Alberta - The Zone
 

I'll be getting my second chance for a Monster in the Edmonton Bow Zone this Nov 13th -18th. Is the area around Stoney Plains and Spruce Grove a good area to be hunting?
Last yearI hunted Nov 6th -13th and saw about 23 Whitetails, 5 of them were bucks but no shot opps. Is this about average orshouldI see more hunting the 3rd week, it was pretty warm last year?

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

Did you use a grunt call to tey and bring the bucks you saw in closer?

There are probably a fair number of B&C and P&Y bucks in and around that area. Having one walk under your tree stand is the trick. With a good outfitter and a good amount of time and a little bit of luck it may happen. Most important though, have fun, enjoy your hunt.

Robin down under

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

If I were you and if you have th choice try to hunt the white-tails in the Strathcona County east of Edmonton. There ARE some HUGE bucks in there. Beleive me. I am sure I talked to you earlier as well... Personally, I dont think a 160" Buck will be hard to come by. Lots of bleeting, and grunting. Get on two different grunts back and forth. And follow up with a small session of rattling. Hard. Good-Luck

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

Thanks for the input primetimeb, that's intresting.:)

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

Early...seeing that amount of bucks is about averadge. I have had some years where the bucks were like gophers all over the place, and others when I hardly saw one. It's very hit & miss and that's even harder when you are on a tight schedule as yourself. I think you are doing the right thing by doing as your guide is reccomending. He obviously has a good idea of the area and when it should produce the best. Weather does play a big part though (I don't care what anyone says) so depending on our winter, anything can happen.

I'll give you a tip though since you will be in a stand in the heart of Nov. with your bow. Go out and buy a hand warmer (the kind that wraps around your waist) and a ton ofhot packs. Wear very light gloves and this will keep your hands& body toasty all day long, guaranteed! This is a good way to stay on stand allweek long especially when the weather isn't co-operating. I can bet you'll thank me when you get back, my buddies can't believe I can stay still for hours but that method has worked wonders for me. Good luck and keep us posted on your trip!

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

Hi JD, nice to hear from you again. Yes, I have one of those hand muffs and a whole box of thoseGrabber throw away hand warmers. You can get ones that last 24hrs. I used them on a few days but it was fairly warm a few days as well last year. One day it was near 70!
That's why I'm glad I'll be hunting a week later than last year. I'll have a better chance for colder temps and maybe even a bit of snow! Just for the record I did hunt my six straight days from dark to dark, just got dropped off in the morn and picked after dark. I must be an outfitters dream.:DI just keep reminding myself of where I'm hunting andthat atANY moment I could be looking at the biggest buck of my dreams. That keeps me on stand all day.:)

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

You certainly have the right attitude early in!

I know from my limited experience that some hunters come to Alberta unprepared for how challenging a hunt here can be. What most don't realise is that hunting here is 90% mental and 10% physical. Dealing with the weather is easy, staying 100% focused and alert from dawn to dusk for 6 straight days is not.

I know of a few hunters that were nearly in tears by the second day because they hadn't seen "the buck" yet.

For my part, i hope it's frickin freezing this fall. I'm getting tired of brown hunting seasons.

Good luck this fall, hopefully your patience will pay off this year with the buck of a lifetime. If not, at least you'll have and excuse to come back next year;).

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

early here is a pic from my trailcam to get your blood stirn!!

If i may ask why ya hunting so late??..........best archery time in the bow zone is late sept Oct



AL

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

Nicholal, I'm hunting at that time because that's when my oddsof seeing bucks is the best not to mention most bucks are killed at this time, during the rut. Last year I saw thee deer one day and all three were bucks but no shot opps. Have you ever hunted in the Zone?
There is almost no hunting pressure in this area andI've seen they are real sensitive. Is your thinking that in early season the deer are on regular feeding paterns (crop fields)and are more predictable-vulnerable?Your thoughts are appreciated. Before I forget, that is an awesome buck pic you got.A chance at a buck like that is what I come to Alberta for.:)

RE: Alberta - The Zone
 

Yep early!!

If your paying for a GUIDED HUNT THEN YES!! THE EARLIER THE BETTER By early I mean once there velvet is gone. I'm not a velvet lover so I'd even pass on the guy in the pic until he's rubbed off

WHYI SAY THIS IS THAT
1) your guide should/would have a few "big guys" patterned
2) Less pressure
3) Warmer more comfortable hunting
4) more cover to hide in on stand
5) Patterened buck will stick to home group of doe's until they are bred then start to Rome the range. So this give you a longer period to stick to a given area

I have a different opinon of what a guided hunt is. To me a guided hunt is not dropping you off in the bush at a blind/stand. But showing you WHY you are hunting that particular stand by showing you cam picture or sheds of past year that were picked up. When you show up you should expect to know the caliber of bucks in the area.....PROOF.........NOT JUST WORDS.

I'M NOT KNOCKING HOW OTHERS DO THERE BUSSINESS . jUST STATING HOW i'D LIKE TO SEE IT DONE.

AL