to this region are Alberta’s three national parks: Jasper, Banff and Waterton Lakes. Hunting is strictly prohibited in national parks.Further North, the boreal region offers deer the safety of spruce/aspen forests dissected by numerous cut blocks, roads, cutlines and fringe areas of agricultural production. The Northern Boreal Forest zones (WMUs in the 500s) are characterized by vast expanses of mixed-wood forests of coniferous spruce, pine and larch, and deciduous poplar and birch. These stands are broken by numerous lakes, muskegs and rivers. In the extreme northeast of the province, the Canadian shield of Precambrian rock is exposed, harbouring many clear-water lakes.

The Whitetail “RUT” occurs from mid to late November.

Weather conditions during this month are highly variable and range from dry and warm to two feet of snow and -30 temperatures. There is no way to predict from year to year what to expect, so one should come equipped and prepared for any of these possibilities. Outdoorsmen can always peel off extra clothes if the weather is unseasonably warm, but it is tough to hunt effectively if you’re constantly shivering, so ensure you bring clothes for periods of below freezing.

Archery seasons and the early northern rifle seasons are generally milder; however hunters should still be prepared for cold and snow during any of the fall months.

Hunting tactics vary greatly in Alberta, and here anything can 14 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

happen. Weather, a hunter’s level of fitness, timing in relation to the rut, habitat type, and personal preference of the Outfitter are all variables that play a role in the tactics used for success.

Bowhunters will have their best luck hunting from ground blinds or tree stands. Stands are placed along established travel corridors adjacent to known feeding areas or between food sources and bedding cover. Rattling, calling, scents and decoys may all be used to help move deer closer to bowhunters and rifle hunters utilizing blinds or stands. The rifle hunter has more options to choose from when it comes to selecting tactics or set-ups.

While ground blinds and tree stands continue to be effective choices, a spot and stalk approach can be highly productive for trophy deer, as can still-hunting where ground- cover conditions are favorable. Another time-tested technique for rooting out midday bucks from cover is “deer driving”, or "pushing bush" as its most commonly referred to in western Canada. This tactic, while certainly challenging the shooting skills of the hunter on post, is a highly successful method for creating opportunities for harvesting huge deer that might otherwise never show themselves.

The Whitetail subspecies native to Alberta is the largest bodied and largest antlered of the many recognized subspecies of Whitetails across North America. Mature bucks in excess of the 300 “plus” pound category exist here and some grow to be substantially bigger. As for antler size: Alberta’s habitat, genetics and moderate hunting pressure allow many deer to reach the true trophy proportions and incredible mass that is recognized throughout the hunting world. As a result, rifles in the .270 to .300 Win. Mag. class are the norm. It is difficult to have too much gun when hunting Whitetails and most Outfitters recommend clients bring with them the largest caliber they can comfortably handle. Variable scopes can be of great value too, as shooting opportunities may present themselves at anywhere from a handful of yards if hunting from a blind or stand to 350 yards or more in open habitats.

Alberta is truly a hunter’s paradise, and as a long time visiting hunter recently quoted: “Flying in each year gives me the same feeling. As the plane touches down, I get that exciting feeling of anticipation and the thought comes to mind that I am ‘home’, back in the ‘land of giants’!”

Alberta Top Ten Top Ten in Alberta: TYPICAL WHITE-TAILED DEER

Top Ten in Alberta: NON TYPICAL WHITE-TAILED DEER

Score

Date

Owner

Score

Date

Owner

204 1/4 199 5/8* 198 1/2 197 3/8 192 7/8 192 0/8* 190 7/8 190 5/8 190 3/8 188 1/2

1967 1991 1981 1992 1992 1999 1997 1969 1984 1977

S. Jansen Don McGarvey Morris Kimball L. J. Youngman N. Trudeau Jim Hole R. J. Kowalyshyn Eugene Bolle Glen R. Davis N. T. Salminen

279 3/4 277 5/8 276 1/8 267 7/8 256 5/8 255 3/4 255 1/2 252 3/4 248 1/2 254 1/4

1991 1976 2007 1984 1993 1998 1973 1998 1995 1991

Brad Gsell Doug Klinger Helgie Eymundson Jerry Froma Keith Hahmer Michael Braund Leo Eklund Don Brenneman D. J. Hollinger & B.Howard Mike Crustawka

Highlights of hunting Whitetail in Alberta 1. Alberta is home to three of Boone and Crockett’s Top Ten typical and non-typical record setting Whitetail bucks; no other single state or province on the continent has more deer on the list!

2. Alberta is internationally regarded for having one of the highest percentages of trophy-class bucks within its popula tion of any jurisdiction in North America!

3. Mature bucks in excess of the 300 “plus” pound category exist here and some grow to be substantially bigger.

Whitetail Odocoileus virginianus Hoofed Animals Deer Family (Cervidae) Measurement: Size: 190 cm/90-105 cm at the shoulder Weight: 90-135 kg Description: In the Rockies, the Whitetail deer is outnumbered by the smaller mule deer. Over the past decade, Whitetail have been moving uphill, and have become a common sight in the mountains. Like the mule deer, they have a tawny coat with a light rump. Their tail is much bushier than that of the Mule Deer, and despite their name, is brown in colour. It is the underside of the tail for which this deer has become known. When startled, they raise their tail and reveal the white underside. This "flagging" as it is called, acts as a danger call to other deer in the immediate area.

Their antlers are also unique. The main branch (or tine) forks several tines along its length. The antlers of mule deer form a y-intersection at each junction.

Diet: They feed on many grasses, flowers and leaves during the summer months, resorting to browsing buds and twigs during the long winter months.

Reproduction: Like other members of the deer family, the rutting season takes place during September and early October. Fawns appear in the spring, making the winter a challenging time for the does. They must divert limited winter resources towards reproduction, and this may result in their being more likely to be selected by predators.

Notes: Poorly adapted to winter climates, Whitetail deer 'yard' up during the winter. Quite simply stated, they move in groups, using trails to make winter travel less difficult. Unlike Moose, who are well adapted to move through the deep snows of the mountains, deer are forced into a bounding gait with even a shallow snowpack. Very soon, the benefits of movement can be outweighed by the energy costs.

Source: www.mountainnature.com

Range: The most wide-spread deer in North America, the Whitetail is found across the U.S. and southern Canada. While less common in the mountains than the Mule Deer, it is gradually becoming a more common sight.

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 15

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Elk (Cervus elaphus) There are few big game animals that captivate the human imagination like that of a Rocky Mountain bull Elk. The mere sight of one of these grand creatures bugling on a misty September morning, or thrusting its way through chest-deep snow in mid-November is enough to make some hunters abandon all trace of common sense and go to extremes to harvest one of the magnificent beasts.

Elk hunting is never easy, but the rewards for patience and perseverance are high. A six-point or better bull Elk placed conspicuously on the trophy-room wall is true testament to a hunter’s prowess.

Alberta has a growing population of Elk (also known as Wapiti) that numbers in the neighborhood of 26,000 animals. They are found predominantly along the eastern shadow of the Rocky Mountain zones (WMUs in the 400s), and in the high basins of the Foothill zones (WMUs in the 300s), although in recent years they have been expanding their range into the forested Northern Boreal zones (WMUs in the 500s) and Parkland zones (WMUs in the 200s). This nocturnal creature is primarily a grazer, feeding on woody vegetation and lichen. Once the velvet of his antlers has been discarded, the bull Elk begins assembling his harem of up to 60 cows. The gestation period for calves is 255-275 days. The Elk's main predator is the mountain lion, and sometimes bears consume the young.

It was at one time thought that all the best Elk bulls in 16 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Alberta were found in Banff, Waterton and Jasper National Parks and that they seldom ventured outside the confines of these protected areas into adjacent hunting zones until well after the season closed. However, in the past few years hunters have been killing an inordinate amount of big bulls in Alberta. This includes a non-typical in 1999 that stretched the tape to over 440 inches and a 414 5/8 non-typical taken in 2002. This is partly due to the fact that Alberta’s Elk mature quickly and it is not uncommon for three-year-old bulls to sport 6x6 racks.

During the late summer breeding season the bugling of bull Elk echoes through the mountains. These powerful animals strip the velvet off their new antlers, using them in violent clashes that determine mating pairs. Males with the bigger antlers, (typically older, more experienced animals) usually win these battles and dominate small herds. In the winter, Wapiti reconvene into larger herds, though males and females typically remain separate. The herds return to lower valley pastures where Elk spend the season pawing through snow to browse on grass or settling for shrubs that stand clear of the snow cover.

Elk hunting begins in late August and early September with the archery season. Archery hunting is permitted in most zones prior to the rifle season, and there are two archery-only zones in the province of Alberta containing strong populations of trophy Elk. Many of the rifle seasons open in mid-September and stretch until the end of November. During the early hunts, when the Elk are in rut, the favored method of hunting is bugling and cow calling. This method involves trying to draw the bull to you rather than stalking or pursuing the animal. In this manner, it is possible to convince the herd bull you are trying to steal his cows, and he will come to confront the challenge. The rut often lasts into midOctober and the action can be as good (if not better) at this time of year, as bulls compete to find the few remaining open cows.

There are more record book bulls being taken than ever before and there are larger bulls being shot than ever imagined by hunters in this province.

with the trusty .270 or 7mm. Rifles should be sighted in for 250 yards for late-season hunts. For early-season bugling hunts, shots are usually under 100 yards and sometimes as close as 30.

Winter often comes early to the high country and warm boots over top of heavy underwear are sometimes not out of place in early September. Late-season hunts, and especially those in the mountains, can be extremely cold.

Good felt-pack boots and warm, layered clothing are a must. Camouflage is a good idea, especially during the rut when you are trying to bugle bulls in. Stick with patterns that exhibit a good blend of green and brown and don’t forget to bring something to hide your hands and face.

Elk hunting in Alberta just seems to be getting better and better every year! There are more record book bulls being taken than ever before and there are larger bulls being shot than ever imagined by hunters in this province. The non-typical record was shattered in 1999 and while Clarence Brown’s fine 1977, 419 5/8-inch bull still stands at number one for a typical elk in Alberta, there is much speculation that that record will also fall in the next couple years.

As the rut draws to a close, bulls leave the cows and begin to form bachelor herds that will often remain together until the following year’s rut. Spot and stalk becomes the method of choice during this period, as bulls are drawn to prime feeding areas to replenish their fat reserves for the impending winter. The majority of Mountain and Foothill hunts are conducted from horseback, and hunters will often spend several days in remote camps within close proximity of the Elk herds. Hunts in the Boreal forest and Parkland regions utilize trucks, quads and good old-fashioned boot leather. Elk will typically lay-up in the dark, heavy timber during the day and are often nearly impossible to approach. Thankfully, due to their immense body size, they must eat large amounts of food and are usually found moving to or from feeding areas during legal hunting times.

Since Elk are such big animals, rifles like the .300 or .338 are preferred, although many bulls are shot each year Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 17

Alberta Top Ten Top Ten in Alberta: NON-TYPICAL ELK Score 444 1/2 414 5/8* 408 1/4 402 1/4 401 3/4 372 1/2 368 367 364 1/8 348 7/8

Date

Owner

John Amberg 1999 Brent A. Kuntz 2002 Steven Steward 1990 Robert Joachim 1984 Harold Vaughn 1964 Norris Bates 1988 Kevin Robinson 1993 Rylan Kerbes 2001 Janet Cameron 1994 Brian Gargas 1989 * indicates taken with a bow.

Top Ten in Alberta: TYPICAL ELK Score 419 5/8 418 402 5/8 402 5/8* 400 7/8 399 1/4 398 394 1/4 394 1/4 393 1/4

Date

Owner

Clarence Brown 1977 Bruce Hale 1971 Henry Folkman 1946 Will Huppertz 2004 Ray Hindmarsh 1963 Ralph Fry 1952 Pat Adams 1977 George Browne 1938 Roy Crawford 1976 Allan Foster 1952 * indicates taken with a bow.

Highlights of hunting Whitetail in Alberta 1. Elk hunting is never easy, but the rewards for patience and perseverance are high.

2. In the past few years hunters have been killing an inordinate amount of big bulls in Alberta. This includes a nontypical in 1999 that stretched the tape to over 440 inches and a 414 5/8 non-typical taken in 2002.

3.There are more record book bulls being taken than ever before and there are larger bulls being shot than ever imagined by hunters in this province.

Elk/Wapiti Cervus elaphus Hoofed Animals Deer Family (Cervidae) Measurement: Size: : 230-240 cm/140 cm at the shoulder Weight: 300-350 kg Description: This large deer is second only to the Moose in terms of sheer bulk.

They are larger than Mule Deer and Whitetail, as well as the less common woodland caribou with which they are most commonly confused. Elk have a dark brown coats, and bright white rumps.

Unlike Mule Deer and Whitetail, they lack any white on the head. Their antlers can be very large, growing back, almost paralleling the line of the back. There is often a single tine that grows forward towards the front of the nose. Like Whitetail, the antlers begin with a single tine, off of which numerous smaller tines fork. A large stag (often improperly referred to as a bull), may have 6 or more tines on each antler.

Range: Elk are found throughout the Rockies, and are one of the most popular animals in Banff and Jasper National Parks. Recently, park wardens in Banff have begun to forcibly evict the Elk from within the town site in an attempt to return the Bow Valley to a more natural predator-prey regime, Several hundred Elk were removed in the winter of 1999-2000, and an aggressive program of aversive conditioning is being used to discourage the remaining Elk from hanging around Banff town site.

18 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Diet: Elk are not very fussy when it comes to diet. They eat a variety of grasses, flowers, and herbs. They are particularly fond of anything that comes in a planter, making them the bane of gardeners in Banff and Jasper. In the winter, they may strip the bark off of aspen trees, leaving a dark scar on the otherwise lightly colored bark. In some areas, entire stands of trees may show scarring up to the 1.5 m (5 ft) mark.

Reproduction: In mid-August, metabolic changes in male Elk result in the production of testosterone. This begins the process of calcification of the antlers.

As blood flow is decreased, the velvet peels off, and the stags will rub the antlers to remove the velvet. Soon, the stags begin to bugle. This call, once identified, is never forgotten. Bugling serves to attract hinds (improperly called cows) and also to challenge rival stags.

There is evidence that the more vocal the bull, the better his chances of attracting a harem. The stags will size each other up, and may resort to shoving matches as they lock their antlers together. The sharp antlers can also result in some serious injuries.

During the rut, the stag has little in the way of leisure time. He may have little time to feed, and his energy is rapidly depleted through both mating and battling other stags. This leaves him in poor condition heading into the harsh winter. As a result, many dominant stags will not survive the winter.Gestation varies between 249 and 262 days, with the calves arriving in May or early-June. Female Elk can be exceedingly aggressive when protecting their calves. Do not approach Elk at any time.

Source: www.mountainnature.com

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Wolf and Coyote Wolf (Canis lupus) Sportsmen hunting other big game often take Wolves as an incidental species. There is, however, a growing recognition that the Wolf is a magnificent trophy in its own rite, and as such there is increasing interest in hunting them in Alberta.

(available for a nominal fee) from the opening of any big game season until the end of the spring Bear season. Some outfitters offer winter Wolf hunts, when the pelts are at their best and no other hunting seasons are open.

Wolf populations are high throughout the boreal, foothills and mountain regions of Alberta. Alberta Wolves can reach 120 pounds in weight and vary in color spectrum from light gray to night black. The pelt of an Alberta Wolf, taken in its winter prime, is a beautiful reminder of a great hunt for this shy and rarely seen trophy.

Baiting Wolves is legal and effective. Also, during late February and early March, Wolves may be "howled in" during the mating season. Wolves in hearing range of a predator call will often respond, and can be lured in close to hunters.

Wolves may be hunted by the holder of a Wolf license

There is no limit on Wolves, but they are subject to CITES regulations. Hunters must wait for the issuance of a CITES permit and have the trophy shipped (see www.cites.org).

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 19

Wolf Canis lupus The Dogs Dog Family (Canidae) Measurement: Size: 160-190 cm Weight: 45-70 kg Description: The Wolf looks like no other wild dog. It is immense, perhaps its most telling feature weighing in between 45-70 kg. Colors vary between black and white. Little more in the way of description is generally necessary The mournful howl of the Wolf is occasionally heard on the mountain airwaves. Historically, people had fun howling back and forth with Wolves. Today, biologists believe this can add stress as the Wolves may conclude that a rival pack is in the area.

Range: The Wolf can be found across Canada, although the populations are struggling to survive in many locations. Wolf populations can also be found in isolated pockets in the US, in particular the northern US Rockies.

Diet: Wolves are very organized predators of large game animals.

Primary prey includes Mule Deer and Whitetail, Elk, bighorn Sheep and Moose. Given the opportunity, they will also take mountain goats, bison and rarely domestic cattle. Small mammals and birds may supplement this diet.They hunt cooperatively, often taking turns chasing down a single prey until they exhaust it. Since Wolves do not have great endurance, this cooperative form of hunting is very effective.

While they have few natural predators, the pups may fall victim to bears, cougars, lynx and even eagles.

Reproduction: The social structure of the Wolf pack generally restricts mating to the dominant or alpha male and female. During mating, the males penis actually locks into place within the female vagina, holding

him until mating is complete, which may take as long as 30 minutes. Actual mating takes place during the winter, with the pups arriving 63 days later. They will be nursed in the den for several weeks before slowly making its first foray to the outside world.

Notes: Wolves have a highly developed social structure, with intricate relationships between pack members. The pack is composed numerous individuals (averaging around 8 Wolves) living within a cooperative social structure. The dominant (alpha) male and female take precedence within the pack. They are the first to feed, and often the only pair that will mate. The entire pack plays an active role in the raising of the pups. Dominance is temporary though, and in time, the alpha male and female will each have to face challenges from younger Wolves.

Source: www.mountainnature.com

Highlights of hunting Wolf in Alberta 1. Alberta Wolves can reach 120 pounds in weight and vary in color spectrum from light gray to night black 2. On most days a hunter will experience multiple opportunities to bag "Old Wily" 20 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Coyote (Canis latrans) Alberta’s coyotes offer great opportunities for both the long-range varmint shooter and the predator caller. Coyotes are abundant in the province, especially in the prairie, parkland and foothills regions. On most days a hunter will experience multiple opportunities to bag "Old Wily". There is no limit on coyotes in Alberta and pelts taken during the winter prime season are thick and well-furred.

Coyote Canis latrans

In general, Coyotes may be hunted year round on private lands and from October 1 until February 28 on public lands. During open big game seasons, the Coyote hunter must possess a big game license valid for that open season and management unit.

The serious Coyote hunter should wait until the end of the big game season (usually November 30) when pelts are at their best and other hunters are not as active. An Alberta Wolf /Coyote game license is required.

Canada Highway,

The Dogs Dog Family (Canidae) Measurement: Size: 112-137 cm Weight: 9-23 kg Description: The trickster, as the Blackfoot of southern Alberta knew the Coyote, is a common sight throughout the Canadian and American Rockies.

Look for a medium sized gray dog with a grizzled coat with a reddish tinge. The underside is white, and the tail is thick and brushy.

Coyotes, like Wolves can be very vocal. Their yipping call can make for a pleasant chorus on the mountain airwaves. It is much more dog-like than the Wolf, with short, high-pitched yaps rather than the haunting howl of the Wolf.

Range: Coyotes are found throughout the United States and southern Canada. Their range extends north to the Yukon and Alaska following the Rocky Mountains. Despite man's attempts to wipe out the Coyote throughout much of the 20th century, the Coyote actually managed to extend its range during this same period.

Diet: Coyotes are easily the most versatile predator in the Rockies. While they are principally a predator of small game like mice, voles, ground squirrels and birds, they also eat large amounts of carrion. They also take the occasional domestic pet. In terms of adaptability, they are very quick to take advantage of unique situations. They have been known to follow grizzly bears. Grizzly bears will occasionally dig up ground squirrel colonies, most of which have a back door.

Canada Highway, and Coyotes quickly learned to take advantage of this change to their world. While they would rarely be a predator of large game animals like bighorn Sheep, they learned that when the Sheep were chased that they would run towards nearby cliffs where they would normally have the advantage (due to their climbing skills). Unfortunately, high fences cut off the cliffs, and so the Coyotes quickly learned to stampede the sheep into these fences.

Park wardens began to find carcasses of Sheep where these fences passed highway rock cuts. The wardens then covered the fence with a green mesh to give the Sheep an earlier warning that there was a physical obstacle that they could not pass. This has had the effect of equalizing the advantage the Coyotes had gained.

While Coyotes are an effective hunter, they occasionally become the hunted. Wolves and cougars may take the odd Coyote, but man is their main predator. Coyotes are generally not dangerous to humans, but there have been numerous cases where people, in particular children, have been bitten.

As the bear goes in through the front door, the Coyote patiently waits at the back door. When the ground squirrel thinks it's time to retreat, and heads out the back door, the Coyote takes it and leaves the grizzly hungry. They have also been known to play dead and wait for ravens to come and pick at their carcass, at which turnabout is fair play and the Coyote instead picks at the raven's carcass. For some reason, they have commonly been seen stealing golf balls from courses in Banff and Jasper. They may think they look like eggs, but biologists are not certain of the real reason.

Reproduction: Coyotes tend to move in mated pairs. There may be a small pack made up of siblings, within which there will be a dominant pair. This pair is the sole breeding pair and the remainder of the pack will assist in the raising of the pups. Mating takes place between January and March. The female will dig a den in the spring, with the pups arriving in April or May. Gestation is 60-63 days. The typical litter is six with some litters as high as nine pups.

In Banff National Park, fences have been erected along the Trans

Source: www.mountainnature.com

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 21

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Feature Article

Buck Fever As we watched the mule deer buck of my dreams bound over the far ridge I was kicking myself for not taking a shot.

But in reality, my chances of making a good shot on him was not likely as he was at 350 to 450 yards running.

As this big buck disappeared over the hill, my guide, Brett commented “That’s one of the biggest mule deer bucks I have ever seen!” Brett has guided all types of hunters in Alberta for more than ten years, so I figured this buck was a dandy. This was the second day of my four day hunt in one of the prairie zones of southern Alberta. I could only pray that this buck and I would cross paths again.

I suppose I should start by telling you that this passion to harvest a big 22 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

muley started for me back in 1964, when I first passed the Hunter’s Safety course at the age of twelve. I was born and raised in eastern Montana, which is just a few hundred miles from this hunt in Alberta.

As a young hunter back then, I had an old hand-me-down rifle that I swear you could shoot around a corner with! We didn’t hunt for trophy animals. We hunted for deer period. Not that I didn’t see some monster bucks when I was growing up; I was just not lucky enough to get

one. Deer weren’t as populous as they are today and because my family was not well-to-do, we lived off the wild game we harvested each fall. So whether it was a doe or a buck, we tried to harvest it.

Through the years that followed, my focus shifted to full-time work and raising a family of my own. I didn’t have the time or the resources to hunt one of these trophies. Yet, always in the back of my mind somewhere, I could visualize a 30-inch muley trotting

over a far away ridge and felt a yearning to pursue it. Now that I am retired and have a little time and money to devote to hunting again, the hunting landscape in Montana has changed. Gone are the days when you knew the landowners and could get permission to hunt. Today many of the ranches have been purchased by outside entities and are posted or the hunting rights have been leased. It is downright difficult for a resident hunter in Montana to find a trophy mule deer on Bureau of Land Management property.

“That’s one of the biggest mule deer bucks I have ever seen!”

So I figured if I was going to fulfill my dream of getting a big muley, I would have to go where there are some trophy bucks left. My research indicated that Alberta was the logical choice. Alberta has the prairie terrain that I am accustomed to and is within a few hundred miles of my home. I spent many more hours researching outfitters on the Internet before settling on Trophy Hunters Alberta for my hunt.

What I especially liked about the outfitter, Tyler, with Trophy Hunters Alberta is that he didn’t over-sell what he could deliver on. When I inquired about the ability to harvest a mule deer buck between 170 to 190 inches, he said that it would depend on the zone hunted and my physical ability to walk extensively packing a rifle. Mother Nature also plays a vital role. For instance, a big buck can easily succumb to a long

cold winter if much of their body reserves are used up during rut.

Tyler did not leave the impression that I could just show up and expect to harvest a big muley. But he did tell me that big mule deer had been harvested in this zone in year’s previous and that there were still big deer bucks in the zone.

So as I fished away the summer of 2010, I often day-dreamed about the big muley I would hunt for in southern Alberta come fall. Often I would stop in at the sporting good stores and admire the trophy deer mounts of my friends and other lucky hunters. By November, I couldn’t have been more ready for the hunt of my dreams.

Through the Outfitter, I had arranged for an additional two days of pre scouting prior to the actual hunt.

The two days of pre scouting cost me a little bit more but it was worth every penny! After clearing Customs, I arrived at the ranch where my accommodations were on a Sunday afternoon. Following a brief introduction with the rancher and his wife, I felt totally at ease in their presence – as if I had known them my whole life. The hardworking couple had down-to-earth personalities and both had a great sense of humor. The food was way beyond good and the lodging was fine.

The following day I met up with my outfitter guide, Brett, who seemed to be the quiet type. We scouted around the ranch that day and then had to drive to a small town to get diesel fuel, which is a scarce commodity in southern Alberta. But I

enjoyed the drive as it provided me an opportunity to look over the countryside, which reminded me very much of home with its prairie grass pastures and coulees filled with sage and willows. Perfect mule deer country! We also saw several head of elk and tons of antelope.The next morning we got up before daylight to head for the Milk River to scout. As we were driving in the dark, we saw a real nice muley in a ditch close to the road. We made our way over to the Milk River and began checking out a few coulees.

The delicate Alberta breezes at the start of our day turned into 30 to 50 miles per hour wind by the time we made it back to the truck! While Brett and I ate a sandwich, I asked him if all the prairie hunting involved extensive walking.

He informed me that prairie hunts are almost exclusively walking and after you harvest a critter you pack him out. I am fifty-eight years old and not in bad shape, I don’t smoke and I am not overweight; but at that point I was beginning to doubt whether I had prepared physically enough to hunt this zone. In Montana, its lots of spot and stalk from a 4 x 4! But here, you walk! So if you are a little out of shape, this is not your kind of hunt!

“This hunt in Alberta was truly the hunt of a lifetime!”

What I especially liked about the outfitter, Tyler, with Trophy Hunters Alberta is that he didn’t over-sell what he could deliver on. When I inquired about the ability to harvest a mule deer buck between 170 to Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 23

190 inches, he said that it would the south.

We walked for a mile or two and as I stopped, Brett walked across the creek to join me. As we are talking, a few does and fawns came out of thesuccumb to a long cold winter if much of their body reserves are used up during rut. Tyler did not leave the impression that I could just show up and expect to harvest a big muley. But he did tell me that big mule deer had been harvested in this zone in year’s previous and that there were still big deer bucks in the zone.

So as I fished away the summer of 2010, I often day-dreamed about the big muley I would hunt for in southern Alberta come fall. Often I would stop in at the sporting good stores and admire the trophy deer mounts of my friends and other lucky hunters. By November, I couldn’t have been more ready for the hunt of my dreams.

Through the Outfitter, I had arranged for an additional two days of pre scouting prior to the actual hunt. The two days of pre scouting cost me a little bit more but it was worth every penny! After clearing Customs, I arrived at the ranch where my accommodations were on a Sunday afternoon. Following a brief introduction with the rancher and his wife, I felt totally at ease in their presence – as if I had known them my whole life. The hardworking couple had down-toearth personalities and both had a great sense of humor. The food was way beyond good and the lodging was fine.

The following day I met up with my outfitter guide, Brett, who seemed to be the quiet type. We scouted around the ranch that day and then had to drive to a small town to get diesel fuel, 24 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

which is a scarce commodity in southern Alberta. But I enjoyed the drive as it provided me an opportunity to look over the countryside, which reminded me very much of home with its prairie grass pastures and coulees filled with sage and willows. Perfect mule deer country! We also saw several head of elk and tons of antelope.

The next morning we got up before daylight to head for the Milk River to scout. As we were driving in the dark, we saw a real nice muley in a ditch close to the road. We made our way over to the Milk River and began checking out a few coulees. The delicate Alberta breezes at the start of our day turned into 30 to 50 miles per hour wind by the time we made it back to the truck! While Brett and I ate a sandwich, I asked him if all the prairie hunting involved extensive walking.

He informed me that prairie hunts are almost exclusively walking and after you harvest a critter you pack him out.

I am fifty-eight yearsold and not in bad shape, I don’t smoke and I am not overweight; but at that point I was beginning to doubt whether

I had prepared physically enough to hunt this zone. In Montana, its lots of spot and stalk from a 4 x 4! But here, you walk! So if you are a little out of shape, this is not your kind of hunt!

Wednesday morning, the first day of the actual hunt, we decided to hunt the Milk River. So Brett and I headed out early to get to the area before daylight. We parked the truck and walked about three or four miles to the edge of the river. We got there about daylight and started glassing. I was amazed at the differences in river here as compared to the Milk River by my home in Montana. The river valley was much narrower with deep coulees coming off the river. The trees and bushes were radiating their fall colors. We spotted mule and whitetail deer in the bottom. Brett headed east to look down the river at some other deer and advised me to stay put and keep glassing.

I watched a couple of mule deer bucks in the 150 class as one buck chased the other buck from his harem of does. I saw several muleys to the I watched a couple of mule deer bucks in the 150 class as one buck chased

the other buck from his harem of does. I saw several muleys to the north of me, but as I walked over to get a better look, none of them were shooters. As I sat taking in the sights up and down the river, Brett returned. He had spotted a fairly heavy deer across the river that

and visit with our hosts. I was worn out, so I turned in early.

looked pretty good, perhaps 27 to 28 inches wide with good forks, but he was a 3 x 4; so we passed on him because it was only day one of my hunt. So we walked back to the east and look at the other deer that were now entering the river bottom.

After several more hours of glassing, Brett suggested we work our way back to the truck. As I walked the four miles back to the truck, I felt tired and questioned whether I would be able to finish the hunt. On the drive back towards the ranch, we made several more hikes to check places where Brett sometimes finds deer.

deer, just not the right one! When we arrived back at the truck, I was half beat from walking. We had a sand wich and water, and Brett said “Do you remember the deer we saw along the road the other morning before daylight?” I said, “I do.” He suggested we go park the truck to see if we can find the coulee where he might be hanging around. So off we go on another walk. Brett and I hit this coulee and started working it south toward the main drainage.

As evening approached, we saw a wide antlered deer and got close enough for a look but he was only a 3 x 3. Back at the ranch, we ended the day with a wonderful supper

The next morning found us at the north side of the ranch where we started walking this set of drainages.

We spent the next three hours walking these draws and kicked out plenty of

We walked several miles when Brett signaled to me to cross the coulee. I eased over to where he was and he pointed out a deer lying in the buck brush about 100 yards from us. We could see the tops of his antlers and once in awhile the fronts but we couldn’t see his head, so had no way of knowing if he was 22 inches or 28

inches wide. As we tried to get a better look, the deer made one jump and was behind a hill. As he appeared a second time, he was accompanied by a second buck that was even wider.

Both bucks were at least 26 inches wide, tall and pretty heavy, but offered no shot as they headed down the

coulee toward the main creek. I cursed myself for not having been ready when the buck jumped up.

We followed them down the coulee and when we got to the main creek, we spotted the pair southwest of us about a mile, headed west up the creek. We rushed to try to intercept them. Up on a small knoll, we glassed for awhile where we saw other deer but no sign of the two bucks. I kicked myself again for not being ready. Maybe I just needed to be faster. Maybe I needed some “Lawson Luck!” Brett brought me back to reality by suggesting that we walk the main creek back to the east, as we hadn’t hunted that area yet.

Brett took the north side of the creek and I took the south.

We walked for a mile or two and as I stopped, Brett walked across the Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 25

four words that were music to my ears,“This one won’t ground-shrink!”

As I stared down at this magnificent trophy, I realized just how lucky I was to have come to Alberta and spent two days scouting and two days hunting and to have harvested the trophy of a lifetime!

creek to join me. As we are talking, a few does and fawns came out of the creek to the east of us. Then we saw a small buck head down the creek in the same direction of the does. All of a sudden, I hear Brett hiss, “BIG BUCK! BIG BUCK! In the creek!” I look down the creek and all I could see were these huge antlers going through the sage brush.

I looked down the hill below us at about 100 yards and there stood this monster muley!

Once in awhile I got a glimpse of his body. I tried to kneel so that I could use my sticks, but all I could see was sage brush! The buck finally came out of the creek and that is where the best part of my story began! As we walked up the far ridge, Brett said again, “That deer was huge!” I felt bad, but maybe I’ll find this monster again.

This was BUCK FEVER at its best!

The monster didn’t wait around for the third shot as he wheeled out and headed across the creek at a full run. I chambered my third round and when he cleared the buck brush I swung out in front of him and let drive again. The buck disappeared and I looked at Brett and said, “I took him out.” The buck had disappeared but that telltale thump from the 180 Accubond bullet told the tale.

Once on the ridge we looked around and wondered out loud where he might have gone. We started down the other side of the ridge and suddenly, Brett grabbed my arm and pulled me down. He said “The buck is right below us!” I looked towards the creek and could see a 4 x 4 buck coming out of the creek north of us. I asked Brett if that was the same buck and he said, “No.” 26 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

Brett asked me if I was ready and I answered, “Yes.” I don’t grab my sticks, noting this will be duck soup. I got on one knee, chambered a round and let drive. Nothing! I chambered another round and fired again. Nothing!

Brett asked me to chamber another round, which I did, but there was no need. As we walked around a patch of buck brush, we got our first really good look at this bruiser. If you have hunted mule deer you have probably heard the term “ground-shrink.” Well Brett said

All of a sudden, I hear Brett hiss, “BIG BUCK! BIG BUCK! In the creek!”

It was almost surreal! But as I told my critics when I spent the money for the hunt, “You have to go where they still have some of these trophy animals!” Yes, I had “Lawson Luck” but I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the outfitter who didn’t oversell his hunt. But even more, I owe my gratitude to the best damn guide a hunter could ever get! Brett’s diligence, tireless work ethic, patience and honesty led me to this trophy. So it’s not just my trophy or memory, it is ours. So I can sum it all up by saying, “This hunt in Alberta was truly the hunt of a lifetime!”

Chuck Lawson

Map of Alberta

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 27

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Cover Article

Brock Lesnar

TAPS OUT WHITETAIL Brock Lesnar, the “baddest man on the planet,” took southern Alberta by storm at the tail end of 2010. He bagged two trophy deer in less than four days - a Muley and a Whitetail. The first was, in Brock’s words, “...a respectable, male deer buck”. The latter won Largest Whitetail in the provincenearly taking Brock’s arm off in the process. Brock's visit to Alberta will not be soon forgotten by him or anyone else involved in this captivating wilderness adventure. Here is the story of Brock Lesnar's ultimate hunt.

28 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

UFC Heavyweight Brock Lesnar Hunts Alberta and Wins Title Match

Brock and his crew arrived on a Tuesday morning at the Lethbridge Airport to temperatures around the -30C mark.

Wind chill and blizzard-like conditions made the drive down to Milk River a slow one. After the pre-hunt review with his outfitter Tyler Brill (of Trophy Hunters Alberta) and his guides Chad Stryker and Rylan King, Brock and his crew got settled in their lodgings for the evening. Brock began preparations mentally and physically for his southern Alberta Mule Deer hunt the following morning.

Brock’s crew included Gordy Krahn, the editor of North American Hunter magazine and co-host of North American Hunter-TV; Brian Kelvington, the media manager at ATK (Federal Ammunition); Jeff Carter and Terry Boeder, producers with North American Hunter-TV; and a camera crew.

If there's one thing that hits home as inspirational about Brock, it's his perseverance and work ethic. Brock is simply a hard-working fellow who puts in the long, hard hours to achieve

success in even the toughest conditions. This guy's idea of a holiday is a gruelling four-day hunt on foot through the icy canyons of the Alberta outback in the dead of Canadian winter.

Brock Edward Lesnar was born in Webster, South Dakota. “I consider myself a blue-collar, redneck, outdoors kind of guy,” he says. He goes on to describe his youth: “Growing up I was a wrestler and a hunter, and first and foremost a farm boy.” Revealing the origin of his fighting spirit, Brock reflects: “... in South Dakota on the farm, it was family tradition, we hunted. We had our share of fights.”

extra mile and access remote areas while pursuing deer in Alberta, thereby maximizing his likelihood for a successful hunt. His extra efforts paid off, and his respect for the land, those around him, the big game and the spirit of the hunt brought both honour and completion to his expedition.

Brock's humble nature and tireless efforts helped give him the time, edge, and resources that are generally necessary to harvest extraordinary deer. Sure, guys get lucky sometimes, but Brock paid his dues in full and was no stranger to pain on this hunt. Offers to provide elements of luxury or to provide special treatment during his hunt were consistently declined by Brock who had really only one focus in mind - hunting big deer.

This was a gentleman of honour and respect in action, living out a life’s passion of trophy big game hunting.

On Day 1 of the hunt, Brock and his crew traversed the beautiful terrain of the southern prairies. As the snow storm was blowing, they focussed on the protected coulees in and around the Milk River. Brock passed on several decent Mule Deer bucks on his first day. He was after a wall hanger.

Even in death, the Whitetail strikes back Brock certainly enjoys a good fight: a successful amateur wrestler and three-time WWE champion, he left wrestling to purse MMA ( Mixed Martial Arts) and take on opponents in the challenging and now hugely popular UFC Octagon. But he tempers his fighting spirit with responsibility: as a fighter and an outdoorsman, Brock enjoys a reputation as a responsible person who puts in whatever effort victory demands. As an example of his mettle, Brock was willing to go the

On Day 2, while hunting Mule Deer, Brock and his guide Chad randomly spotted an impressive Whitetail buck, seemingly right out of the Alberta blue. At this point, the hunt was organized as a primary Mule Deer hunt so a Whitetail tag was not present in camp. Seeing this monster buck Thursday lit a fire on the back burner of Brock's imagination and confirmed that there are monster bucks on the loose in the Southern Prairies WMU (Wildlife Management Unit) and they were somewhere very, very close within range.

Disappointed, Brock kicked himself

for not purchasing the tags for a combo hunt at the outset of his excursion. As any recreational hunter knows, this was possibly a once-ina-lifetime kind of opportunity. Up to this point, Brock's imposing figure had drawn prompt affirmatives and agreement from the team at every turn - this was not the sort of fellow one says no to often. But Chad had a responsibility here. Brock deferred respectfully to Chad's authority, ethic, and professionalism as a licensed Alberta big game guide. Following protocol, Chad proceeded to get a hold of Tyler to describe the monster Whitetail and see about placing an order to procure a legal tag for the

Offers to provide elements of luxury or to provide special treatment during his hunt were consistently declined by Brock who had really only one focus in mind - hunting big deer. zone. Within a few short hours, Tyler was able to assure Chad and Brock a Whitetail tag and would be in camp by nightfall. After a five-hour drive by the outfitter, the Whitetail tag arrived in camp with the hope that the monster buck might be spotted again in the next two days of hunting.

On Day 3, Brock spotted three Mule Deer on the opposite side of a ravine. He scaled down a “huge cliff” and started “sneaking through the coulees” to approach a Mule Deer Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 29

buck. Gaining a clear shot, Brock took down the mature buck handily. Chad offered to pack the deer out, but Brock insisted he do it himself. The big American manoeuvred his way down the snowy ravine, shouldered 150lbs of meat, and hauled his pay load 500 feet back up the stark rock face of the coulee!

After his amazing Mule Deer experience (view the video clip at www.trophyhunters.ca), Brock's interest shifted to focus on Alberta Whitetail: Brock was eager to resume tracking the Whitetail buck he glassed Thursday.

Were it up to Brock, the ungulate would already be at the taxidermist’s - Brock had sighted in a clear shot when they first saw the big Whitey. Chad wasforced to ease Brock's 'Whitetail fevered' finger from the trigger and remind him they had no licensed tag for Whitetail on hand at the moment.

On Day 4, Saturday morning arrives.

Brock is determined to find the monster Whitetail and has a game plan in place.

The weather is colder than ever. Someone says, “We need to push if you want to get that buck, Brock.” Heeding these words, Brock gets up early to organize his gear. He knows he may never see an opportunity exactly like this again. Over breakfast, Brock tells the North American Hunter camera crew he is pairing up with Chad today and does not want to be slowed down. Brock and Chad gear up and head out after their big buck...alone.

Alberta, as many know, is prime territory for deer. Abundant food, water sources, and dense thicket provide an ideal habitat with perfect cover for deer against natural predators. Coming upon such a thicket near where they had previously seen the Whitetail, Chad begins pushing bush, trying to kick the deer out of hiding. Sure enough, after a short time, the monster Whitetail appears once more, presenting the opportunity for a clear shot. Seizing the moment, Brock lines up his sights, takes a deep breath, and takes down his prize animal. His Alberta hunt is a sweeping success.Excited, Brock approaches the deer with a huge grin.

"Now the real work begins": he packed out the Muley himself, and now it’s time for a solo retrieval of the Whitetail. But on his way out of the deep ravine, Brock suddenly loses his footing. He falls into a combat roll, and impales his arm directly on the trophy horns!

Walking along the Milk River basin, Brock and Chad decide to push some bush. After a no-see on Friday, they are unsure they will find the choice Whitetail they had glimpsed earlier.

River basin terrain in Southern

The massive tine punctures Brock’s forearm, piercing his skin and penetrating the tissue all the way to his bicep.

Even in death, the Whitetail strikes back. This would leave a gaping hole in Brock's arm, and a thick scar for a

30 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

reminder of of his brush with a monster Alberta buck. It could just as easily been Brock's neck or chest that was penetrated.

Chad rushes in to see how badly Brock is injured. Brock pulls his bloody arm from the Whitetail horns and squeezes it with his other hand. The wound is deep. He looks up at Chad and casually mentions he may need to have his arm examined; that he felt the point of the horn touch his bicep. They proceed to bind the wound on his lower arm temporarily with supplies from the First Aid kit. Hopefully there is no nervous tissue or arterial damage. Chad drives Brock directly to the hospital in Medicine Hat to receive proper medical attention for the injury.

There were no serious complications with the Whitetail-inflicted wound.

Brock recovered quickly (as he does from any fight) and is ready for another hunt. He says he'll be back to hunt the Alberta blue again some day. When Brock returns, the deer will be waiting.

For more information on hunting in Alberta, visit www.huntalberta.ca

Moon and Sunset Tables Moon Table Moon phases Top Ten in Alberta: NON-TYPICAL ELKfor Calgary, Canada - Alberta 2011 Lunation

New Moon

First Quarter

Full Mooner

Third Quarter

Duration

1098 1099 1100

27 Sept. 05:09 26 Oct. 13:56 24 Nov. 23:10

4 Sept.

3 Oct. 2 Nov.

12 Sept. 03:27 11 Oct. 20:06 10 Nov. 13:16

19 Sept. 07:39 18 Oct. 21:30 17 Nov. 08:09

29d 8h 05m 29d 8h 47m 29d 10h 14m

11:39 21:15 10:38

Sunrise / Sunset Table MDT Calgary Top Ten in Alberta: NON-TYPICAL ELK Date Rise Set

MDT Calgary Top Ten in Alberta: NON-TYPICAL ELK Date Rise Set

Sept. 1 Sept. 5 Sept. 10 Sept. 15 Sept. 20 Sept. 25 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 5 Oct. 10 Oct. 15

Oct. 20 Oct. 25 Oct. 30 Nov. 1 Nov. 5

6:50 6:56 7:04 7:12 7:19 7:27 7:35 7:37 7:43 7:52 8:00

8:22 8:13 8:02 7:50 7:39 7:28 7:16 7:14 7:05 6:54 6:44

8:08 8:17 8:25 8:29 8:36

6:33 6:23 6:14 6:10 6:03

MST Calgary Nov. 10 Nov. 15 Nov. 20 Nov. 25 Nov. 30

7:45 7:53 8:01 8:09 8:16

4:56 4:48 4:42 4:37 4:33

Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 31

Alberta offers some of the most exciting mule deer hunting in North America

Feature Article

Mule Deer Heaven Oliver Fischer “I know,” I responded as we watched a group of mule deer seek shelter within the coulee. The bitter Alberta winds began to intensify, whipping up snow all around us. Realizing that the weather was working against us, I thought back to the start of the hunt – and my first encounter with Alberta’s mule deer.

We had traveled only a few miles from Lucasia Ranch under cover of darkness when Wes suddenly stopped. “There, on the hillside. Do you see them? Must be at least 40 deer up there,” he whispered.

32 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

“That deer yesterday had real potential,” Wes reminded me as we continued to glass a distant coulee. “It had great mass and height, and it was definitely beyond the ears. It would have easily gone 165 to 175 in the record books.”

The faint early morning light struggled to break through the veil of darkness that enveloped the hillside, and I began to distinguish the multitude of shadows that moved in silence through the trees barely 50 yards away.

“Oliver, you might want to take a look at this one!” Wes called out.

I quickly trained my Zeiss compact binocular to where Wes was focused.

Even in the severely diminished list, the 10X optics clearly revealed a beautiful, big

mule deer buck lying down in full view at the edge of the trees. Although he was fully aware of our presence, he seemed completely unconcerned and made no effort to move off.

“What do you think?” I asked Wes. “Well, it’s a good buck, no doubt, but...”

“Yeah, I know,” I responded. It was only the first day of the hunt and, with the mule deer in rut and the cold weather, they would not be moving anywhere. II kept my eyes fixed on the big buck as we

drove off. Little did I know that he would become the central figure in my first Alberta mule deer hunt.

Mule Deer Mecca It was late November, and I was on the second day of a six-day fall mule deer hunt in Alberta. The outfitter for this trip was Tyler Brill of Trophy Hunters Alberta – Alberta’s largest and best –known outfitting company.

I received word that conditions for the

hunt could not have been more perfect when I arrived in Calgary. An early snow had blanketed the countryside – meaning that the resident mule deer would be far easier to spot as they searched for food and shelter. This news, along with photos of mule deer taken by recent guests, fuelled my excitement. We left after brief introductions among members of our small, four man hunting party.

Southern Alberta, from its towering Rocky Mountains to its sprawling foothills and wide-open prairies, offers visitors one of North America’s most diverse landscapes. The region is rich in heritage, beginning with the culture of its native peoples and the spirit of its first pioneers. Whether you decide to visit

one of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites or dig for dinosaur bones, southern Alberta has something for everyone.

For us, it offered world-class hunting for mule deer.

Our hunt would take us about two hours southwest of Calgary to the beautiful Porcupine Hills. It is an area of rolling landscapes about 60 miles long that merges just east of the majestic Canadian Rockies, whose snow-capped peaks dominated the scenery.

Upon our arrival in camp two days before, Tyler had introduced us to our hosts for the weeklong hunt, Wayne and Judy Lucas, owners of the 4,000 acre Lucasia Ranch. Situated in prime mule deer country, this century old working ranch offers up a glimpse of Alberta’s rich history. The ranch delivers all the luxuries any hunter could want – including evenings spent feasting on fine meals and filling up on robust conversation.

Round Two Goes to the Deer Our guide was the instantly likeable Wes Comstock. Beneath his infectious sense of humour lay a strength of character that was the embodiment of a true Albertan. Consequently, I was not surprised to learn that Wes has more than 50 mule

deer hunters to success.

To increase our chances of success – given the immensity of our hunting territory – his plan was to utilize a truck to cover as much ground as possible.

We would then engage in traditional spot-and-stalk to find and track the mule deer.

“Wes, your plan is working perfectly. I can’t believe how many mule deer we’re seeing,” I commented. I had never hunted in Alberta before, so I began to appreciate the well earned reputation this area had for producing world-class mule deer.

We had already spotted more than 300 mule deer does and at least a dozen 140-plus-class big bucks the end of our second day of hunting. Despite this, I remained fixated on the buck we had seen not once, but twice, on the first day.

The second time I saw him, it was the middle of the afternoon, and he was bedded down in full view. The shot would have been ideal – about 50 yards at most – a chip shot for my 300 WSM Browning and Winchester 180-grain Fail Safes. However, given the number of deer we were spotting, the group collectively decided to pursue other deer.

I remained deep in thought. With about an hour’s worth of sunlight left, Wes tuned to me. He suggested that it would be an ideal time to try for “my deer,” as the buck had now become known. I doubted that the deer would still be there.

“There they are,” Wes proclaimed when we arrived at the hillside. Sure enough, the deer were exactly where we had seen them previously. They were scattered throughout the dense bush on the hillside. However, there was absolutely no sign of my buck.

Wes planned to push through the bush, Alberta’s Professional Outfitter 33

forcing the deer to move toward a clearing on the right side of the hill.

Their exit would be simultaneously blocked from above and behind the clearing. If we all held to the plan, the deer would come right to me.

Each of us was certain of his role.

With the wind blowing around me, I waited in position. A mass exodus of deer began almost immediately from within the safety of the trees.

As their movement quickened, I zeroed in on them through the scope. There was still no sign of my buck, so I engaged the safety on my rifle and set it aside to take in a full panoramic view of the vents taking place before me.

As we all know, the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. Instead of moving to the clearing, the deer began to move to the top of the hill and were re-entering the security of trees. Time was working against us, and the last vestiges of daylight merged with the wind and snow to further limit visibility. I scanned the hillside in one last effort to locate the deer. As my field of vision grew, we soon found each other. There, high on the hillside about 250 yards away, the big buck was staring right back at me.

He then turned his back to me and began to move away. I quickly brought my rifle up and slid the safety off. My buck was surrounded by several does, so the ideal shot at the boiler room did not present itself. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the shot presentation was challenging, I was fully confident. I took one last look at the deer, sighted the scope on its spine at the base of the neck, and gently squeezed the trigger. The roar of the rifle caused the deer to scatter.

34 Alberta’s Professional Outfitter

I couldn’t locate any immediate sign of the buck, so I returned to the truck to wait for word from Wes. After several anxious moments, he returned.

Our subsequent hour-long search failed to turn up any sign of the buck. However, Wes explained that although the deer had scattered, they would likely return to the security of the hillside by morning.

We returned to the ranch where I dejectedly spent a restless night reliving every moment of the previous day’s hunt – along with the opportunity that had been missed.

The Knockout Punch “Are you ready to get your deer?”

Wes asked the next morning.

“They’re all back where they were yesterday.”

With visions of redemption at hand, I quickly gathered up my gear. We arrived back at the hillside in short order. Sure enough, the deer had returned and were resting among the trees. The first rays of daylight brought clarity to our search as we began to identify the deer. Everyone in our hunting party focused single-mindedly on the task at hand – finding my buck. We spotted him after only a few short moments.

Amazingly, he was lying down in the exact spot where we had seen him twice before.

I looked at Wes for confirmation, and without hesitation, he nodded.

The silence of the moment was broken only by the sound of my heart beating as I moved away from the others and eased into position. I slipped the lens cover off the Kahles 3-9X scope and brought my rifle up to rest against my shoulder. The buck suddenly rose up and turned

toward me, locking his eyes on mine.

Perhaps he sensed his own mortality. Without thinking, I lowered my rifle and admired the buck’s beauty. He then turned his head.

Hunting is about respect and tradition, so I whispered a prayer of gratitude as I centered the crosshair on him. I gently squeezed the trigger, and the Browning barked. I ejected the spent cartridge, engaged the safety and set my rifle aside.

I stood up, breathing in the crisp Alberta air, and approached my buck lying surrounded by a few curious does. As I accepted congratulations from the others, I smiled – I knew this deer and I had repeated a longstanding tradition that allows all of us to hunt forever.

If you are truly looking for a truly memorable mule deer hunt with an outfitter that offers professionalism and honesty, contact Tyler Brill at Trophy Hunters Alberta (www.trophyhunters.ca). They will gladly provide you with a free eight-page color brochure.