Bumped into an old lost friend today!

Dan Boone · #1 09-24-2012, 11:14 PM

Like the title states. Been outta touch for 10 years plus, come to find out he lives in Innisfail. Small world!
So we got to chattin, grabbed a coffee and yada yada yada.

Well long story short, he has the suffield draw!
He thought he had 999'd it but guess he did not!

So he has never been there, none of his buddies have ever been there and I have never been there.

I told him I would do a little research, so here I am!
First off, I know this is the draw of a lifetime right now.

We will only have 2-3 days in 2 different trips to try to get his elk.
I will try to get there to take a look around before our first trip.

With the limited amount of time, should he just shoot the first bull we see?
I'm thinking October is the absolute worse dates to draw, am I correct?

Any and all info is very very welcome!
Thanks
Dan

slough shark · #2 09-25-2012, 06:19 PM

october is the worst season to draw out there, you would be best looking for some of the smaller herds that are a ways away from the base or hope for a grass fire on the base or having the army boys out to run them off the base otherwise you may be in tough. They are there though and they can be huge.

Jamie Black R/T · #3 09-25-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Boone

he has the suffield draw! .......should he just shoot the first bull we see?

good lord! absolutely not!!!

thats a tough season to hunt but big bulls are found and killed in it every year....the more time you can spend down there before the season the better your odds will be to find him a good bull.

good luck!

Dan Boone · #4 09-25-2012, 08:27 PM

I'm pretty certain I have him convinced to aim for 300 or better.
But with that being said, I think any 6 by 6 in a legal area will be his target.

I thank you for the PMs and welcome any additional PMs.

Man I'm getting excited, even though I only get to video!
Always wanted to go there. Now I have an excuse.

On a normal trip, should one expect to see monster bulls inside the base?
I know outside the base is slim to none!

It would be well worth the trip if I could snap a few decent pics of a giant Elk.
Anything my friend gets would be just a bonus.

Thanks
Dan

sb123 · #5 09-25-2012, 09:05 PM

Here is our experience from the September hunt.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=148533

We only had 4 days and probably got discouraged a bit early and lowered our expectations, but it was hard to pass up a 300 + bull.

Do a search on suffield and you will find lots of good info on this forum.

Good luck!

dinohunter · #6 09-25-2012, 09:08 PM

whats the problem hunting elk in october?do they hide in the base?

slough shark · #7 09-25-2012, 10:07 PM

yup the biggest herd of elk in the province and the bulk of them stay on the base where they can't be touched.

Dan Boone · #8 09-26-2012, 10:38 AM

SB123,
Can I PM u?

fish_e_o · #9 09-26-2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slough shark

or hope for a grass fire on the base or having the army boys out to run them off the base otherwise you may be in tough.

i accept cash for fire starting services... and since it's probably going to mean serious jail time i'm going to need that in cash and cigarettes

Dan Boone · #10 09-26-2012, 11:01 AM

That's too funny, make sure u let me know which side of the base to wait on.

sb123 · #11 09-26-2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Boone

SB123,
Can I PM u?

Sure no problem, my suffield knowledge is limited to 1 day of scouting and 2 days of hunting and what I've read, but I did learne a lot.

Dan Boone · #12 09-26-2012, 04:41 PM

So here's a stupid question!
Which county's do I need to obtain maps from?
I have one that covers a portion, basically from Medicine hat east to sask along the river.
What others do I need to obtain?

Thanks
Dan

LeroyvdH · #13 09-27-2012, 03:57 PM

The map you have is the cypress county 85% of the zone. All of 148 south part of 150 (North portion is Special area #2 Good to have)and just part of 144 ( the other half is Newell county) don't waste your time.

Dan Boone · #14 10-07-2012, 02:50 PM

Well thanks to no tags yesterday, were missing our first trip.
My buddy didn't want to go without the tags! Don't know why he didn't get them before? Crazy ! Oh well.

I'm still heading down tomorrow for a night or 2, but bringing my wife and 2 little girls. Head down and get a feel for the place anyway!

So my next question, since it's not my buddy joining me! We planned to slum it! Haha

Are there any nice cabins or kitchenettes nearby suffield? Or medicine hat?
Wife likes things a little nicer than I need them lol
Any recommendations is great!

Dan