CFB suffield hunt

thebutcher

thebutcher

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Anyone been down to the CFB suffield hunt yet this year?

I'm heading down there with my uncle next week and was curious how the hunt went and where the Elk are hanging out.?

This is my first time hunting there and 3rd year hunting at all so I'm fairly new to the game and particularly with elk, anyone have any advice or important info that one might need to know other than the info sent out by fish and wildlife.
 
I was out last year and they can be anywhere on the base. I have a buddy out there that would let us know where they were, so that helped a great deal, The base is a vast area, so be prepared to put a lot of miles on a day finding them. The range officers were also helpful with driving them from the no go zones when they would hold up where you couldn't shoot. Make sure you follow all the range rules given at the orientation and follow the map given to make sure you don't wonder off into the parts of the base your not allowed to be in.
 
In the 4 days we were out there we just about covered every square Km of the base, so make sure you have a full tank of fuel before heading out. If you head north up the highway about 20km and go in gate 11 I believe it is (second gate on the map heading north) that is where I would start.They seemed to be in the N.E. corner of the base most mornings.
 
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The good thing about hunting on the base is that you can stay in your truck and drive around till you find them. I'll give my buddy a call tonight and see if he's working on the base tomorrow and give you guys a heads up where they are if he see's some. PM me your phone # if you want and I'll text you where they are if he sees anything. Cell service is spotty depending on where you are so you may have a hard time getting my text.
 
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I had a suppl. tag for the last hunt last year. As stated, it's a Huge area and finding them is half the battle. Get to the briefing early so you can sit and snooze rather than stand in line in the cold while all the latecomers do their paperwork. Let the indy 500 folks tear out after the briefing and then take your time. Take shooting sticks. This is the only prairie I've ever seen that isn't overgrazed and consequently I couldn't lay down to shoot. (grass too tall)
 
Suka said:
I had a suppl. tag for the last hunt last year. As stated, it's a Huge area and finding them is half the battle. Get to the briefing early so you can sit and snooze rather than stand in line in the cold while all the latecomers do their paperwork. Let the indy 500 folks tear out after the briefing and then take your time. Take shooting sticks. This is the only prairie I've ever seen that isn't overgrazed and consequently I couldn't lay down to shoot. (grass too tall)
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Yes, shooting stick is good advise.
 
I was out for the first week this year (cow) and the pressure factor was way higher than in past years (I have been out there on 6 different hunts with friends/family). Hundreds of FN hunters show up some days and it has had an impact on the elk herd. We saw many many wounded cows the first morning out and we were the first licensed hunters allowed in for cows. We did get 4, one we put out of its misery as it had been shot up the day before (lots of meat loss). Every bull in that herd was injured already (5 or 6 young bulls). Remember it is a cull and not to have high expectations of hunt quality. The meat is very good and why we went, couldn't pass up on 2 elk for $40. I would avoid the SE corner first day, its dangerous as guys lose their brains when elk are around. I would head into the NE myself, better hunt quality and much safer. Follow the rules, stay out of the line of fire if in the SE, and enjoy it if you can (I recommend avoid the crowd). The military guys are great, I think this is a opportunity we will lose sooner or later due to bad hunter behaviors but hopefully I will be wrong. Just wish everyone would follow the rules and refrain from flock shooting. Good luck.
 
TikkaWSM said:
I was out for the first week this year (cow) and the pressure factor was way higher than in past years (I have been out there on 6 different hunts with friends/family). Hundreds of FN hunters show up some days and it has had an impact on the elk herd. We saw many many wounded cows the first morning out and we were the first licensed hunters allowed in for cows. We did get 4, one we put out of its misery as it had been shot up the day before (lots of meat loss). Every bull in that herd was injured already (5 or 6 young bulls). Remember it is a cull and not to have high expectations of hunt quality. The meat is very good and why we went, couldn't pass up on 2 elk for $40. I would avoid the SE corner first day, its dangerous as guys lose their brains when elk are around. I would head into the NE myself, better hunt quality and much safer. Follow the rules, stay out of the line of fire if in the SE, and enjoy it if you can (I recommend avoid the crowd). The military guys are great, I think this is a opportunity we will lose sooner or later due to bad hunter behaviors but hopefully I will be wrong. Just wish everyone would follow the rules and refrain from flock shooting. Good luck.
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Ya, it was a gong show out there last year as well. We took 1 injured cow last year that had been shot a couple times and there was a lot of lost meat, but figured may as well finish it off. We had a few rounds wiz by us while we were out gathering it up. Be careful out there! I got back to the fire hall the first day and there were car trailer with 4 or 5 elk on them that were injured animals put down by base officials and given to the FN. I talked with one guy that didn't even go hunt and took 3 elk home.
 
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That's why I say head NE, or into the middle of the base. We also generally skip the first day but didn't this year which was alright as we headed right into a remote section of the base. We almost got hit by a guy shooting an old open sight rifle at an elk running right in front of us (like 75 yards from us, about 250 from him) 2 years ago so do everything in our power to avoid the crowds.
 
woodchopper said:
yes the Range Control Patrols want to be able to spot any hunters, who may have strayed outside the given boundries.


and the wearing of Blaze Orange is not going to protect you from idiots.
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No offence woodchopper, but in one breath you are saying Hunter orange will make you more visible and in the other will not protect you from idiots....

Of course, there are degrees of idiot, but if I was heading out to a field to pick up a harvested animal I sure would like to have that orange on, especially in this situation......

There is no machismo in not wearing blaze and expecting everyone to "know their target and beyond"..... And then getting shot whn some idiot doesn't.....
 
Superbrad said:
No offence woodchopper, but in one breath you are saying Hunter orange will make you more visible and in the other will not protect you from idiots....

Of course, there are degrees of idiot, but if I was heading out to a field to pick up a harvested animal I sure would like to have that orange on, especially in this situation......

There is no machismo in not wearing blaze and expecting everyone to "know their target and beyond"..... And then getting shot whn some idiot doesn't.....
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range control is out there to make sure they don't see anyone not where they are suppose to be. hunters still shoot at anything that moves...
 
RedApe said:
range control is out there to make sure they don't see anyone not where they are suppose to be. hunters still shoot at anything that moves...
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Even when said thing they are shooting at is covered in blaze?.... I have parachuted, bungee jumped, repelled and Ben under fire in the forces and I still wouldn't even think about joining this hunt if I was eligible and that is true..... That is bat#### crazy....
 
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