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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.
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