Gentlemen,

First time posting here.

Just curious as to the current weather in Western Sask. as my father and I are heading in a few days for the first rifle hunt of the season.

Any tips for a first time Canada whitetail hunter? We wil be in the Mistatim area and have only hunted whitetails in the southeastern US. Sounds like we may be a week or so early for the rut.

All of your information that I have read so far has helped greatly.

Thank you.

WTR,

Welcome to AR, and I hope your Dad and you have a great hunt. You guys will be pretty much due east of Prince Albert, and a bit south. I usually hunt north of PA.

Generally, the whitetails in Sask are unsophisticated compared to US experience. The biggest problem is shooting the first buck you see. I like to set a line, and not shoot until the deer makes that score. Sometimes you don't get one (gross per cent take is about 75%). Typical deer are 10-point scoring in the 130s, and some larger -- at least in my experience.

You can check local weather by going on one of the Canada weather websites and drilling down. There are official and private websites.

Have your gun paperwork ready in advance. Also you will need your "colors" as the locals call the oversuits used in Sask. I have flown in (using Saskatoon), and driven. I have to admit the driving trip was long, but more entertaining if you have the time.

jim

Thank you for the welcome and the infomration Jim.

Weather looks to be getting cold for next week. Hoefully a 160+ class will step out?

Down here in Georgia, its not often you get to see several 130+ class deer in a week!

WTR

WTR,

The folks you are hunting with should be able to give you a good picture of the average size buck they kill, as well as news of any local Mr. Big.

Just have the patience to hang in all day in your blind (usual practice there is to hunt from blinds over bait). Have a jug to pee in so your don't have to move around too much. Remember adverse weather can put you out of business. You are hunting in the dark of the moon, and I like that best.

jim

WTR:

Mistatim....By any chance are you hunting with Greg Simoneau?

Anyway....the bucks are HUGE. As Hunter Jim says...dont shoot the first one. They will all be a lot bigger than what you see in SE US.

Prepare for cold weather. Stay out all day. If hunting w/Greg he will provide a propane heater and a blind that provides some shelter from the wind. But it will get cold.

Mistatim is in eastern Sask,near Hudson Bay. The weather there today was about 45 farenhiet, partly cloudy. My friends are 35 miles S. of Mistatim for the last 2 weeks.I had back surgery or I would be there also. We have a cabin there.Open moose season as well as whitetail on now. As of yesterday they didn't seem to think it had been cold enough for the rut to be in full swing.
You may be in a blind in the forest or driving at dawn and dusk looking in grainland, pasture etc.
As others have said,be patient,I worked as a guide in the zone S. of there. Our clients were mostly from NE US. Met a lot of fine people. For the most part the only complaints were'I shoulda' waited for a bigger one'If you wish you can email or PM and I may be some assistance. Mark

Thank you all gentlemen.

We will be hunting with Circle Lakes Angus in Mistatim. Leaving tomorrow.

Looks like the weather is going to have a big drop in temps over next week so maybe it will be good. Thank you all again for the great information. I will post a report upon our return.

WTR

WTR,

Good hunting, and don't forget to bring us a story.

jim

Got back a few weeks ago from Canada and still trying to catch up.

The weather there was warm and nothing was frozen. Everyone scored on a 130 or better but myself. Just never had the opportunity.

The second week hunters behind us all scored on big bucks, two in the 160's.

Once again thanks for all of yalls help. We are going to try and get week 3 for next year.

WTR

WTR,

I hunted Sask from '98 to '03 pretty much every year. You can expect the rut to kick in there about November 15, so that is usually a good time to be there and hunting.

I have interviewed outfitters for articles (most famously Jim Shockey), and if you are really serious about shooting Mr. Big you need to book two weeks. Or come back next year!

With two weeks you can dodge most weather effects. Not always, but most.

jim

I have hunted a lot in MN bordering Canada. I bring a -30 rated sleeping bag and have problem staying out all day, even when it is below zero.

Why no one emulates that is beyond me. Much better than a propane heater. I carry it along with all my other stuff in a backpack. I don't even break a sweat to the stand.