Here it is guys. As I'm sure some of you know, I'll be hunting in the Edmonton Bow Zonefrom Nov 24-29 this year. I want you to put yourself in my shoes.
I'm a FIRM believer in hunting ALL DAY during the rut, as the biggest buck I've ever seen was rattled in at 12:05 PM 3 years ago while I was huntingin Alberta. That guide was also a believer in hunting all day. Here's where my question comes in to play.
Last year I hunted with a different guide, the one I'll hunt with again this year. He is known throughout the Bow Zone as "the man" in this region for big bucks. He has the #2 typical bow killed whitetail (192" net)in all of Alberta! He knows this area! His walls are full of proof of his success.
However, he doesn't think sitting in the same stand all day is the best way to kill a big buck.Hehas his hunters dropped off (via electric quad) before first light, and picked up around 11:00 AM, brought back to the lodge for an awesome meal, then your second shower of the day (likes his hunters to shower 3 times a day), and dropped off at a different stand site around 1:00PMfor the evening hunt, until dark.
He says doing it this way keeps an area from becoming contaminated. It makes sense, but I see it as2 hours a day, times 6 days, equaling 12 hours of lost hunting time for the week.Am I looking at this the wrong way? Also, spending $4200 for the hunt, would yourequest to hunt the wayYOU want, or would you go with his "program"?
I hunted his way all week last year. I saw good bucks from all but one stand site. I hunted 11 different sites. I just look at the "down time" as equaling another days hunt, that's where I'm coming from.[&:]

Thats a tough one Jeff! I guess he knows his stuff and maybe thats enough right there to take his word for it. But then again If it was me (IMHO) I would think the opposite and hunt the same stand all day. Less going in and out means something too!

That is a tough one. The guy obviously has the place laid out well and has has personal success as well as his reputation. I think the issue you run into would be that he knows the area, produces results and ultimately feels that his rules and procedures help preserve the integrity of the area. I went on an Elk trip with the ex Father-In-Law and ran into the same philosophy and didn't get the animal I wanted, sure I got a decent 5x4 but I wanted a shot at a better animal.

Have you discussed it with him and raised your concern that you have seen great deer when they are in lunch and shower mode? I know I voiced my concern and the guide service we used in CO allowed us to hunt cows without the guide a couple of days. If he says no then you have a decision to make, do you hunt the way you want or trust his tecniques? I for one would rather get a lease somewhere and hunt my way but then again I have only been on one guided hunt and didn't walk away satisfied.

Early, I'm thinkin' that $4200 gives you the right to do what ever the heck you want . . .but with credentials like his, I'd givehis method a try for the first 3 days . . .if I have a tag after that, it's my way for the remainder of the trip. If I had only 3 or 4 days, it'd be a different story.

WOW, between a rock and a hard place. Sounds like he is the man and knows his stuff but then again all day hunts during the rut are very common practice. IMO bucks lose some of that edge during this time of year that could get them killed from making mistakes, and those magic between hours are great chances of scoring. Sounds like hunting all day might make tension so you will probbly be better off doing it his way. he has been very successful so keep that in mind. and the best of luck to you when you go. score a bigun

I would go with the man on this one. Just because you like to sit all day in one stand does not mean that stand is going to be hot anytime that day while you are there. The hottest location to be at may be one ridge over or on the other stand of timber.

If it is the rut an I am in an area that is not producing to me that area is cold an I need to go to the next good area that I feel like is my next best bet. If I get in that area an the deer are moving an seeing some nice deer I would have a hard time leaving.

So, there you go started out seeing the mans view an endedup typing myway into your view. Oh well, good luck I am not able to go right now.

Lmao AR!! Easy to do isn't it!

ANY time I walk into another man's woods.....I'm gonna defer to THE expert.

HIM

Thats solid advice.
Being the paying customer should give you the right to choose how you hunt but, at the same time, you lose the right to be upset at him or cast blame his wayif you didnt score. Not implying you would complain.
Personally, Idgo with his tactic.

I'm not going to argue with the man's success, but I don't agree with his way at all. Now, I'm a guide myself and I expect people to hunt my way when their with me.....and I let them know that up front. I have also turned guys away and told them that I wouldn't guide them because they wanted to hunt differently than I do. It saved a lot of conflicts.

Honestly Jeff, if you don't like the way he hunts, I would find a different outfitter. Its your money and I think you can find a reputable guide that hunts more to your style. Not to mention you're paying for a 6 or 7 day hunt and only getting 5 or 6 in the woods.