Sask, you hit the nail on the head...living in Calgary makes things tough! So many people and none wantt to give up their honey holes (and I understand why). It's happened to me personally, brought "friends" out to a secret pheasant spot once only to have them go out with more guy's and even piss off the landowners. It's just not worth it!!
So in reading, I have done (some) of what you have suggested, I guess I could do more evening scouting trips & shed hunting, but again it seems to come down to the big deer seem to be on land there is NO HUNTING on. I have some good access to some decent land,and I try to pattern them, but most of it has little agricultural land (mostly pasture). There is no set patterns to "my deer". I have seen some nice ones up in LLB but it's impossible to scout 5 hours from home (just wait till you have the little one). Not that hunting stops, but it's fun to be around the little guys. Can't wait till they get big enough to start coming with me. Anyhow, I'm going for one more kick at the cat. I'll rant more later on.

1 big question, do you focus on the field edges or the bush/timber?

How was your trip to Smokey lake? Did you see much?

Next year may be the year I finally tke you up on your offer. I should be high on my mulie priority too. We'll talk in the off season but my guess is your days in the bush will become shorter as you guy's get closer to bringing home the baby!! Hope all is good so far with the pregnancy!