Alberta or Eastern Colorado

elcazador · Apr 11, 2009

I need some advice. I am looking at doing a guided archery hunt. So far I have found 3 good outfitters. Two in Eastern Colorado and one in Alberta. The prices are about the same except one in East Colorado has 1x1 hunts the others are 2x1.
For this much money, the goal is 180 or better.

The Alberta hunt is in September while Colorado is Nov.

Any advice? Is Aberta better than Colorado?

Thanks
Dave

nochawk · Apr 11, 2009

Alberta has bigger whitetails...

Colorado has bigger mulies...

which one do you want?
also Alberta is colder than heck in Nov

elcazador · Apr 11, 2009

Muleys!
Do you know anything about the Kiowa Colorado area? Its West of Colorado Springs.

elcazador · Apr 11, 2009

The Alberta hunt is in September. I thought that was a little early.

muzzy125 · Apr 11, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Apr-11-09 AT 08:43PM (MST)[p]http://www.bearpaw.ab.ca/

This outfitter is killing some of the biggest Mule deer in North America IMO.Scott is very hard working and honest and you will be hard pressed to find someone that says a bad word about him.

You might have to wait a few years and he is pricey but you will kill a good buck.

06/07 were terrible winters for Alberta and bearpaw still killed 13 bucks exceeding 180 points B & C.

Elkcrzy1 · Apr 11, 2009

7000.00 for an archery hunt ? Wow I must be behind times...lol Looks like they get some good bucks though. Looking at that outfitters price made me grateful for what I have for free.

ICMDEER · Apr 12, 2009

This is one of those situations where "the devil is in the details" because it depends upon the outfitter. In general, Alberta has bigger mule deer. I have hunted there 3 of the last 4 years. I live near Colorado and have bow hunted the eastern plains and hunt CO every year. Alberta has higher deer densities than most of the eastern plains, too. I have always seen more, bigger deer in Alberta than in the plains of CO.

And I'd go as early as possible. Hunting archery mule deer is better earlier. In the rut, the bucks will be travelling and with does. Earlier, you can spot and stalk them in their beds.

upmuley · Apr 12, 2009

Really both are awesome locations to tag a giant. I'd me more concerned about finding the right outfitter rather than whether it was AB or CO. Post the names of who you are looking at. Odds are some guys on here have hunted with them and have opinions.

jims · Apr 12, 2009

I don't know the exact prices of Colo vs Alberta hunts but at $7k you should be able to go on at least 2 or 3 Colo hunts for that same price? Many of the bucks in the Colo eastern plains are TF bucks with extra pts...if you like that kind of rack? I know a guy that has gone on 2 eastern plains hunts the past 2 years and has gotten 180 to 190ish gross TF bucks. There is never a "gimmy" when it comes to hunting muledeer w/bow and I'd hate to strike out if I paid $7k for 1 hunt!

jcmuleys · Apr 12, 2009

I would say that the Eastern Plains is not the cream of the crop for Colorado. I have never been to Alberta so I can't speak for there. The eastern plains is a tough place for and archer. Cameron Hanes hunted the eastern plains and didn't kill a very big deer. I consider Cameron to be a great archer and athlete. Its a tough hunt with a rifle, wide open country. Its not impossible but if i was spending that kinda dough i would want a rifle or muzzle loader in hand. Sounds like a great challenge. I would look on the west side of the mountains also some great deer are being killed there too.
JC

lostinOregon · Apr 12, 2009

I have been to alberta and agree with ICMDEER. Have done some research on the Colorado Plains and the good ones are 6K at the bottom end so I don't think you could go on two trips. I will be going back to Alberta no matter the price.

Rich

muzzy125 · Apr 13, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Apr-13-09 AT 12:53PM (MST)[p]Here is another Top Notch outfitters and one of the best IMO in Southern Alberta.

http://www.silversageoutfitters.com/

Excellent deer hunts,there archery ones are not to pricey.They are known for Antelope and are the number 1 Antelope outfitter in Alberta.

Is a great time to do a southern deer hunt as they have had a mild winter again this year.If you want to do an Alberta antelope hunt now is the time to go.With great winters and recent wildlife manegment tag cutbacks for residents bigger and bigger bucks are being killed.Last year was one of the best years for trophy heads (80+)in the last 10 years and the way things are looking this year will top last.

elcazador · Apr 13, 2009

In Alberta I have been talking to Graham Brigden about an end of Sept hunt. His hunts are about 5000 but they are 2x1. His references are good and he has some good pictures of bowhunter trophies. He has a thread on Bowsite.com
The other is in Eastern Colorado. I am concerned about the size of deer there and the wide open plains. Hard to stalk with a bow.

Altahunt · Apr 14, 2009

Here in alberta we definatly have some big deer.

To kill a 180+ on a 2on1 hunt is a tall order though. Especially if you dont know the other hunter.

Late september is a great time to hunt deer here because the bachelor groups are usually more broken up. We also have success here later into october if you can keep track of the big ones... sometimes they roam quite a ways.

Hunting in November would probably be really hit or miss especially for spot/stalking because the amount of does involved would come into play big time.

Brett

Fortis · Apr 15, 2009

It will be very interesting to see if outfitted hunt prices go down due to lack of demand (if any). I do not see how people in this economy will continue to pay these high prices. I hear in talking to broker/outfitters that Mexico hunts are going to take a free fall due to this. That being said I'd sure love to chase one of those big Canadian mulies.

Gator · Apr 16, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Apr-16-09 AT 07:42AM (MST)[p]Both great area's as you know. I would do the Alberta hunt. It just seem the muleys are a tad bigger in body and in horns. A sept hunt would be the kicker first up on the fall hunt and not toward the last part of fall after they had been chased around by other hunters. A 2x1 deal ISN'T that big of a deal it the stalking part that makes or breaks a hunt not another person with you and watching you.Sometime it is great to have another guy sitting on a escape route.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

bigbull1 · Apr 16, 2009

Having seen absolute monsters in Alberta in 2007, it gets my vote.

Check out the photo gallery at Alberta River Valley Lodge:
http://www.rivervalleylodge.com/hunting_pictures.php?level=collection&id=3

Lee McNarry the owner/guide does a great job getting all his clients monster deer.

Ed

www.huntpacks.com

muzzy125 · Apr 18, 2009

Alberta river valley lodge runs a top notch outfitt. I grew up with the Mcnarry's and know them very well.

I would not hesitate to reccomend them.

bigbull1 · Apr 23, 2009

Eh der Muzzy 125,

So have ya been by Tim Hortons lately for coffee? Seems like Chris and Lee are hooked by something in their coffee.

The whole McNarry family is first class. From Grandpa to the brother who runs the cattle...great people. I had a great time and seen some absolute pigs of muleys running around. I want to go back with my bow sometime soon.

Ed

www.huntpacks.com