I am looking at booking a white tail deer hunt with Alberta Native Guide Service, operated by Ken Steinhaus. Openings are available for the last week of November, which I am told is the peak of the rut (usually). I know there are big white tails in Alberta, but I have heard a couple horror stories about some outfitters too. Just looking for a good hunt with a possible opportunity at a 140 class (or better) deer. Anybody know about this operation? If this one is not great, any suggestions? Thanks.

I don't know much about that outfit you referenced to. Outfitter horror stories can be heard and may be a fact in all provinces and states. Most of the time these low life outfitters will either be charged or will run out of business.

An outfitter that I can suggest is Birch Creek Oufitters in northern Alberta. Their website is:

www.birchcreekhunts.com

Hope this helps. Good luck in your future hunt in Alberta.

Try www.tailfeathersoutfitting.com. You'll be hunting a native reserve in the south of Alberta. This will be the second year they are hunting the reserve, and the number of deer is amazing. A 140 class deer will be easy to get, you should really aim for a bit bigger. The guy running the outfit is a very experience outfitter, guide and writer.

Tell Ken I said hi.

Frans

Try looking at this website. It lists reviews from people who have hunted with outfitters.
The outfitter you are looking at is listed
http://www.huntinfo.com/reviews/outfitter_reviews.php3?...ch=&submit_action=Go

I believe they are located in North Central Alberta, prime whitetail country, much better than the south of the province. The last week of November can be pretty cold, I have found the 3rd week a bit better, but there are nice deer just about everywhere. If you hunt hard and don't quit during the day you should have a chance at a 140 class buck. They are quite plentiful.

Hey Frans,
Checked the link you suggested. From the pictures of KN with a 115 deer and a cpl of smallish 135-140 mule bucks I have to wonder where the 140+ whitetails are.I believe there are a few boys on the blood reserve who keep an eye out for big deer and I for one would probably look somewhere else.

Having worked on a reserve for 2 years I'd be careful of any dealings with the natives. I'm not saying they aren't trustworthy-they just have a different way of looking at things. The blood is one of the reserves with the worst social conditions imaginable. I'd be wary.

the chef

And to have the outfitter formerly charged with "straying into Prov/national park does not lend credibility either! i would suggest to leive the reserve alone. I was hunting across the river from them (natives with yanks) last year and they were sending rounds along/across/over the river, a real war zone.I helped them "find" a wounded buck that had expired in the river after 12 shots fired on both sides of the bank that was supposed to be 160 according to the guide, I guessed him at 120! Not good advise to get. Its not an exclusive area either as any band native can be bribed with enough liquid courage to "guide any resident where they want.

quote:

Originally posted by bwest:
Hey Frans,
Checked the link you suggested. From the pictures of KN with a 115 deer and a cpl of smallish 135-140 mule bucks I have to wonder where the 140+ whitetails are.I believe there are a few boys on the blood reserve who keep an eye out for big deer and I for one would probably look somewhere else.

Good estimate on that deer! I shot that one, last fall, just for meat. I was out there taking some pictures for them and hunting pheasants. I did the initial set-up of the website, and I pleaded for some good pictures of the deer they shot last season, but that never happened, for all sorts of reasons (uncooperating hunters, guides that didn't see the value of it, etc. Ken is now in control of the website.

We chased a big buck that day that I believe would go 150+, a few were shot by visiting hunters in that class last fall, and from the stories they didn't have to hunt all that hard.

I agree with you that the area hasn't proven itself yet, this will only be the second year that an outfitter will hunt this area. It will be interesting to see what they will produce now that they have had a full year to prepare.

Frans

Whats to keep the other memebers of the tribe from hunting there? If they dont have some sort of agreement between themselves I cant see very many big bucks coming out of the reserve.

Do they hunt on their land by the park too? On fellow I worked with was from the blood and he tolf me stories of wounding a sheep and having i run into the park.

Brett

One more fact about hunting on a reserve is that if you have a problem with the outfitter not delivering as promised,you will have an extremely difficult time taking any legal action against the outfitter.

I have guided in Alberta for 11 years or so, and I have heard quite a few negatives about Ken and his area(s). Both from previous clients who have hunted with him, and from other outfitters.I am personally good friends with several outfitters in Alberta, and alot of times a guy has to take what he hears with a grain of salt. But when things come up time and time again, you would have to wonder.
There are many different outfitters in Alberta where shooting a 140" Deer wouldnt be that difficult, but one has to remember that it is still hunting, and forget about what all the "Outdoor Writers" say. I have had so many clients that have read so many stories of Alberta and its game, they really do believe that big Deer are hiding around every corner.
My advice would be to do your research completely, talk to lots of references (Make sure the outfitter gives you ALL the references from years past, not just the successful ones!)
I would also suggest researching outfitters that are North of Hi-way #16, as that is probably your best bet for a better hunt!