Author Topic: Wainwright  (Read 1987 times)

Doug N

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 356
    • Rusty Iron Acres- American Blackbelly Sheep
Wainwright
« on: December 10, 2011, 05:02:09 PM »
Back to the base this year for my third time. Four of us hunted the first rifle season this week. Wow, with the severe winter kill, the hunting was tough.

My hunting partners found a decent 4 pt MD in the annex, but weren't able to close the deal. I suspect he died shortly after.

I saw one small MD buck, 6 MD does, several moose,and ZERO wt's.

Had a great time, some good laughs, and lots of exercise.

For those who are heading up for the upcoming hunts, good luck and shoot straight!

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2011, 05:53:55 PM »
Had a buddy on the first hunt.  He shot a 150+ wt and saw 10 deer the first 4 the next and 0 the last day.  He said it was not a very exciting hunt but most likely shot one of the biggest deer this year as well. 

walleyes

  • Guest
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2011, 10:30:51 AM »
Better luck next time Doug.. Thx for the report.

Doug N

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 356
    • Rusty Iron Acres- American Blackbelly Sheep
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2011, 05:01:51 PM »
That's the way it goes. I've put in a lot of time on the base and in wmu 234. It's been a steady downhill slide with the quality and quantity of deer in the last 5 years. At least we  got out and we are on the right side of the dirt!!!!

Weste

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2011, 09:07:13 AM »
Is Wainright being affected by the CWD cull. I believe all the zones around have been getting hammered with the late season CWD cull.  I believe I am a priority 7 or 8 for there and trying to decide if its worth going in the next couple years.

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2011, 02:26:40 PM »
If you do go the only hunts worth it are the muzzleloader and the first hunt if you want to see a deer.  I went a couple years ago for the 2nd rifle hunt and I was lucky to see a handfull of deer in a few days.  I was pretty disapointed as i am use to seeing 50-100 deer in a day of hunting. 

Doug N

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 356
    • Rusty Iron Acres- American Blackbelly Sheep
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2011, 07:51:29 PM »
Is Wainright being affected by the CWD cull. I believe all the zones around have been getting hammered with the late season CWD cull.  I believe I am a priority 7 or 8 for there and trying to decide if its worth going in the next couple years.

The area surrounding the base was hit hard with the CWD cull and winter kill. I would not burn priority there for a while if you are after a big buck. Chances are slim.

Weste

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2011, 09:11:43 PM »
Thanks for the info Doug and Nube.  Will probably hold off until the numbers are up a bit.

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2011, 12:03:00 AM »
I went about 2 years ago Weste when numbers were good!!!  I saw more moose than deer.  It used to be a great spot for a big moose but not any more as well.  You can still expect to see 40"'s around there as I did but from others I have talked with they say there are not any of the real good ones left.  I think what has happened is the CDW killing and that they doubled the tags in the base as well and the poor beasts are either shot or they are hiding under a rock all season.  From all of the stats I have looked at the most deer are shot in muzzleloader season and then the number goes down and after the first hunt the number is way down in a massive way.  I feel bad for the last hunt.  I could't imagine trying to find a deer in that last hunt.

Weste

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1503
  • If I'm not Hunting then I am planning my next hunt
    • Alberta Sportsman
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2011, 08:25:43 AM »
A buddy of mine got a 57" moose with his bow in Wainwright a few years back and he said that there was a bigger one but he just didn't get a shot oppurtunity.  Its too bad that the zone has been ruined that way, I was always thinking it would be a great late season bonus hunt, that had some great potential.  I will keep watching, should have enough priority that I can get any hunt I want in the zone.

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: Wainwright
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2011, 10:09:54 AM »
Sure it has some great potential as any area does but it is not what it was a few years back and don't expect to see apile of animals.  I imagine there are still some massive animals on there but to me personally it is not worth my time if I am chasing antlers.  If you have some spare time and money and are not expecting more than some time to hunt it can be a fun hunt to get out and see something different.  I hunted the annex the whole time last time and if I go again soem day I will try something different and hit the other side and see some new country