Author Topic: Trophy Mule Deer, South or North? (Read 7727 times)

Paul · « **on:** June 03, 2015, 06:33:44 PM »

I have a P5 for mule deer, I will likely build it another year or two, I have never been a big mule deer hunter, I killed a few in the South Mitsue by Slave Lake in WMU 350 when it was on a general tag, the best being a 170 incher, which was the year after the first big burn there, my dad got a 178 the next day close to the same spot, pretty good for a bush mule deer where they have a general season. It's always more of an opportunistic hunt for me. I would like to maybe go for a real trophy when I get drawn, I have seen some big mulies up north around Valleyview area, my dad killed a hog there on his last hunting season before he passed away. I have also seen some big mule deer in the south, Drumheller area, Oyen, Medicine Hat. So if a guy wanted a big mule deer what do some of you recommend South or North?

Walleyes · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2015, 07:20:47 PM »

No doubt about it,, North West. I would pick the Peace River/ North of G.P. country. I have worked extensively in both areas and although at one time 15 years ago the south rivalled the peace country it doesn't anymore. Not to say there are no trophies left in the south it's my personal opinion a guy has a better chance at one in the North. They have decamated the southern herds in their attempt to curb cwd.

JMHO on the matter.

Weste · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2015, 08:19:53 AM »

Quote from: Walleyes on June 03, 2015, 07:20:47 PM

No doubt about it,, North West. I would pick the Peace River/ North of G.P. country. I have worked extensively in both areas and although at one time 15 years ago the south rivalled the peace country it doesn't anymore. Not to say there are no trophies left in the south it's my personal opinion a guy has a better chance at one in the North. They have decamated the southern herds in their attempt to curb cwd.

JMHO on the matter.

On an average year I would agree with you but I own land and hunt near Peace River and live in Lethbridge - This year I would hunt South. The deer populations up north have been crushed in recent winters while the south has been doing extremely well. come on down Paul, I will take you out.

mikeo2 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2015, 10:26:45 AM »

Quote from: Weste on June 04, 2015, 08:19:53 AM

On an average year I would agree with you but I own land and hunt near Peace River and live in Lethbridge - This year I would hunt South. The deer populations up north have been crushed in recent winters while the south has been doing extremely well. come on down Paul, I will take you out.

Exactly why im looking at putting in for the south and staying away from the border zones. I grew up in a border zone where giant mulies roamed and it was nothing to spot 10 or 15 180" plus in a rifle season. Now youre lucky for a single 180 deer all season. That's why I stopped putting in for around home even though I have lots of land access in the battle river valley. At least in my home zone they cut the tags back to lowere levels than 10 years ago and before the CWD fiasco. Hopefully they kept them reduced this year to. In another 5-10 years if they keep the tags low there will be some good bucks again, until then I hunt elsewhere. Looking at one zone we fish some reservoirs in SE of Calgary, another down along the 'merican border.

SnapShot · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2015, 04:20:37 PM »

I am trying to sort this dilemma out myself. Torn between 359,521,134,138...

I just want one good one on the wall. Can't decide on what's a better area

JIMMY 808 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2015, 05:50:17 PM »

P8 or so
Figure when I pull my tag I will also hire a guide.

Walleyes · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2015, 07:12:01 PM »

Quote from: Weste on June 04, 2015, 08:19:53 AM

On an average year I would agree with you but I own land and hunt near Peace River and live in Lethbridge - This year I would hunt South. The deer populations up north have been crushed in recent winters while the south has been doing extremely well. come on down Paul, I will take you out.

I thought they were coming around some the last couple years,, maybe not..

Good info weste..

Weste · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2015, 08:04:59 AM »

Quote from: Walleyes on June 04, 2015, 07:12:01 PM

I thought they were coming around some the last couple years,, maybe not..

Good info weste..

Last winter was good but the 2 previous were very hard on the populations. A couple more average to above winters and the deer population will be back on track in those areas.

Weste · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2015, 08:12:04 AM »

Quote from: JIMMY 808 on June 04, 2015, 05:50:17 PM

P8 or so
Figure when I pull my tag I will also hire a guide.

As long as you dont mind walking with a blind fold, my fees are pretty cheap! lol

blacktail · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2015, 07:45:43 PM »

If you ever wanna come around the 118 area let me know Paul
I have permission for a lot of land between 4 landowners

JIMMY 808 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2015, 07:57:49 AM »

Quote from: Weste on June 05, 2015, 08:12:04 AM

As long as you dont mind walking with a blind fold, my fees are pretty cheap! lol

This may give you a chance to hunt over the finest upland dogs in rocky lol.

BuckTracker · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2015, 08:06:24 AM »

Quote from: Paul on June 03, 2015, 06:33:44 PM

I have a P5 for mule deer, I will likely build it another year or two, I have never been a big mule deer hunter, I killed a few in the South Mitsue by Slave Lake in WMU 350 when it was on a general tag, the best being a 170 incher, which was the year after the first big burn there, my dad got a 178 the next day close to the same spot, pretty good for a bush mule deer where they have a general season. It's always more of an opportunistic hunt for me. I would like to maybe go for a real trophy when I get drawn, I have seen some big mulies up north around Valleyview area, my dad killed a hog there on his last hunting season before he passed away. I have also seen some big mule deer in the south, Drumheller area, Oyen, Medicine Hat. So if a guy wanted a big mule deer what do some of you recommend South or North?

There are great mule deer bucks in the northern and southern Alberta. In the north there is Bear Paw Outfitters and Mike's Guiding. In the south there is Silver Sage Outfitters and Double Diamond Outfitters. I hunt the south because I can therefore scout which will increase my odds of finding a big one. If I lived in the north, I would do the same; with the exception of whitetail my hunting is in the north. This is my 2013 southern Alberta buck......194 gross B&C.

Walleyes · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2015, 06:11:29 PM »

Very impressive deer buck tracker..

Springer · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2015, 05:27:47 AM »

Gorgeous Mount there Bucktracker...Big deer and nice Taxi work.

mikeo2 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2015, 07:28:40 AM »

maybe we should have a little contest this year. North vs South kind of thing. For fun of course....and bragging rights

Weste · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2015, 09:20:27 AM »

Quote from: mikeo2 on July 16, 2015, 07:28:40 AM

maybe we should have a little contest this year. North vs South kind of thing. For fun of course....and bragging rights

Works for me. Buddy of mine got his draw and we will be looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Should be a great fall.

mikeo2 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2015, 10:13:48 AM »

Quote from: Weste on July 16, 2015, 09:20:27 AM

Works for me. Buddy of mine got his draw and we will be looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Should be a great fall.

Myself as well. I fully expect to possibly not even shoot one because im holding out and hunting for a monster, although there is one buck ive spotted numerous times the past couple years that has an over 30 inch spread but weak back forks so he wouldn't score much more than 170 to 175, he will be awfully hard to pass up the last few days of the season, theres just something about him that I like.

Weste · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2015, 10:33:12 AM »

I passed this guy up 2 times because of weak back forks. Snuck up on him from behind twice and decided not to shoot based on the weak back forks. Third time I got a great look at him from the front and let the arrow fly. Anyway, he ended up grossing 195 so i made have made a mistake letting him go. lol

mikeo2 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2015, 10:51:11 AM »

that's a beauty buck. When I say weak back forks I mean really weak lol. If this deer had the forks yours has it would be a no brainer. that and the mass.

Another one from last fall that hopefully grows some more and into a shooter.

Weste · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2015, 08:33:37 AM »

Great looking bucks with some potential. Another year on each of those may take them over the top.