Zone 517 is 1700 square miles of Northern Alberta's finest wildlife adventures and a top destination choice for world wide whitetail trophy hunters, Several Boone & Crockett whitetails are harvested each fall.

A large forest fire in 1998 and gas plant activity in this area necessitated reclamation, creating a much richer food source for the whitetail.

Alberta's whitetail deer are known for their immense body size and heavy antlers. Northern Alberta has produced some of the most unique whitetail trophies in the world.

Whitetail hunts are usually 6-7 day trips. Package includes trapline tours and fishing. Client must obtain Whitetail Deer and Wolf tag, Wildlife Certificate and Permit Renewal

Whitetail

Whitetail hunting in Alberta is unbelievably awesome. Alberta is home to some of the world’s best trophy white-tails and is a top destination choice for world wide whitetail trophy hunters. Several Boone and Crockett whitetails are harvested each fall. The next world record whitetail in any category could easily go to an Alberta hunter guided by Paul.

The white-tailed deer is Alberta’s most abundant cloven-hoofed animal. Its coloration changes from reddish-brown in summer to greyish brown in winter. White-tailed deer are slightly smaller than mule deer. Bucks average 90 kg (200 lb.), and does weigh about 60 kg (130 lb.). Mule deer and white-tailed deer are similar in appearance, but the antlers and tails are distinctive. White-tailed deer antlers have unbranched tines extending up from single beams. The broad tail is brown, fringed with white, and white underneath. When running, the tail is held erect, exposing its white underside, hence the name "white-tailed". Whitetails have no rump patch.

Whitetails possess excellent senses of sight, smell and hearing. They are extremely wary, and when alarmed they move rapidly, bounding away in smooth, graceful leaps.

In Alberta, the rut, or mating season usually occurs in November. One or two spotted fawns are born to each doe the following spring.

They generally browse on choke cherries, saskatoons, and other shrubs. Brushy patches provide good cover and even the largest whitetail is difficult to see.

Natural Resources Service estimates the provincial population (in Sept.98) to be about 232,000 animals. This estimate is based on population counts in selected areas and hunter harvest information.

Alberta’s white-tailed deer are known for their immense body size and heavy antlers and Northern Alberta has produced some of the most unique whitetail trophies in the world.

Coordinated drives, or "pushes", are also employed by many hunters and outfitters in the province. This can be a test of skill, as superior marksmanship is often required to bring down a trophy deer flushed from cover. Other outfitters depend upon spot and stock and/or tracking strategies.

Paul uses a variety of tactics to ensure clients have an opportunity to harvest one of the province’s majestic, trophy-class whitetails.

Non-residents, contracting a big game hunt in Alberta, are legally required to book their hunt with a registered Alberta outfitter, such as Winefred Lake Outfitters Ltd.

In general, you may hunt big game with either a shotgun or a rifle. However, it is unlawful to use: ammunition less than .23 caliber, and with an empty cartridge case less than 44 mm (1.75 in.) in length, shotguns having a gauge of .410 or less, ammunition that contains non-expanding bullets, an auto-loading firearm that has the capacity to hold more than five cartridges in the magazine. a pistol, revolver or any firearm that is capable of firing more than one bullet during one pressure of the trigger.

Transportation of Firearms:
It is unlawful to transport a loaded firearm (live ammunition in breech, chamber or magazine) in any kind of aircraft or vehicle whether it is moving or stationary. It is unlawful to transport a loaded firearm in a boat, unless the boat is propelled by muscular power or is at anchor and you are hunting. Ammunition may be transported in a magazine that is not attached to the firearm.

Storage of Firearms:
If a firearm is left in an unattended vehicle, it must be secured in a locked trunk or similar compartment. If the vehicle has no such compartment, the firearm must be stored out of sight in the locked vehicle.

Paul Padlesky will provide a more detailed overview of the Alberta hunting regulations prior to your hunt. As well you may click here to view the online version of the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations.