Deer
Hunting in Alberta:
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.
Several methods are used successfully to hunt Alberta’s
trophy whitetails. Treestands or ground blinds located
along an active trail, corridor or scrape line are some
of the methods Paul uses in hunting white-tailed deer.
Rattling and calling whitetails is common practice as
the rut approaches for both rifle hunters and primitive
weapon hunters. There are special zones and special seasons
for archery hunters.
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.
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)