Guys, I will be hunting in alberta unit 522 for Whitetail and Mulie.

What do I need to know?

Sprig

You need to know how to shoot straight!!!

Seriously, what kind of info are you looking for?

Racjmastr,

Never hunted in Canada. Just looking for tips.

Sprig

Dress for winter conditions (-30deg. C), but it may warm up (+15 deg. C) like it has the past few seasons right after a cold spell that dumps snow. GOOD insulated boots are a must, dress in layers...etc. You are probably hunting from ground or tower blinds..-maybe with propane heaters...depends on the outfitter, and land access.

Range of shots could be between 10yrds to 350+...(average probably 150yrds) ..depending on your shooting limits/caliber of rifle/ and other incedential factors.

My choice of rifle personally would be a 300WM. 300WSM, 270WSM, 7mmRM- would be other good choices. I guess bring the rifle you are comfortable shooting. I personally use my 300WM for almost all big game in Alberta shooting 180gr. Accubonds, but my 270WSM with 140gr Accubonds has been proving to be quite the performer on our game here.

Have a great hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by bullsprig:
Guys, I will be hunting in alberta unit 522 for Whitetail and Mulie.

What do I need to know?

Sprig

Bring warm waterproof boots and a good hat. Expect freezing weather but realize you could well be down to a T-shirt. When hunting drink a lot of water as freezing temps will dehydrate you just as fast as overly hot conditions.

De-greese your rifle bolt and lubricate with powdered graphite. The biggest problem encountered with cold-weather hunts is a frozen or slow firing pin. Make sure your scope is fitted with flip-up caps.

Bring a camera!

Mighty, Thanks. I to shoot a 300WSM. I use 180 TBBC. I just bought Cabelas 1000 grm. Pac Boots. Still trying to decide on which Parka to buy plus bibs.

I am from Oklahoma and I hate cold but I can't wait.

Sprig

Any waterproof/breathable parka and insulated bubs and a must. Rocky, Browning, Cabela's brand names will do fine-You pay for the name if it says GORTEX-but thats ok. Good mits with the flip over ends with the magnetic button to hold it back are great. Bring either a toque or a fleece neck thing and ball cap works good. Your boots will be fine, but your toes may still get cold since you probably will be sitting for extended periods of time. Bring wool socks. Pack some HOTPACS pkgs with you-they work good to get the feeling backin your fingers and other parts of your body since they will be numb from the cold! (Just having some fun with you bullsprig)-but its true.

I guided in the past, and guys that do no come prepared dont have fun-especially from the southern USA. One time I ordered in 3 different styles of boots for the guys to try b/c their feet were fozen/cold-and to us it wasn't that cold yet. Staying warm keeps you alert for the chance at when the big bucks come out, and helps with the shot making b/c shaking from the cold can make you miss your opportunity of a life time.

I personally not a fan of the TBBC from my experience-the rifle didnt like them-they dropped off really bad beyond 200yrds, but every rifle is different. The 180gr. is great bullet size for the 300WM and WSM.

Enjoy your hunt in the Peace Country in Alberta. The area your going should produce some exceptional good mulies and whitetails.

All good tips. Clean your firearm of all grease, oil, etc and you wont have any problems when sitting on a stand and having your gun freeze up on you....

Bring LOTS of good clothes, with an assortment of breathable layers and good footwear, socks, etc. I would bring a toque, as well as a fleece hoody, and a couple pairs of mitts and gloves. I just like having an assortment of things to choose from depending on the weather. Layers are the key as it could be -35 or it could be +10 the next day.....our weather can change a lot from year to year. What you want is about -15 weather to keep those big deer moving around.

As for Parkas, take a serious look at Raven Wear in Canada. For stand hunting, there is simply no better IMO. They make suits and jacket/bib combos and the fleece is SUPER-WARM. A bit pricey, but well worth it.

www.ravenwear.ca

I'm not a huge fan of the TBBC either for longer shots. I personally think they are a bit heavy for deer, but as long as you're comfortable with em, you'll do fine. The 300 WSM should do the trick quite nicely....

BIGGEST TIP....Look at some pictures of different outfitter's sites and get to look at what northern mulies and whitetails look like. Our deer dont look nearly as big when compared to their bigger body size. Some say you can add 10" to whatever you think they would score if you're used to looking at southern deer. If you want a big deer, look for heavy mass, then beams, then tines.....most Northern deer you will know it when you should be shooting them. Lots of guys waste too much time in a stand when a big whitetail walks out and they let it pass trying to count inches. If the deer looks big and heavy, he is more than likely a deer you should be considering a shooter.

When I was guiding whitetails up north, I never let my hunters take video cameras in the stand, and I discouraged using binoculars. If you see a buck, dont waste your time using binos to decide if he's a shooter. It may be the only glance you'll get at the buck all week, and you want to be ready for a shot. Use your binos only to look at things you arent sure are deer and confirm your target. I've seen a few hunters come back to camp with a video of a 170+ buck that they videod until they realized they should be shooting, and lost their chance. Some deer will appear once in a week-long hunt and you'll never see them again.....only a video reminder....just something to think about...

Be prepared to sit all day long if your outfitter is hunting with blinds. Some of the biggest deer are killed between 10AM and 2PM so dont think that you only should be in there in the morning/evening. Some guys complain about sitting too long (me included) but its well worth it if you want to kill a good deer.

Check out this website as well for some good tips, pointers, etc from a big whitetail outfitter in Alberta....

www.northriveroutfitting.com

Make sure you've got your paperwork together for Customs and you'll be on your way. Shoot straight and take lots of pictures!

Guys, Great tips, just what I was looking for.

Now I am worried about Air Canada. My outfitter did not tell me about them not letting you ship antlers. That was my plan. Hum??

Also I am surprised about the TBCC since it is highly recommended for Africa. Is it the weight, design or distance (300 and over) or a combo of all the above. I am not married to them, I also have some interbonds in 180 and some Particians. Should I go to a smaller bullet?

I have heard great things about Ravenwear. I am looking at it and the new Browning MT-50 system from Cabela. I am leaning toward a parka with a zip out lining. Any thoughts.

By the way, I just figured up an outfit from Ravenwear and its just too expensive.


Sprig

I wasnt trying to discourage the TBBC. They just didn't work in my hunting buddy's rifle which is exactly like mine -Sako m75 SS 300WM. They just dropped off tremendously in his at ranges over 200yrds. I was shooting the Partiton Golds at the time in mine and when he switched, he was grouping almost the same at the long range shots as me. I love the new Accubond bullet- I switched in 2004. The Interbond is similiar design I believe-so its what ever you and your rifle like. Stick with the 180 grains.

I took a nice mulie and whitetail on the last day in the last hour in 2004. Pics are in the trophy room under 2 Bucks an Hour. First shot was close, the second was a long shot, but I knew my rifle, and dropped the whitetail in his tracks-I knew he was a good buck, but was even better as I walked up to him. But I let him get a piece of tail first before I did him in, since he seen another doe come out and wanted more

The jacket with removable liners are great. Thats what I got. If not I wear my other winter parka(beige) and over that I wear my winter camo outfit. Its light/thin and doesnt cost more than $20 on EBAY-its the setup I have on in my pic on the LHS of the post.

I also agree with Rackmastr on the binos- if the deer are a long ways out...then definately use them-not the riflescope. But if the BIG BUCKS (170+) come out close enough-you can tell with the naked eye, he's a keeper-get the rifle up! Our deer definately have bigger bodies and can be tough to judge antler size and mass.

I had a fellow that waited for the trophy buck to turn for a broadside shot instead of staight on- which is the right thing to do, but was waiting as the buck stopped all of a sudden between 150-200yrds, waited a few seconds-what seemed like an eternity for the hunter, then instead of slowly turning or coming closer, it sprang sideways into a deadbolt run to the bush- the guy was sick....easily 190+ BC Whitetail. I seen this deer many times scouting and on the last day of the season that year hunting for myself, but I already had my WT and was after the elk- plus this buck wasnt dumb and was out of the field about 1/2-3/4 hr before legal shooting light. He made his mistake that one day at about 12pm and learned his lesson.

Helpful tip also, most bucks taken from between 10am to 2pm, but watch for the first thing in morning & late in day . If you see not to much, just be patient-the bucks will be cutting across the fields, searching for tail. Best bait in the world- "DOES" and the bucks will come.

Have fun..this is getting me PUMPED for archery season starting in 16 days, as this will be the only way I get my mulie this season as I did not get drawn, plus I love to hunt elk in the rut with my bow!

Yes ......MP said one thing that is bang on and that is stay in your stand all day. So many big bucks are taken mid day and hunters want to go back for lunch and warm up..........take a lunch, dress properly and stay put!

Your outfitter will probably have this covered but take a bottle to pee in and make sure you take abig thermos of warm coffe, tea, soup, what ever, to help keep you warm during the day.

I hate those flip off mitts (sorry guys...I do) so i wear a thin pair of cotton or silk gloves and then a pair of big comfy insulated gauntlets/mitts over top. When it is time to shoot I slip them off and shot with the thin gloves.

Very good tips on when to use/when not to use binos, deer body size, etc. Bang on.