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| Phone: Rich LaRocco 801-451-6755 | |
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Hunt trophy whitetail bucks near Stettler, Alberta
Some of the largest whitetails in Alberta come from the fields and coulees near Stettler, Alberta, southeast of Edmonton. When Hunts.Net's Rich LaRocco took this hunt in 2002, he saw more than 50 bucks, including several between 140 and 160, despite a warm spell locally called a pineapple express. Still hunters took some dandies, including a 160-class buck with a 25-inch outside spread and a 14-pointer, and they missed two 160s.
One of the nice things about this hunt is that you can add mule deer. Rich also had a mule deer tag during the warm spell in '02 and passed on a buck that he guessed in the high 170s or low 180s while looking for one of the 190-class muleys that was seen before and after his hunt.
Moose in the area sometimes exceed 50 inches in width and are commonly 45 to 48 inches.
The hunt is run by two brothers who outfit in the area where they grew up. They are in their 20s and have permission to hunt many ranches and farms, including those owned by relatives. They have box blinds on stilts in strategic locations for whitetails. They have eight to 12 tags a year. They prefer to take all the hunters during the last two weeks of November. They believe the hunting is better then than it is earlier in the month due to a lower likelihood of warm weather and the greater likelihood that bucks will be rutting.
Most hunters they have taken have got shots at whitetail bucks scoring 150 to 170 Boone and Crockett points. There have been a few bigger bucks taken in this area, and they have the shed antlers of one buck that would score about 180 net typical.
"I should have shot the biggest 10-pointer I saw," Rich said, "His rack was probably 20 inches wide and had good mass. I saw him on the third day of a nine-day hunt, but then the weather warmed up, and total buck sightings went down from 15 or 16 a day to four to eight a day. I definitely suggest the longer hunt in case you have some bad weather for a few days."
One hunting unit is only 10 minutes from where you'll stay, and the other is about 60 minutes away.
Some big mule deer also live in this area because resident hunters must draw one of a limited number of tags to rifle hunt muleys. As a non-resident customer, you don't need to go through the drawing.
Note that the leasing of hunting rights is illegal in Alberta. You'll be hunting private land the outfitter has permission to hunt, but they don't have exclusive hunting rights that outfitters in the Lower 48 often enjoy.
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Hunt WD883 |
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| Hunt | Cost |
|---|---|
| 6-day whitetail | $4,500 |
| 6-day mule deer | $6,000  |
| 10-day combo whitetail and muley | $8,500 (you can take one whitetail buck and one mule deer buck. |
| 10-day moose | $4,500 |
| Hunter success | Size |
| 100% most years, including 2001 and 2003. In 2002 temperatures in the 50s and 60s and even the 70s and a lack of snow reduced success. Six of 11 hunters scored on mature bucks to 160, while several big bucks were missed or passed, including three in the 160s. | Most whitetails score 130 to 160 B&C, but hunters who hold out have a good chance to take bucks in the 150s and 160s. There are enough giants in the 170s, 180s and even 190s to keep things interesting. Moose in the 50 to 60-inch category are killed; chances of killing a bull of that caliber are probably 50:50 |
| Mule deer | Lodging/meals |
| Resident hunting pressure is controlled through tag lotteries, so bucks get big. The outfitter sees 190s yearly and 200s about every other year. Most hunters should have a crack at a buck in the 170s or 180s. Most older bucks are 26 to 30 inches wide. Both brothers have drawn tags and have taken bucks over 200 (201 and 208). | House lodging, home-cooked meals prepared by the outfitter's mother or aunt are included. Rich said the meals were the best he has had in any hunting camp in 30 years. |
| Travel | Area |
| Free pickup at Edmonton airport | Units 206 and 226 about 30 miles east of Stettler, Alberta. |
| Season | Licenses |
| November. | No draw necessary. Click here for latest price |
