Hiawatha, I disagree that the deer down south are smaller. This province is blessed with big deer all over it and down south while it receives more pressure being easier access, close to major cities and so on, it also provides excellent nutrients that make antler growth a premium. An example a deer in the forest might take 5 years to grow the horns a farmland deer can do in 3. I would say the forest fringe(like they area you live/hunt in) constistently brings in large bucks, these areas butt up to rich farm/hay lands with large tracks of bush areas to allow these deer to mature, which offers the best of both worlds. That being said some of the biggest deer I have seen either on the hoof or down have come from the central/southern farmland zones.

Of course non residents/outfitters (besides indian reserves) are restricted to the forest area's, so James you'll most likely be hunting in the bush or very close to it. Let me also say this is the main reason baiting is used in this industry, the areas these outfitters hunt have good numbers of whitetails and being the remoteness are allowed to reach maturity which offers an excellent chance at trophy class deer but they are somewhat lower than most areas in this proivince for actual numbers. Baiting is an equalizing factor as the government doesn't allow the outfitter to operate in choice hunting lands, like other provinces such as Alberta. Baiting is very much an involved technique, constisting of hard nose scouting, planning & preperation most of which is not seen by the client who shows up and sits one of many stands during his visit. It certainly isn't easy by no means it is both time and money consuming. Of course it is your choice wether you want to hunt with baiting employed, if not then don't come to Saskatchewan as 99% of the outfitters use this technique, but please don't assimulate it to a shooting as it is much more involved then one may think. A technique much similar to rattling, calling or scent being used to up your chances at both seeing and harvesting deer. Being I worked in the business I know what is involved and also had some clients share these feelings when they arrived, however by the time they left they knew it was anything but a gravytrain and where very appreciative of the efforts that were put forth to make their hunt a success/goodtime. As such a high % return to hunt for years to come.