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General Hunting Information

Area Hunted

The area we hunt is the Upper Highwood, Sheep, and Elbow River drainages and the six mountain ranges that surround them. This area runs from the Forestry boundary foothills area on the east to the Continental Divide on the west, which makes up the Alberta-British Columbia border. This area roughly comprises about 1200 square miles of hunting area, all very mountainous. My ranch is 50 miles southwest of Calgary and my hunting territory starts on the edge of the ranch and goes west and south to the Divide.

Permits and Ratios

All hunts are one on one.

I have a limited number of big game permits so the number of non-residents who can hunt this area is also very limited. The resident hunting in this high mountain area is controlled, as to hunt this area, a resident must first win a lottery which only allows them to hunt the area every two years if he's exceedingly lucky.

My elk/mule deer combination hunts run for 10 days and starts around the 17th of September. This way we can rifle hunt elk during the rut (bugle) season. These hunts are a very physical hunt due to the rough country.  It is important to be in the best shape you can be in.  These hunts are horseback hunts in the high mountains out of comfortable tent camps. The altitude you will be hunting is from 5,000 to 8,000 feet.

We have a very limited Shiras moose hunt. This hunt is in the prime rut, about the first week of October.

The Black Bear hunt is a spot and stalk hunt in the mountains using horses out of a tent camp. This hunt is held during the second week of May just after the bears start coming out of their mountain dens. At this time of year their fur is in excellent shape. If you have an adventurous attitude, this hunt is for you.

We also have 5 day mule deer hunts and Mule Deer/White Tail combinations which are run out of tent camps in the mountains. These hunts are in very high, rugged terrain and our results have been excellent on big mule deer. These five-day hunts are late season hunts running from the first week of October through the end of November. If we have black bear permits available, we can add them to the hunt.

For those that want a bit more luxury, we also offer a mule deer and mule deer/white tail combination out of the ranch. It is still a horseback hunt in high country, but you come back to the ranch at the end of the day for a glowing fire, hot showers and all the comforts of a log lodge.

Hunt Itinerary

The hunts are fully outfitted, the only thing you need is your rifle/ammo, good binoculars, sleeping bag and personal effects. We pick you up at the Calgary International Airport (preferring that you fly in one day before the hunt) and bring you out to the Ranch where you stay the night before the hunt, unless it is a full week of hunting out of the Ranch.

The next morning you get fitted to your horse, finish business and shoot in your rifle at our range. We then load up the horses and equipment and truck up to the trail head in the mountains where we head into camp.

Your rifle should be adequate to handle medium to larg sized game, 30.06 up to the larger magnums. You should be comfortable shooting ut to 300 yards.

There is no hunting in southern Alberta on Sundays by law, so if we have a layover day in the mountain camp, you can try your hand at cutthroat trout fishing at one of the high lakes, or just catch up on your relaxing.

Aftr the hunt, the last night will be spent at the Ranch. We will help you get your personal effects and trophy ready for flight (or a local taxidermist) and deliver you back to the Calgary Airport.

Hunting season runs from mid-September til the end of November.

Success Rates

Our average on elk for the last five years has been 75 to 100%. Our average on rifle moose hunts has also been 75 to 100%. Our mule deer hunts average 65 to 80%.

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