So i'm not really expecting anyone to give away any hot-spot information but here's the deal. Over the past few years I've been overly lucky obtaining draws for WT and MD, however this year I got the stink-eye. So looks like I'm going to be hunting the general season areas this year.

So last night over a scotch my thoughts are, after looking over the WMU map/google earth/my current location and some other random variables, I may want to check out 412/414 area with possibly some 316 mixed in. Am I out of my mind? Will I drive out there only to find it's me and my 10,000 closest friends roaming around there? For me, as I'm sure it is for all of you, safety is #1 and I have little desire to bump into other hunting parties every half hour in the bush. Not looking for road hunting, I'm good with setting up a weekend camp with my campervan and hiking from there for the day(s).

So again, I'm not asking for any specific info but if you could advise whether I should spend some time checking out the areas or should I pitch that plan in the trash and concentrate elsewhere, I would GREATLY appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks,

James

Ok James here's the scoop. Your asking about my old stompin grounds and you want to hunt WT & MD.

Well, you are close to Calgary and will likely bump into every Tom, Dick, Harry and their dog, especially on weekends. If you head into those WMU's do include 316 for both species. Before I continue, one thing I'll mention about 314 is, most of it's private and your probably wasting your time knocking on doors. OMO...
316 is an excellent zone for WT if you know where to go (we'll get to that in a minute) and I can post the pictures to prove it, if you like. I don't know what 316 is for MD sex now but there use to be a general season for bucks only....small bucks. It was always my opinion they should close it down for awhile and let em grow. WTS, I did take my share of small bucks out of 316. Google Cow Lake in the southern portion of the zone, get in there via the bible camp road and you'll find mulies. I wish I could show you how to get back to the sand hills, another hotspot for mule deer. Now for those white tails and big white tails. I pulled a few gaggers out of that zone. Hunted the same spot (my honey hole) every year and the guys couldn't believe the nice bucks I was taking, very close to the pit. Everyone knows where the pit is but no one knew where my spot was and like I said ver, very close to the pit.....Them city fellers would all walk right by me and keep on going....just the way I liked it. Long story short James....you have to do some scouting and learn the country to be successfull and that you will be, if you hang in there. I can probably pinpoint some spots for you on google earth, when I find time and figure out how to do it. I'm no high tech computer whiz but I get by.

Zone 412, both species deer in there and it's hit and miss. Again you have to spend time in there and learn the zone. If you do a lot of quadding in the summer time, do it in these zones. More moose in 412 than anything else if you can wait 5-7 years (maybe longer now) for a draw. I can't, I love the moose meat too much. Anyways, stay close to Waiperious Creek, River or what ever in the hell they call it for deer. Have seen some nice ones in there but never hunted that zone hard to score any. 316 was my zone....I'm retired now and am pretty much fulltime at our cabin in Sask so I don't mind helping you out. Any questions you have, fire away. BTW, damn nice pics you posted up. Never did hunt BC but sure would love to do a little salmon fishing there.
All the best and welcome to A.S.!

Ill say this about Alberta if you are willing to put in the work there are tons of possibilities for hunting, fishing and camping and I think we are lucky to have the opportunities.

Best of luck to everyone this year.

I shot a 170+ WT buck in 412 a few years ago.  It gets pounded hard though and never saw much for Mulies.