This outfitter has openings on a few of his horseback hunts for this fall. We have not hunted or worked with this outfitter before, and the statistics below were given to Hunts.Net by the outfitter. We advise hunters to get references and also advise hunters before booking to talk directly with the guide who will be employed by the outfitter to guide you. We have heard through the grapevine to insist on a particular guide.
| Bighorn sheep: The outfitter said he produced three rams for four hunters in 2006., and the fourth hunter missed a ram. The largest sheep had tremendous bases at 17 1/2 inches and scored 176 Boone and Crockett points. The other two rams scored in the 160s. Altogether the four hunters saw an estimated 50 legal rams. This hunt is $18,500 for 14 days with one hunter per guide. You'll be picked up in Edmonton and taken to the hunting camp by truck. From there you'll hunt daily by horseback. This hunt takes place in a unit known for producing some of the biggest rams in Canada near the Cadomin mine, but the outfitter doesn't like to hunt areas away from the mine, scouting extensively for bands of sheep that the locals are not bothering. He employs four spike camps. He owns, rather than leases, the tag allotment. The outfitter and one guide do the guiding. His guide has killed two 190-class rams himself. "Guys who can walk have an advantage on this hunt," he said. "We've had guys who weren't in the best of shape, and we do OK because we do a lot of the travel by horse, but we would prefer guys who can hike when necessary. Also, you should be able to shoot well enough that you can make a 400-yard shot if needed."
Elk rifle: In 2006 all four hunters killed a bull, and three of the four racks scored 350 to 363 B&C. You'll hunt daily by horseback from a tent camp reached by truck. The rifle hunt opens Sept. 17 and runs six days for $6,500, and you might be able to add a mule deer at no additional cost except for the provincial tag. You'll be picked up in Calgary.
Elk bow: The outfitter just bought an allocation for two archery elk tags. This six-day hunt begins Sept. 10 and costs $5,000 a person.
Moose/mule deer archery combo: One bowhunter took this hunt in 2006 and killed a 48-inch bull. This hunt takes place out of the outfitter's sheep camp. You'll hunt by horseback, occasionally traveling by truck instead. The hunt starts Sept. 10 or 17, your choice. The outfitter prefers Sept. 17 because the moose are more likely to be receptive to calling. The hunter last year had a chance at deer on the same day he got his moose but elected to end his hunt after he got his bull.
Whitetail/mule deer combo: You can take two bucks on this hunt -- a whitetail and a muley. All four hunters in 2006 scored on both bucks, and all the bucks scored over 150 B&C. This hunt takes place in a unit where all resident tags are issued through a computer lottery. The non-resident quota is sold through the outfitter, so you don't need to draw a permit. The outfitter said he has produced whitetails as large as 191 B&C and has produced two muleys in the 200 class. You'll stay in a trail riding lodge with propane-heated cabins. This hunt takes place in November. The area is quite open due to a large forest fire seven or eight years ago. Much of the burned timber was subsequently logged, creating an abundance of deer forage and making the area ideal for glassing. You can take a wolf if you see one -- none of last year's hunters got a wolf. There are wild horses in the area, so the whitetails are quite unafraid of horses, the outfitter said, making horseback hunting effective. You'll be picked up in Calgary.
Note: Canadian hunts prices typically do not include the federal sales tax of 7%. You must have a passport. Also, you must register your gun upon arrival in Canada. Taxidermy and butcher fees are not included in hunt prices. Expect to work hard to see trophy-size game animals on these hunts, the high success of last year's hunters notwithstanding.
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| Hunt BS5214 |
| Hunt |
Price per person |
| Bighorn sheep, 14 days |
$18,500 |
| Elk rifle, 6 days |
$6,500 (may include mule deer at the cost of the tag) |
| Elk bow, 6 days |
$5,000 (may include mule deer at the cost of the tag) |
| Moose/mule deer bow, 6 days |
$5,000 |
| Mule deer/whitetail two-deer combo rifle |
$5,000 |
| Hunter success |
Included in hunt price |
| 2006: 3 for 4 on sheep, 4 for 4 on elk rifle, 1 for 1 on moose bow, 4 for 4 on combo muley/ whitetail rifle. |
Guide service, meals, accommodations, shuttle service to either Calgary or Edmonton airport. |
| Accommodations |
License |
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Sheep, moose archery and elk hunts are from a wall tent camp that can be reached by truck. You'll hunt by horseback. The November deer hunts are run from a riding lodge. You'll still hunt by horseback, but some areas can be reached by truck.
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Hunting licenses or tags are not included in the price of the hunt. You do not need to draw a tag if you're a non-resident. Updated prices.
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| Trophy size |
Extras |
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Rams taken on this hunt typically score 160 to 170 B&C with the bigger rams 175 or bigger. Bull elk taken on this hunt are typically six-point bulls with the bigger bulls scoring over 350 B&C. Mule deer typically score 160 to 180 with a possibility for 200 class. Whitetails typically score 150 to 170 with a possibility of a 180 to 200 class buck.
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Not included in the price of the hunt are the Canadian federal sales tax (7%), taxidermy fees, butcher fees. Often you can donate meat to needy local families. Hunting license and tags are not included in hunt prices.
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