Alberta Hunting

mmattockx

mmattockx

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Done with sheeple
The thread about moving to Alberta by Canadianbiggame got me to thinking about how much hunting we have in Alberta.

I am a rookie hunter with two big game seasons under my belt and 3 deer to show for them. I hunt in WMU 162 (east of Hanna) for deer because a buddy has landowner contacts out there and there are generally lots of deer and fairly low pressure on them. The season only runs from the first wednesday to the last saturday of November, and only wed-sat during that time. I really only get maybe 4-5 days of hunting in during the whole season because of the short season and restricted days.

I would like to add some more hunting to my season, both in terms of the animals I hunt and the areas. Where do the experienced Alberta hunters go to add variety and days to their hunting here? Due to work and family commitments, I prefer to make day trips or at most weekend long trips instead of heading out for a week or more at a time.

Thanks,
Mark
 
Well Mark, first thing go get your hard copy of the AB regs, read it, read it, and read it again. Then do the same with your draw book. It's surprising how many seasoned Alberta hunters have absolutely no idea of the opportunities we have available to us.
Look over the info on "my wild alberta", compare your current priorities with the 2010 draw results, (and the 2009, 2008) and you'll know what your DRAW options are for next year. (don't forget general tags)
Take those options, factor in other tags you can get in the zones you can be drawn in; then peruse google earth and use this link:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0ASMww1Ddr0NGVmOWVhNmYtMTVlNy00YTM3LTgwMzQtOGVjMzViYzA0ZjVj&hl=en&authkey=CNC-9sUL

The link will add an overlay on your google earth of all the WMU boundries in the province....way cool.
Now you have to decide what you want to hunt. Once you choose your hunts, (man I love our fair draw system), then choose your wmu's, start making a list of land you want permission on, use this program to track down lease holders:
http://xnet.env.gov.ab.ca/imf/imf.jsp?site=rec_access
That's if you're hunting lease (crown(YOU'RE)land). For private land bing Alberta Counties, track down appropriate county maps and that'll tell you who owns what. A phone book will put you in touch. Then, of course there's the open land we all share, and are fortunate to both do so, and have so very much.

Get yourself permission on primo land you've already mapped from googleearth, get your gear together, and all you've left is to work up a load with the calibre you feel is best for your quarry. There's a million more things but you'll figure it out, and that's part of the fun.
We've already started pondering our hunts for next year, and I've been looking over two wmu's I've never hunted in before for a sheep tag I've got coming up. Of course I have my "old honey holes" for certain hunts and species, but seeing some new country is part of the adventure. And all that's just ungulates! There's also birds, bear, and turkey! And that's not counting cougar, coyotes, and gophers, if you like.
Lastly, when you get to be my age, make sure you pass on what you've learned.
Have fun and best of luck.
 
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