Elk Hunting WMU 358

[thatalbertaguy403]

New to this forum, looking for some suggestions or advice.

My hunting group and I have been hunting the wmu 358 Saddle Hills for 2 years now, we are on the way to heading up for our third year. In the first year we were actually south of Grande Prairie (357), had no luck there. In our second year, we spent some time by Woking, and were very successful in a late season hunt (bull and cow). This year we are attempting an early season hunt to do both bow and rifle hunting for elk. We have 2 cow tags and 3 general tags. We had planned to go to the same areas, but as it turns out, getting permission for those areas in the early season is a lot more difficult. Land owners are not allowing us access to occupied crown land due to cattle being present. We are wanting to stay in the area, we know the elk are there. Has anyone else hunted unoccupied crown around that area that would be willing to give us some pointers to send us in the right direction? We are travelling 12 hours to hunt, we have an outfitters tent, and would be looking to stay on the crown land if there was an appropriate area. We don't really want to just chance it and drive up there.

There are a few campgrounds in the area including Hilltop Campground, and Spring Lake. Not sure if they would be appropriate for a hunt camp, but its an idea...

We know that some places you can camp near the wellsites, and some do not allow. Just by using Google maps, there are some areas that might do well, but like I had mentioned earlier, we don't want to get up there and just chance it.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. We really enjoy hunting that area, and are looking forward to going.

Thanks for letting me on the forum, hope to hear something back!

[albertadeer]

Stay at moonshine lake, Hunt the river valleys and the North side of the hills.

[hal53]

Well sites are a "lease", and the majority up there will be sour, not a good idea...

[Mike_W]

Lots of Crown out that way lots of hunter though too especially early season. I gave up on 358 probably 6 years ago as the amount of hunters running around with bugle tubes and the latest "elk magnet" and ruining hunts got discouraging.
Also don't be afraid to go east of Woking

Get a county map it will help determine crown and private. If you call the county office I think they will mail out one at least they use too.

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by Mike_W

Lots of Crown out that way lots of hunter though too especially early season. I gave up on 358 probably 6 years ago as the amount of hunters running around with bugle tubes and the latest "elk magnet" and ruining hunts got discouraging.
Also don't be afraid to go east of Woking

Get a county map it will help determine crown and private. If you call the county office I think they will mail out one at least they use too.

this^^

I gave up on those hills around the same time and moved into areas not blabbed about province wide as elk mecca.

Best move Ive made next to spending more time in the bow season and less in rifle with the quadders that didnt get their moose draw.

[thatalbertaguy403]

I agree with what your saying about the hunters. There's definitely a lot. Last year we were up in the late season, and there was a lot of road hunting going on, something I don't enjoy at all. We spent a lot of time in the trees on some occupied crown and we were successful. I have land and county maps for both spirit river and saddle hills. I definitely appreciate the feedback. We are hoping to get away from everyone and get into the unoccupied crown land and pack in our tent and gear. We really don't like running into other hunters also. We have cow tags for 358 so going east won't be an option for us this year or heading up to moonshine lake.

All this help is appreciated, any little info will help us out again this year.

[GWN]

Originally Posted by thatalbertaguy403

I agree with what your saying about the hunters. There's definitely a lot. Last year we were up in the late season, and there was a lot of road hunting going on, something I don't enjoy at all. We spent a lot of time in the trees on some occupied crown and we were successful. I have land and county maps for both spirit river and saddle hills. I definitely appreciate the feedback. We are hoping to get away from everyone and get into the unoccupied crown land and pack in our tent and gear. We really don't like running into other hunters also. We have cow tags for 358 so going east won't be an option for us this year or heading up to moonshine lake.

All this help is appreciated, any little info will help us out again this year.

I think you have hit it right there, get off the roads and work the bush, with all the road hunters and crowds generally that is where you will find them, if you have the time get up here and knock on some doors or start calling poeple off the county land map

Good luck

[newguy]

You mentioned your crew may stay in a campground as a hunt camp. Check the regs because you can't hang any game in a provincial park our campground. Good luck on the hunt!

[thatalbertaguy403]

Yeah well we aren't sure now since our connections from last year don't seem to be panning out. We thought we had some solid connections, and they are great people but this year it will be tough cause we are going in the early season. Anyone have any general directions for a good place to set up camp? We know where we want to hunt and where we can, it's just where to set up a camp in the bush, when we go up there since it's a 12 hour drive we want to be able to just go in and set up without searching for a place to set up.

[BuckMaster101]

Spring lake campsite north of Hythe was closed last year sept 9, they also said they did want firearms in the campsite.

[thatalbertaguy403]

Has anyone stayed near Boone Lake? There is another body of water to the west of that also, not sure what its called. Kind of thinking of heading to an area between Gundy and Boone Lake, hopefully it will be far enough off the beaten trail that we will stay away from pesky road hunters and other parties.

[norwestalta]

Originally Posted by thatalbertaguy403

Has anyone stayed near Boone Lake? There is another body of water to the west of that also, not sure what its called. Kind of thinking of heading to an area between Gundy and Boone Lake, hopefully it will be far enough off the beaten trail that we will stay away from pesky road hunters and other parties.

Be careful there because I believe it is a grazing lease up there and permission might be hard to come by.

[marlin4570]

The roads in there (spring lake rd) are radio controlled and there's a pile of oilfield traffic. Lots of swamps and bush! Elk are there if you can find them.

[rmk800]

Crown land is tougher but the only way I have done it in that area. Find green forage where elk graze during the night on the edge of crown land and set up on the closest cutline with recent tracks between the forage crop and water/bedding. Be there before light and watch the line. Do the same at last light. The elk will be crossing at some point.

[thatalbertaguy403]

Originally Posted by rmk800

Crown land is tougher but the only way I have done it in that area. Find green forage where elk graze during the night on the edge of crown land and set up on the closest cutline with recent tracks between the forage crop and water/bedding. Be there before light and watch the line. Do the same at last light. The elk will be crossing at some point.

We have had luck in crown land in the past, we aren't afraid to be in the trees. We just need a good central area where we can put our tent and make it our home base. We don't want to be driving around, nothing like leaving the tent in the morning and walking to your hunting spot.

[slingshot]

Look along the roads for an old camp worked for us