CANADA: ALBERTA - ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK HUNT (ARCHERY)

The season for archery Elk hunting in Alberta spans from the beginning of September to mid October. The first half of the season has Elk on a more predictable bed-to-feed pattern, while the second half of the season sees more bugle and rutting activity.

- Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer: Both species are available, quota dependant, and at times may be taken as targets of opportunity, with no size restrictions, for a flat rate trophy fee, payable upon successful harvest or mortal wounding/loss. Deer tags must be pre-purchased before hunting.

Mornings start early during a Rocky Mountain Elk hunt, as guides position hunters to intercept the herds as they begin exiting the fields en route to their bedding areas for the day. Hunts usually start from a vehicle, and then proceed on foot using spot & stalk or calling strategies. In the early season, thoughtfully positioned hay bale blinds or tree stands along major natural travel corridors have proven brutally effective. As the season progresses and the rut intensifies, more glassing and calling tactics are used as bulls become more aggressive and less focused on feeding. Middays are normally spent back at camp with a hearty brunch and a nap. Head back out to the field for afternoon archery Elk hunting and stay out until dark. The terrain and hunting strategies are varied, so hunts can be tailored to accommodate a range of physical abilities.

These Elk hunts in AB, Canada, occur during an archery-only season, and so rifle/muzzleloader hunting is not available.

Nearly all hunters bring their own archery equipment. A 60lb draw weight bow or more (traditional or compound) is recommended, with multi-sight pins and 8-12 arrows tipped with quality 100-125 grain 2-3 blade broadheads of solid construction. Crossbows are welcomed but require a medical or doctor's note to be considered legal archery equipment in Alberta during an archery-only season.

Hunt the fabled Alberta foothills, located at roughly 4000 feet elevation and hugging the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This rolling agricultural fringe is a mix of crop fields, pasture and grazing areas, backing up to endless forests of predominantly spruce and fir. Aspen trees mark transitional areas, while cottonwoods dominate the bottoms, as small, beautiful, clear rivers carve through the region with thick brushy banks providing game excellent escape cover. It’s a sportsman paradise with Mule Deer and Whitetail opportunities during the Elk hunts. But Grizzly Bears, Mountain Lions, Black Bears, Wolves, Moose, Lynx, Coyotes, Eagles, Beavers and migrating birds also share this landscape and call it home.

September is a beautiful time as quaking aspens change to their fall colors, and the first snowy outlines of the mountains paint the western backdrop. Mornings are usually crisp, with frost carpeting the ground overnight, but the days warm up as the sun climbs higher in the sky. However, in the best archery Elk hunting areas, significant weather change can occur on a dime, with occasional systems producing snow (even in September). Come October, the temperatures begin to drop more consistently, and dustings of snow can linger for several days. A wide range of temperatures could be experienced over the course of a week, so hunters should plan for anything from below-freezing to warm weather conditions when Rocky Mountain Elk hunting in AB, Canada.

These archery Elk hunts are based out of a comfortable ranch house lodge located deep on private property, directly in the heart of the hunting area. It is not uncommon to hear bugling bull elk from camp, making for exhilarating and potentially sleepless nights! Enjoy amenities such as cell service and Wi-Fi, usually private bedrooms and shared bathrooms, a common dining and lounge area, as well as a fire pit, archery range, and skinning/butchering shack complete with a hydraulic winch, cutting tables, and big freezers. This is an exclusive hunt, with max group size usually ranging from 2-3 hunters per week.

Home-cooked country cuisine is the order of the day when Elk hunting in Alberta. Piping hot meals with a variety of entries throughout the week finds our hunters content and full. Breakfasts are quick to get hunters in the field before sun-up, with items like coffee, tea, juice, toast, baked goods, yogurt, or fruit. After the morning hunt, hunters are treated to a hearty brunch with all the fixings, usually followed by a nap. Depending on the situation, lunches can be in the field. Once back from the evening hunts, enjoy a big home-cooked dinner with steaks, grilled chicken, elk burgers, ribs, lasagna, or pasta dishes, complete with sides of potatoes, rice, and soups or salads, followed by dessert.

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive at Calgary International Airport in Alberta. Complimentary round-trip airport shuttles to the lodge are included, with a short and scenic hour-long commute from the airport to the archery Elk hunting areas.

Travel Suggestions: Calgary is one of Canada’s major airports, and can usually be easily reached from most major North American airports offered by a number of airlines, often with direct daily flights. Logistics and travel plans are usually quick and simple for these Elk hunts in AB.

The Elk are carefully caped and labeled, the hides are then skinned, trimmed, and frozen onsite. Clients are welcome to return home with their trophies and/or meat (usually more feasible if driving vs flying). Otherwise, periodically throughout the season, the outfitter delivers all trophies directly to a capable local taxidermist in the Calgary area who can either do the complete work, or simply prep, permit, crate, and deliver trophies to an expeditor to be shipped nationally or internationally. Turnaround time ranges from 6-12 months, depending on the product. Meat can also be delivered to a local butcher for any specialized or detailed meat products or packaging, and can also be shipped if desired.

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