Elk Hunting in Alberta - Info Required

44fordy

44fordy

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Hello,

We're going elk hunting in Alberta this fall (September). We've arranged a 6 man team with some of my old Army buddies.

Three of us are Ontarians, and three are residents of Alberta.

We're doing a drive-in, basecamp-style hunt. We're probably going to a spot about 4hrs +/- from Edmonton. (Forrestry Trunk Rd. area as a reference)

We've started the planning, but none of us are veteran Elk hunters, hence why this thread.

I'm hoping you can pass along and advice/recommendations you may have.

(The Ontario guys will be flying to Edmonton with basically our rifles and cammoflauge. Equipment will be provided by our Albertan counterparts, and anything else we need; we will procure before we leave Edmonton.)

Advice on tags, (I'm hearing draws are by antler size in various areas), suggested areas, and whatever other inportant info you have, is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all.
 
I would just get the general tag. Some WMU's are 3 pt or bigger, some along the foothills and mountains are 6pt or bigger.

I dont know that area too well, but anywhere from Drayton Valley- Edson to Hinton (west of Edmonton) and say from Whitecourt to Sundre would be good.

Confirm in the Alberta Regulations for antler point size restrictions for each WMU. With the general tag, you can move freely from one WMU to another. Certain WMU's will be on a DRAW tag only basis.

For first time elk hunters, buy some easy to use calls - Primos Hoochie Moma cow elk, maybe a Terminator Bugle call...and practice. Maybe get a couple single reed calls and start practicing (practice in the house, when you are driving-it may drive family members / neigbours nuts:D , but who cares ) with them-gives you a hand free option. This may take some time but practice makes perfect.

Be prepared to do lots of walking. IMO, hunting elk by ATV is pretty much useless-not like a moose. ATV is good to get into certain areas early in the morning or other times in the day and then get set up-walking in further. Confirm regulations for ATV usage...times to carry a rifle on a ATV.

Elk can be a loud animal....lots of chirping, breaking undergrow. If you step on or break branches with your body, jsut do a couple chirps-sound like an elk.

Find the elk scouting/hunting, then get setup. Sometimes its best to be quiet, setup on a treeline waiting for the elk to come into a meadow to feed, catch them where they like to cross a cutline from their bedding areas or going for water.

One thing with elk. If disturbed, the herd will be gone in a flash and you may not see them again for a couple days...they can put on alot of miles quickly.

Here is a link to Alberta Outdoormen site, click on the Hunting Regulations and get you and your other Ontario buddies up-to-date prior to arriving in Alberta. A link to the REGS are on the LHS half way down.

Alberta Outdoorsmen

Maybe become a member on AO and ask some questions there. Helpful group...but they probably wont give you exactly where to go;). Your Alberta buddies may have good ideas of locations already. Another option is to contact the SWD-Fish & Wildlife district offices and and some questions.

Have fun !!
 
Have good quality boots that are well broken in, and a high quality binocular. A good spotting scope can also save a lot of boot leather, especially if you are hunting under point restrictions.

I hosted a buddy from Ontario that underestimated the value of appropriate footwear. His boots, which were fine for Canadian Shield country were somewhat lacking in the Rockies. He was also amazed at the amount of time we spend glassing with optics (which can make you a little crosseyed if they are not up to the task).

Oh, and be prepared to return;). My buddy has been back twice since his first "once in a lifetime" hunt. Elk hunting IS addicting.:D
 
Confirm in the Alberta Regulations for antler point size restrictions for each WMU. With the general tag, you can move freely from one WMU to another. Certain WMU's will be on a DRAW tag only basis.
Click to expand...

Do you have to go in a draw for the general tag? And what is it good for? Calves, bull, cow?

Thanks for the information guys, VERY much appreciated!!
 
wapitiwhacker said:
Have good quality boots that are well broken in, and a high quality binocular. A good spotting scope can also save a lot of boot leather, especially if you are hunting under point restrictions.

I hosted a buddy from Ontario that underestimated the value of appropriate footwear. His boots, which were fine for Canadian Shield country were somewhat lacking in the Rockies. He was also amazed at the amount of time we spend glassing with optics (which can make you a little crosseyed if they are not up to the task).

Oh, and be prepared to return;). My buddy has been back twice since his first "once in a lifetime" hunt. Elk hunting IS addicting.:D
Click to expand...

x2 WELL SAID. Yes a good quailty pair of binos.;)
 
44fordy said:
Do you have to go in a draw for the general tag? And what is it good for? Calves, bull, cow?

Thanks for the information guys, VERY much appreciated!!
Click to expand...

The General Tag is over-the-counter tag. No need for the Draw Application.

A "General Elk" tag is only good for a bull elk in most WMU's in the province that are NOT a DRAW TAG zone. The bull may be a 3pt+ or 6pt+ depending on the WMU regs. With a General Tag, during ARCHERY SEASON ONLY-you can take an "Antlerless Elk". But come RIFLE SEASON, a General Tag is for bull "Antlered" only...you must be drawn for Antlerless Elk (COW).
 
If you're hunting in the north leave the spotting scope at home. "Long range" glassing for elk is pretty limited in the north country. Good binos for sure though.
 
Be prepared for disappointment or pray for beginners luck. Success rates are less than 10% for elk in general seasons. Out of six tags you may fill one. If you are going early hope for cool weather, last season was incredibly hot and the rut activity shut down almost to zero. Expect huge crowds in the trunk road zones especially around opening days. Best pointer I can give you is hunt the highest ridges bordering cuts unless you have found sign that suggests otherwise. The further you get from roads or ATV accessible areas the better.

It is nice country though. I would actually plan for a late November hunt with snow and the opportunity to tag a good whitetail as a target of opportunity.
 
It is also illegal to ride a quad before noon if you have a rifle with you on the quad, so yes have good boots. Or hide your rifle in the bush overnight.More than anything look online and read the Alberta Regs.
 
dan240 said:
It is also illegal to ride a quad before noon if you have a rifle with you on the quad,
Click to expand...



That is not accurate information. Some areas yes, but many No, and it is only during the general season. If you bow hunt , none of this applies.




If you don't do a pre-hunt all you will see are tracks and droppings. These animals can clear out of a quarter section in the first 30 seconds you step into the bush. Six guys in a new area will only discover the exits routes. A group of us take turns going out early weekends and sharing information of exactly when and where we see them. When the season begins, we get together for a few days hunting. We take two animals per year from about 3 different herds. Every year, but only two.
 
Mighty Peace said:
The General Tag is over-the-counter tag. No need for the Draw Application.

A "General Elk" tag is only good for a bull elk in most WMU's in the province that are NOT a DRAW TAG zone. The bull may be a 3pt+ or 6pt+ depending on the WMU regs. With a General Tag, during ARCHERY SEASON ONLY-you can take an "Antlerless Elk". But come RIFLE SEASON, a General Tag is for bull "Antlered" only...you must be drawn for Antlerless Elk (COW).
Click to expand...

Just a correction: Non-resident Canadians can not take an antlerless Elk in the archery season, they are limited to Antlered Only (with whatever points required in the season). NR Canadians can not apply for Antlerless Elk (or Antlerless Moose or deer, or non-trophy Antelope).
 
Pudelpointer said:
Just a correction: Non-resident Canadians can not take an antlerless Elk in the archery season, they are limited to Antlered Only (with whatever points required in the season). NR Canadians can not apply for Antlerless Elk (or Antlerless Moose or deer, or non-trophy Antelope).
Click to expand...

You may be right on the Antlerless for NRC. I never looked at the regs for that part, I just know the regs for us Albertans.
 
dan240 said:
It is also illegal to ride a quad before noon if you have a rifle with you on the quad, so yes have good boots. Or hide your rifle in the bush overnight.More than anything look online and read the Alberta Regs.
Click to expand...

Hiding your rifle in the bush is 'unsafe storage'. You can use a quad before noon provided you are off it and on foot a full hour before Sunrise. On a practical note you will likely spook more game than it is worth running in this early, far better to spike camp within 1/2 hiking distance to where you want to be at day break.
 
fiddler said:
That is not accurate information. Some areas yes, but many No, and it is only during the general season. If you bow hunt , none of this applies.




If you don't do a pre-hunt all you will see are tracks and droppings. These animals can clear out of a quarter section in the first 30 seconds you step into the bush. Six guys in a new area will only discover the exits routes. A group of us take turns going out early weekends and sharing information of exactly when and where we see them. When the season begins, we get together for a few days hunting. We take two animals per year from about 3 different herds. Every year, but only two.
Click to expand...

A bow is still considered a 'weapon' in the regs. I am fairly certain that if you are caught on an ATV with a bow (or crossbow) you could get charged by F&D. If I am mistaken please correct me
 
Bluffton Bill said:
A bow is still considered a 'weapon' in the regs. I am fairly certain that if you are caught on an ATV with a bow (or crossbow) you could get charged by F&D. If I am mistaken please correct me
Click to expand...

I think the crossbow falls under firearm. I could be wrong.

I always walked in the mornings, and get set up where I wanted to be before legal light.....during bow season and rifle.

If I needed to get in deeper quickly inthe late afternoon for a setup for an evening hunt, I would use the quad to get in most of the way, and walk the last mile or so.
 
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