Southern BC / Alberta guided Mule Deer Hunts?

[Jg75]

My 30th birthday is coming up next year and my wife asked what I wanna do for it, I vetoed the traditional trip to Vegas that most guys do and I think I want to go on a archery Mule Deer hunt in some sick country, Muleys are by far my favourite game to hunt and it’s been atleast 8+ years since I’ve shot or even seen a trophy Mule Deer where I hunt in Southern BC. I know there’s some great mule deer country in Southern Alberta and BC I just don’t know the area, I’d be willing to fork up the money for a guided experience. Just wondering if you guys know of any good outfitters in that area?

 

[Scottf270]

Most Alberta outfitters who kill good bucks with consistency are $12, 000 and up.

 

[Wheels]

Be careful if researching hunts on the Indian reservations. Had a buddy just get back from a reservation hunt in Alberta and didn’t see a shooter buck except off the reservation on private ground. I guess the tribe likes to eat venison more than sell hunts/tours.

 

[TWHrunner]

What do you consider to be “sick country”? Mountains or ??

 

[Rackmastr]

Def wouldnt be Southern BC if I was choosing. Lots of great options in Alberta way up north all the way down south. Really comes down to the type of hunt you want, terrain, etc.

 

[Koozer]

Most Alberta outfitters who kill good bucks with consistency are $12, 000 and up.

What do you consider "good bucks"??!!

 

[Scottf270]

Guy's who consistently harvest 180 + deer.

 

[Koozer]

I spent 7 days in AB in Nov and saw 1 buck that was over 160", and it was on property that we couldn't get permission to hunt on. It was the first guided hunt that I've ever been on, and all in all it was pretty disappointing.

 

[Scottf270]

Please share who you hunted with.

 

[Tmac]

Mackin Outfitting in southern Alberta does a nice job. Rifle hunted with Tyson twice. Some very good bucks in his area.

Mackin Outfitting LTD - Alberta Big Game Guide Service

Welcome to Mackin Outfitting! We are a big game outfitter that has been providing professional guide services for over ten years in Alberta, Canada. Our hunts take place in an area of Alberta that is known for it's diverse terrain and big game animal species that provide many opportunities for...

www.mackinoutfitting.com

 

[QuackAttack]

Def wouldnt be Southern BC if I was choosing. Lots of great options in Alberta way up north all the way down south. Really comes down to the type of hunt you want, terrain, etc.

As someone who isn’t familiar with BCs Mule Deer, is one part of BC better? Is the trophy and hunt quality better in Alberta than BC?

 

[Rackmastr]

As someone who isn’t familiar with BCs Mule Deer, is one part of BC better? Is the trophy and hunt quality better in Alberta than BC?

I’d rank Alberta over BC almost across the board. Some good bucks get killed in BC, but not nearly what Alberta has to offer, even in areas with reduced numbers or quality.

 

[Jg75]

Def wouldnt be Southern BC if I was choosing. Lots of great options in Alberta way up north all the way down south. Really comes down to the type of hunt you want, terrain, etc.

Seen lots of content about the rolling grassy hills of Southern Alberta which looks super fun for spot and stalk. Definetly not a still hunt guy

 

[Jg75]

I’d rank Alberta over BC almost across the board. Some good bucks get killed in BC, but not nearly what Alberta has to offer, even in areas with reduced numbers or quality.

I rolled thru the Rocky Mountain House area this past summer for work and saw some absolute FREAKS in Velvet not too far from the highway. Even the smallest buck in the group was the biggest I've seen in BC so far.

 

[Koozer]

Correct, there is some good deer in Southern Alberta. A few guys went up there last rifle season and harvested 2 respectable deer (mid 160"). They are heading back up there again this November. Prices increased significantly this year, which is a little mind-blowing.$13K-$15K for a mule deer hunt seems a little high. But I guess you can charge whatever you want as long as people are willing to pay it!

I went with an outfitter north of Calgary. It was a great experience (traveling wise). I wouldn't recommend the outfitter to anyone. I was just there as a paycheck to the owner of the outfit. My guide was good though, so that made a crappy situation a little better. Then again this was my first every outfitted hunt, so I didn't know what to really expect. But one would think that the owner of the establishment would come over and thank you for coming at least once in the 6 days that you are staying at his lodge.

So this year I purchased an area Elk tag that's closer to home and can hunt on my own for 4 months.