So just got awarded a suffield elk tag in November. Anyone have experience hunting down there? Like to get as much in for as I can so I can start preparing. Tips ,tricks ,equipment recommendations, calibre recommendations? ( have a .308 already) I'll take any advice i can get, from what I've heard the hunts can turn into a gong show.Elk has been my dream animal so I'm super happy I finally get a chance to hunt one. But any info any of you could pass on would be great.
Sufield Alberta elk hunt, looking for advice
- Thread starter ih8ipods
- Start date
I have been on the Suffield Elk Hunt over the past 2 years as a disabled veteran hunter on a special access program sponsored by AB Parks and Environment. I have some very useful recommendations for you. PM me and we can set up a phone call as there is far too much to type up....
Nothing wrong with a 308 for elk. I took 2 a few years ago at 365 and 490 yards, dropped dead right there.
I'm not sure what else you are insinuating but plenty of hunters miss and the elk were brought in decades ago, they were not native to that area. The military has probably maimed and killed and wasted more meat than anyone. Into the later months it's likely more the constant pressure that kills many of them, you can see them utterly exhausted and numbers have dropped significantly more than what was possibly shot or hunted.
I'll PM my cell number if you want some tips or information.
There is a safety briefing in Ralston each morning that is mandatory, no meeting, no hunting. Also, be prepared to walk as the elk mostly stick to the hills and cover closer to the river. It is a huge area and too many guys stay in their trucks and complain about never seeing any elk.
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- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
make friends with the Base G3.... stay in the VIP house on base 
Suka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Did the hunt once. Avoid the, "crowd", take shooting sticks or something for a rest as the grass was a lot taller than anticipated. Couldn't lay down to shoot, shot from sitting position.
Was not, "easy" or really even fun, but we left home 4AM and were back home mid aft. with a very tasty big cow in the truck. Best of luck.
Was not, "easy" or really even fun, but we left home 4AM and were back home mid aft. with a very tasty big cow in the truck. Best of luck.
Rayleigh_Scattering
Regular
- Location
- Under the arch
Never been, but I’m told it’s a zoo. And not in the good way.
FreedomIsn'tFree
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Buffalo.
I went a few years back and have no plans of ever going again.
I did it in December 2014 before I was posted from Suffield. Was an interesting experience, that's for sure. Not sure how much has changed, but the herds use to be massive, so once you found them it was easy. My shot was a lot longer than I had anticipated, or estimated, be ready for anything from 100m to 300m+. I hunted with a 30-06 that year, there was everything from a guy with a SKS, moslin, 300 win mag, 308, etc.
make friends with the Base G3.... stay in the VIP house on base
Depends on which session of the hunt you are assigned to. For the first or second session of the past 2 years, the VIP quarters have been reserved for the Disabled Veteran Hunters as there are ramps, etc for the wheelchairs.
I went with a buddy in December 2016 with landowner tags. If it’s still the same you’ll need a gps, compass, means of retrieval and 24hr food/water to get into the national wildlife area. I got the feeling that the majority of people like to stick close to the truck and they don’t or didn’t allow any wheeled vehicles off the NWA trails. the elk there seemed to be very accustom to this and were several km off the roads. we ended up putting on 55km hiking in the 3 days and filled our 4 tags. Last day we got nice and close to a herd of a couple hundred. I would’ve been content just watching them. I also used my stupid heavy 308 only complaint was the Hornady ammo I used. Any questions you can PM me and I’ll try my best to answer them!
I’ve been there a couple of times years ago and it’s not the type of hunt id enjoy. The base is huge and so is the number of trucks roaming around. When a herd is spotted you’d here the fireworks. I found many people taking sporadic shots at the herd. I don’t think they had a specific animal in my mind and I don’t think they were aware of the distance and their shooting abilities.
Probably any caliber from 6.5x55 or 270 and up should do. I heard now there are areas where you can hunt that aren’t accessible by truck, so be ready to haul a heavy animal a long way. A sled might be helpful or butchering/quartering gear. Have someone or maybe 2 with you to help.
The roads can get a bit tricky so make sure you know your truck and tire capabilities well.. a range finder, binos and/or spotting scope can come in handy.
The officers are very respectful and respectable and they’d tell you where the elk is if they saw it. But you also need to keep in mind that they have another job on the base so don’t expect them to be out trying to locate the herds for the hunters.
Good luck and stay safe!
Probably any caliber from 6.5x55 or 270 and up should do. I heard now there are areas where you can hunt that aren’t accessible by truck, so be ready to haul a heavy animal a long way. A sled might be helpful or butchering/quartering gear. Have someone or maybe 2 with you to help.
The roads can get a bit tricky so make sure you know your truck and tire capabilities well.. a range finder, binos and/or spotting scope can come in handy.
The officers are very respectful and respectable and they’d tell you where the elk is if they saw it. But you also need to keep in mind that they have another job on the base so don’t expect them to be out trying to locate the herds for the hunters.
Good luck and stay safe!
