RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Skeeter, ya it WAS snowing last week but that was only for the day. We had another warm one on Sat. that resulted in NO deer action again[:@]. Man am I getting a little mad...I've never seen such little action in my spot since I started hunting it. The whole river valley was flooded early in the spring but it shouldn't be affecting movement now. The nice thing is, my patience was at it's end and all I heard was pheasants crowing. So...I got out of my stand, grabbed my trusty 20 ga. and put a stalk on some birds. I have to say it was as exciting as sneaking up to deer. I ended up getting within 30 yds of them when I made a nice double. Bad thing is one of them landed in a thick bush full of thorns, and even after 20 min's of looking I couldn't find him:(Man I hate that! Good thing is I found the other one and he was "cock of the block" Big bird with 30+ bars on his tail. If I didn't already have 2 mounted, he'd be at the taxidermist. Instead he's marinating in the fridge:)I'll get some pics up this week.

JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

here's some pics...promising start?

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

bird #1

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

no deer but bird #2...cock of the block! 30+ bars on him!

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No antlers but plenty of feathers...a good day in my books!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Way to go JD, looks like a tasty meal!!! I haven't been pheasant hunting for a few years. Use to go a few times a year with my roommates from University but being I have to drive 4 hours one way to hunt them and other hunting endeavours it just hasn't happened Lately. Boy do I love hunting them tight flushing birds though...usually the first one that flushes I need O2 and a defibrillator just to get a normal heartrate back...lol.

Maybe the flood caused them to find a better place to live right now?Warm weather happers the activity but you should still see movement at the peak times, especially the am considering all the frost we have been having!!

I have been out with the smokepole a bit lately but nothing yet that I can nudge the safety on. Last evening I had6 mule deer (2 small fork horns and the rest women/childern), 23 whitetails(7 bucks - 4 raving d's, 2 wanna be's and 1 used to be)move by theblind..otherwise a slow night..LOL;). Actually it is a great spot tucked right up to where the acreages and farmlands meets, I am hopingfor 1 of 2 bucks I have been scouting this year. I also know that once the rut begins I will see more bucks, last fall saw several almost their bucks that seem to move in. I suspect fromthe Rifle zones which is not far away and very open. My land is 3 quarters with alfalfa bordering bush consisting of mostly poplars trees butchaulked full withwillows that our deer really seem to love. Not the same as getting away as I get a few blasts from the train passingthrough the town justNEbuthey less than15minsfrom my house I won't complain.

Best of luck and keep going as you just never know when your fortunes will change. Not to mention a cock in the hand is better than 2 in the bush...wait a minute......[&:]! Oh what i mean is getting a pheasant is better than watching the riders lose miserably to them cowtown red guys!!! hehe

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

JD those are some beautiful birds there. I just hope we get some Deer hunting weather soon!;)

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

JD, as early in said...those sure are some beautiful birds. I sure like them smoked over some mesquite.:Dhmmmm hmm good!

On another note...this morning I awoke to 34 degrees FYah hOOOOOO!!:)but it was still shorts and a tee shirt for me lol

early in... the time is getting shorter......:D

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Thanks guy's! I love hunting pheasants as much as deer so it's great to come home with something. Once again it's unseasonably warm up here 20+C.

DoubleA, where abouts in the states do you live?

JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

LOL on the temp JD, I was noticing your not so thick clothing in the recent bird pics. I've been reading the post here, I'm headed for our annual trip to the Lake of The Woods on Fri.Temps dosen't favor much for deer hunting!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Funny enough...I bought some Wrangler camo shorts in Vegas a while back for fun (and a smokin deal $5) Looks like I'll be putting them to use this year:)Although the legs may not hold up well to the thorns & thistles[8D]
JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

JD, sorry when I said 34 degrees, it wasnt official...that was what my ol Ford thermometer said this morning at 7am. It was a cold morning for us though...sorta refreshing ya know:D. I live just below San Antonio, Texas........God's Conutry!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Yes doubleA our time is fast aproching and I'm PUMPED!:DAs I said we just need the right temps. But we will have to play the hand that's been delt us. I'm real confident and that's important. We'll be insome of the best Whitetail country anywhere! Good luck on your hunt and keep us posted.

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Just hold on Halloween is coming and itcan neverbe nice for the kiddie's candy grab it seems.

JD, those are some great pics you have inspired me Ithink I will start packing a camera on my trips to the blind. I snapped a few pics when I set up earlier but being my good camera isn't back from getting repaired from the elk trip mishap, I have gone without. I just may have to take the crappy one for the time being!

Here is a picture of my home away from home...it also may become my new home by the end of the season!!!!;)

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Here is my main window a nice little meadow/staging areathat is surrounded with willows before the deer filter out to the alfalfa fields bordering these woods. I have setup so I am as far back as possible (100 yards) from the fence line which acts as their mainpath to and fro. Also directly in front of the blind is a cutter trail (50 yards through a smallsaddle)that the bucks use moving out of the willows/brush bedding areato the NE of my blind location, the majority of the does bed directly in front of the blind (which is N) but actually enter about 50 yards to the East as the 5 strandfence causes grief for the fawns. I also have a small shooting lane trimmed to theWest which is the backside of a large hill on the alfalfa. I like to hunt deeper in transitionbut this area just doesn't allow it, this is considered big bushfor the ML zoneas most the cover in the surrounding areas is small bluffs, sloughs, wind rows, etc.

Nothing to really look at but hopefully I can get a few snaps of some game in the coming sits. I am also bored, can't hunt till the later this week (provided the wind cooperates) & well this just keeps a guy going.






Best of luck to all in your upcoming hunts...keep us posted!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Just alittle guy mount taken at my cabin in the forest fringe a few years back. Needed something to add to the decor, so figered what the heck...;).Like I mentioned the wife don't care for them hanging around the house...boo! I now have my mans room finished and hope to start adding to the decor yearly. I am doing a Euro on the moose I took this fall and a good whitetail would be a great start.

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Damn nice buck skeeter, that's what I'm talk'n about!;)

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Skeeter...your area looks alot like mine except I'm in deeper the big trees. I always thought about using a blind but never really took the plunge. I love the vantage with tree stands, but there are some spots a blind would be ideal. Have you used it for bow hunting? Nice buck too! As for the wife not liking them on the wall, tell her to accept you the way you are. When I was dating my now wife, I brought her in to my place and said see "see those" pointing to the deer on the wall. They will always be part of my life, accept them and you will be part of my life as well (no lie). She did, and since then we have had many compliments on them as well as my other mounts. I find as long as they are done well they really do compliment a room. We have had a few people come over who don't like it but they don't stay long;). I always say to my wife, if and when I leave this earth she'll look at those animals and see a part of me in each one, as she recalls thestory behind every hunt that Ialways talkedabout. She truly enjoys them then! I actually took a great horned owl to my taxidermist last night:)Can't wait to get him back!!
JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Thanks fellas.

JD I have bowhunted in a similar blind & took afew animalsout of them. This one has a smaller shooting ports on 3 sides with the shoot thru screen but it to low for me comfortably to shoot on even terrain with the bow. The larger zippered flaps can be tethered down and this is what I'd do with this blind if using during archery. The blind pictured is a Ameristep Doghouse it works for 2, we are hoping to possibly video a couple of kills this year in the ML zone so I needed a bigger blind and building a permenant didn't make sense as I picked this thing up for 100 bucks on close out sale. This area pictured you can't tree stand hunt it effectively the trees are not large enough diameter for my 235lbs frame and the ones thatwould work aren't situated in the best location. Howeverthe real problem isI have deer bedding within 100 yards of the fenceline not bumping them would be near impossible, this wayI can slip in quietly and watch things come to life. It doesthe job at keeping the elements out which is the main concern and deer really don't pay any attention to it I have found. Ipicked up a snowcover for itthis spring off ebay...so if we ever get that white stuff I can adapt. I have treestands but it seems everywhere I hunt a pop up blind has more potential, this is the first one that truly does what it says pops up in a minute but better yet tears down in relatively the same amount of time. Your right though a treestand does offer a great vantage, it also is more practical for archery..if possible!

As to the wife, I am working on her. Got her to want a bear rug for the LVR in front of the fireplace, so I haven't lost the battle yet. I really can't complain she doesn't baulk at my hunting to much and lord knows she is left holding the bag a lot this time of the year. So Ichoose to appease her in this regard...at least for moment.:D

PS: Calling for the possibility of flurries on the 31st with a high of 4! Yeap that halloween does it every year it seems...although the weatherman are not reliable either!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Good Luck on your hunts. If all goes as plans we'll be in the Canadian woods at the crack of dawn Sun. morning hoping for a glimpse of that monster Canadian whitetail! Hope the weather cooperates, looks like the end of next week will be the best.

Good Luck

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Hey Skeeter in Sask and JD in Calgary,

Hows it goin? I got a questiion for you guys.
I just saw a website advertising hunting "Canadian Whitetails" in Missouri.
Not only that but it is a canned hunt. My question is which province, Alta or Sask is sellin off our gene pool on the hoof. The thought of a big cow faced praire buck behind a fence for target practice just aint right.
So which province do I write to to make my disspleasure known?
Thanks in Advance

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

I'm not sure...probably both! I know of deer farms here that raise the deer to send down south, but thats been ongoing for quite some time I'm guessing. I wouldn't sweat it, they will never be able to replicate a true AB/Sask. hunt in the same territory and weather conditions that make our deer hunts legendary. Any one who truly enjoys hunting would come up here to try their luck at a brute and enjoy the entire experience. As alot of guy's on this thread and others would probably agree with. Just my $0.2:D
JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Cant replicate hunting a whitetail on the open prairies. Be prepared for fast and excitintg action, as you should not have trouble finding bucks. Long shots are often necessary. If you push bush try to grunt the bucks to stop before shooting, nothing worse than a wounded deer.

Like JD just said though, a raised bucks shipped off somewhere to hunt would be none compared to hunting the Alberta/Sask.

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Well, another warm Sat. resulted in no deer:(. That means the bow is officially retired for the year. Time to pull out the 7mm:D:DI did however get another pheasant and a sharptail. Also found a little 4X3 skull...pics to follow. Anyone else have any luck?
JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

JD I hunted dark to dark Sat and today without seeing a single deer if you can believe it! I think this warm weather here in SE Pamust have something to do with it. Weather was decent on both days except for the temps. I've found good rubs and scrapesin my area but seeing little movement the last several times out.I know the nice 8pt I got a pic of is somewhere around I saw him on opening day but too far. I hope the temps are colder in Alberta next week! But if not I'll still be PUMPED.:D

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

No luck here either. I had a sit on saturday night got the perfect wind for my spot. I ended up seeing one of the bucksI am hunting but no shot was offered and later passed a decent 140 class 4x. I am not to worried but wondered whyI only saw a few does that evening???[&:]

Weather is turning somewhat,they are forecasting the possibilty of snow tonight(rainy lightly all evening...real nice taking the kids out I'll tell you) and weds for here. Single digit daytime highs for the long range with some good frostat night...so things are looking up at this point.

early in, You leave this weekend? Best of luck to you!

JD, when does your rifle season get going? Congrats on more feathered fare, at least your bringing home something for your efforts!! Good luck to you. Keep them pics coming form AB!!!!!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Seeing plenty of bucks here the past few days but nothing over that 140 range. Going to be some really nice deer on my land next year unless someone takes em down. One really wide 4 pointer he looked to have a good 20inch spread on him but pretty spindley yet. Another decent looking 5 with pretty good mass but no spread and lacking some tine length. I have seen 2 great bucks last week early in the morning scouting around but i have yet to meet them since the season has opened. I have really noticed a difference from last week to this week with regards so buck's patterns. I scouted every day last week at first light and in the evening. The only bucksi saw were at very first light and at dusk however this week the boys are begining to let themsleves go a bit. Monday i rattled in a lilttle gaffer then headed home once it was good and light. I only had 5 miles to drive home and spotted 5 bucks right near the road on the way home. Never saw anything like that last week which brings me to believe the boys are starting to get love sick a bit. I just find it fascinating how some bucks you will never see in daylight but once the rut comes they will be trottin' across a field with their nose to the ground in the middle of the day. Oh what love will do. The 2 bucks i am after i probably only have this week to kill them because they are pretty close to outfitters who are briningin in americans on monday so hopefully i can gitter done tonight. Good luck to all you boys.

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Skeeter...rifle season starts this Thursday (for me). In the zone I hunt it's only Thursday to Sat. hunting, as to re-populate the big bucks. Most of the province starts today though!!
JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Hia, best of luck getting one of them bucks. Also good news about seeing all the bucks up your way. Any chasing does or just roaming? I saw a decent one tailing a ways back this weekend and the larger bucks are not finding their summer pals to be much use lately...all signs of what is on the horizon. Forecasting up to 15cm of snow for here tonight but it appears pretty spotty elsewhere in the province. They are also calling for the chance for more whitestuff this weekend.

JD, you heading out this weekend or waiting? Rifle opened in the forest fringe here yesterday (31st), doesn't open up till 15th for the remaining portions though. Where I am hunting close to home she is open Oct 1 through Dec 3 for smokepole, so hoping to get out once or maybe twice this week and give herhell thelater portion of next week. May even head up north with the long stick next weekend..we'll see! Best of luck!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Skeeter, Yup, I'm heading out Sat. but also taking some time off work on the 10th for a week and a half. Hey I was wondering about that blind you use, do you set it up every time yo go out or do you keep it there? JDinAB

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

JD, inthis spot I spike it in and leave it. You certainly could though, like I said it goes up very quickly and down with relative ease.It came in a small backpack and doesn't weigh much (i think 7lbs), so packing it into a location would be no problems. FYI, the snow cover is a slip fit that is meant to be spiked or tied down to the underlying blind. Like I said for the money it really is a good blind and I just found out they make the shoot thru screens for the larger windows as well, just don't include them.

Snowed last night here, woke up to 2" of the white stuff but it is melting as it is hovering around 0 but continuing to fall at this point. Calling for much the same in the coming days, would be nice if it dropped and stayed below 0...as it is really nothing more than a mess at this point. I hate slush, freeze, thaw...makes for a long bumpy winter!!!

Best of luck to you this weekend and next week!!!!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Bucks were moving tonight in total saw 11, including a newbie to the scene mature 5x5who tempted me at first but after close inspection I deceided to pass the150 class.The does returned as well, so I am pleased. Now all I have to do is wait till next week unfortunately due to lifes other requirements. The bucks didn't seem to concerned with the does but you could see the nervousness in the dinks when the bigger ones happened upon the scene. 3 of the 11 were mature animals sporty the start to thick neck syndrome...so love in the air is drawing near.IMO not much better than seeing a buck with what appears to be only shoulders holding his head on top of the body.[8D]


Best of luck to all!! Keep us posted to what you see or if you get!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Good...looks like the rut is near:)Time for me to pull out the rattling antlers and scents. Here's a couple of pics from last week.

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as it laid

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another fine looking Southern Alberta pheasant

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Howdy guys... Skeeter I wondered where you been hiding out. Man I am gonna be selfish and ask you to post so more pix of that beautiful country up there. I love the buck in cabin.. JD great photos !

I have had my two best memories of hunting outside of my stateof Idahoin Alberta of 2002 bowhunting whitetails with Youngfart and Saskatchewan hunting sheds with Hia last spring.. I love that country you all live in....I'd move if my wife would go for it!

I hope your season is going well. Best of luck guys up North..

Troy

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Hey shed how's your season going??? Same to you on the rest of your season and please come share your pics with the canucks!!!! A few pages back there is a picture clue of where I've been hiding and plan to till Dec 3rd if required;)! I'm trying to get pics butthe kids cheapy sucks goats,took a number of pictures the past few sits and not one that was even poor...no zoom and 1 MP what can you expect[&:]? I am told mine should be back soon. FYI, was involved ina little quad gainer off a log bridge at elk camp this sept. No I wasn't driving nor was BEER involved(well at the time of the splash anyways:D)!!!!

JD, I am thinking the same thing grabbing the horns and doing some tickling in the bush to the north of my blind. Might try that next week during mid day to see if I can't roust something up. Also been thinking about taking a little break from the smokepole and heading up north with the long stick. Kind of torn as I know a couple of dandies are living close by but I get a little bit of the wandering eye thing happening if I sit one spot to often...really tough fighting the urge!!! Great pics and best of luck this weekend!

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

PS: anybody have any tips on sitting one spot for extended periods. I don't find it bad sitting in the evenings for 3 hours but at times find myself wandering to other places in my head. Unfortunately I have always been the type to find the spot wintin the spot so I usually silk around scouting while hunting it maintains my focus I suppose but provides relief from the same view. Here I just can't do that and well I pretty much have walked it all to the enth degree. Once the rut kicks in I will be sitting dawn till dusk onthe days I can hunt and want to stay put/focused. I have a couple of good books in my blind already and a comfortable seat now. Thinking about taking a walkman radio just to keep tabs on the weather and really kill time when required. I plan on taking in a sleeping bag next week to keep me warm on those nippy days, also pack in lots of little snacky foods and H20. Is their anything else one can do? I know many of you sit the entire day in your stands or location...so whats your secret?

Thanks,

Restless in Saskatchewan...LOL:D

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Hey skeeter, that all day thing is intresting. I usually hunt all day in my spot because of what's involved. Half hour drive, 45 mins to get in and set up and I like to be in around an hour before daylight.All day is a must during the rut! This is demanding. I like to break the day up in three parts. Early, middle and late. Four hours each. I tell myself I have only one hour leftin the middle stay and this gets me mentally ready for the late stay as an example.I tend to nod off but these are quite brief. But bless the safty harness anyway, you never know!! That's how I get through a full day. Seeing deer helps BIGTIME.;)

RE: Canadian Whitetails
 

Early in that is a good tip on breaking the day up...thanks. I have hunted all day its justI rarily sit in one spot the entire day. Rut or near it will be the only time I will sit morning/noon/evening at this location, it isn't like I am in deep transtion here so I know the chances of a big boy cruising by are slim without something else on his mind;)!

Most correct action makes the hoursfly by &no action makes the minute hand stand still.

Thanks againand good luck on your upcoming bowhunt!!!!!