ORIGINAL: JD IN ALBERTA
I wrote a novel and my computer crashes...here's my take:"
1. You made a huge mistake when you didn't plan properly for a whole year (key).
2. Guide was a goof by the sounds of it by giving you a p.o.s.
3. You should have sighted in prior to heading out for your peace of mind and to make a ethical shot. Could have been a new world record you were going to shoot at. Do you really care what you are using? I do!!
4. Food & lodging fair at best...no harm done.
5. Most hunting up here requires you sitting all day in a blind (no heater usually) boring yes, but the pay off can be huge. Deal with it or go for a walk.
6. If the deer aren't moving and you push them, you might push them right off the land you are hunting. Not justifying the guides motives but if he ain't willing to work for you, I'd be giving him ..it!! It's up to you to speak up as well. Did you say anything to him? Just curious as nothing has been mentioned about you asking, reccomending him get off his lasy but and do something.
7. Weather up here is usually too hot or cold and too much snow or not enough. You just picked a bad week. Trust me, the last week was -30 and not fun at all. Actually you did ok, just not the best scenario but tough to do when you book a year in advance. Bad luck!!
8. Saw few deer, really can't complain. Sometimes I see 0 deer after sitting for a few days. Welcom to Alberta hunting, frustrating and great all at the same time.
9. DD you have a problem...it's addiction to big Alberta Whitetails. Some may call you stupid for spending $$ and others may sympathize. I know it well, I'm just lucky enough to live here. But it still gets me every year. I get mad but somehow I want to put myself through it all over again next season. Tough when you bring a bud and it doesn't work as planned.
Lastly, you are in a bad spot. You have killed a nice deer. Subconsciously, you want (and can get) another. Unfortunately it's not easy and may take a lifetime to achieve. Even with an outfitter! It's like going to Vegas and hitting a jackpot the first time...not hard but chances of doing it again are slim. Take your memories of past hunts, enjoy. Take the last ones and learn from them. Look for a new guide, research & get lots of references!!! Don't give up DD...but don't plan on shooting another 160+. Just dream of it, they do come true.
No disrespect to anyone on this post.
JD points well taken and I respect your view however I am not sure you read all the post that I made so out of respect I will try to address most of your points.
1. We did plan properly this was our 5th time to hunt Canada. I did make a mistake with loosing my rifle case key however Im sure Im not the ONLY one that has happend to.
2. The guide is not what I would call a "goof" however he is a lazy guide and outfitter ...in the past he has not HAD to resort to a plan B and it was obvious to us after the 3rd day he had no paln B
3. As I explained in the post I would have LOVED to have been able to sight my borrowed rife in but when we arrived it was late in the afternoon on Sunday and by the time we arrived where we would be staying it was way to late to try and make it to his property to shoot ..as you well know it gets dark there about 5.15.. thus why I ended up shooting a decoy in the middle of the day to make sure it was zero'ed ..was the best I could do under the circumstances..it was either that or hike back out a mile during the middle of the day and shoot it ..and hike back in ...
4. Food and lodging wasABOVE average
5. We suggested several times that he get out and scout some for us while we were in the stand hunting ..his excuse was that the snow was to deep and his truck was subject to get stuck which would result in someone having to walk about 3 miles to get a farmer to come pull us out ...he scouted from a warm truck...plus its hard to push deer off your land when it appears there are no deer there ..we were in area 508 close to Lake George ..
6.Ive set the box many a many hours so you do not have to convince me of that ...however I knew something was not right after the 3 rd day of seeing almost nothing and no fresh tracks to speak of when hiking in and out to my stand.
7. Weather was not that bad ..there was snow obviously but the temps where only in the 10's ...
8. You and I both know that when the rut is in full swing we are going to see some deer if there are any deer there ..and I do not think snow will keep a buck from moving when he has poon tang on his mind !
9. As for an addiction ..yes I admit that ..I love hunting Canada ..the people I have met are very friendly ...beautiful country ...and a GREAT all around experience most the time.
10. As for the hunting a 160 or bigger ... I was not going to shoot anything that I would not have mounted ...a big 150 class 8 pt maybe ...I have a 185 so why shoot anything smaller unless he is exceptional ..why not let him grow?
dd