Suffield 2020
 

Does anyone have any current info on the 2020 Suffield Elk Hunt?
I’m looking for details such as Morning meeting time/location, etc. .
I’ve done a lot of searching, and cannot find any current info.

I emailed the gov. And they actually pointed me in the direction of this forum.
They were able to provide a bit of basic info, but nothing specific.

Thank you

The government told you to come here? What government?

These are GOA Environment and Parks links:

https://mywildalberta.ca/hunting/hun...Elk_201920.pdf

https://mywildalberta.ca/hunting/hun...-elk-hunt.aspx

Below was what was sent to me from AEP Info-center.gov.ab.ca, with “2018” Suffield information.

”Additionally, you can find a lot of great advice (and pose questions) via the Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum: http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca”[/url]

Thank you for links CNP, thats exactly what I was looking for.
Much appreciated.

Suffield
 

Ya, I've been trying to find info on Suffield too. Who knows anything about the "NWA" , north and south? Does anyone have ANY advice on hunting the base at all?

NWA is your best bet for a quality and successful hunt. They will not let you hunt it solo and have certain requirements regarding navigation and safety equipment. Typically there is a draw at the main briefing for NWA access (it is NOT guaranteed, at least the first day or two). You have to enter your name HOWEVER also note that other occupants of your vehicle (including helpers IIRC) can enter their name(s) as well. There is a second briefing for hunters drawn for the NWA. It is foot access only. If you are caught driving where you are not allowed expect to be escorted from the base and possibly banned. It is their house, their rules and if you get caught breaking the rules there will be consequences. They can and will (randomly) search vehicles (usually at the entrance gates) ..... NO alcohol, NO drugs etc ... NO exceptions. There are also posted speed limits. It is a huge piece of real estate and if you are driving all day maybe not a bad idea to carry spare fuel. If you are at the far Northeast corner of the base, driving at the posted speed limits expect to spend the better part of an hour to get back to the exit gate.

Feel free to message me if you would like to chat about Suffield.

Use the search bar for Suffield threads. There are dozens with lots of good info.

For the 2019 hunts, only hunters could put their names in for the NWA. We had 2 hunters so we got in everyday.

Most of the success was had around Mounted Rifles road. A few were killed in the main base, but the majority were around Mounted Rifles. Drive to the end of the road, park and walk SE.

Suffield
 

I am interested in a few things myself. I will be going on my first Suffield hunt this month. It mentions wearing orange, one can assume it is just referring to the normal level of orange right? Like an orange vest over my normal hunting gear and maybe an orange hat etc. Also, where do people stay during the hunt? I dont see any hotels in Ralston or Suffield, do you have to stay in medicine hat and drive the 50km each way daily?

The other thing, I want my dad to be my helper, but he isn't in the greatest shape, and a heavy smoker. Would be be able to get around ok? Don't want him to have a heart attack out there!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Its easy to get around. Hunted with my 86 year old grand father last year. Its all grassland with hills and coulees. The walking is easy to do on frozen grassland if the snow isn't too deep. You can see for miles. Good optics are a blessing! We put a couple multi hour stalks on bedded "elk" sized mule deer. Biggest I have ever seen. 12 inch tines poking up through the grass at 1km look very much like elk. We stayed in Medicine hat and its a very long drive, especially if you are hunting the NWA. Orange vest will suffice.

I’ve only hunted the base once. Elk can hide in the smallest depressions, only lots of walking will reveal these depressions and coulees.

Suffield
 

Thanks guys!

One thing I do not own are good binoculars or a range finder. Perhaps something to invest in before I go!

Do you have to stay in medicine hat?

You can stay wherever you wish. We stayed in the Hat.

Just make sure you are early for the briefing. By the time you get registered and your name in the for NWA you need to be seated before they start the presentation.

Do you have to have a partner if your NOT planning on heading into the NWA Zones?


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No, you do not. At least the last time I hunted there. I went solo for 4 days.

Thanks Lone Wolf!

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👍

definitely wont be set up in your spot prior to first light. depending on which gate north of Ralston they want or allow you to use from Ralston you could have another 20-30 min drive then about 30 min to an hr to get to the NWA area. lotsa land in between so stay focused. I hunted about 5 6 yrs ago solo, in the base and at the time NWA was not approved for hunting. guess where the elk were.. lol
this week the extreme cold has lifted and day highs expect be in the low single digits for the day, there is a bit of snow out in the area. good luck

Population?
 

Anyone know what they figure the population is at now?

It’s no where near what it used to be.

LC

Population estimation 2800-3500

Any big bulls killed this year???

Sorry but you are miss informed. Solo hunts are NOT an issue!!
My buddy shot his bull there on Monday & is hanging in my garage!


My bad just re read. U were talking bout the NWA..

i shot 2 cows last week on the base .
saw acherd of about a thousand

I can tell you from experience that you don't want to be even 10 seconds late. I hunted there once about 3 years ago and trusted my helper (who had hunted it before) to get us to the orientation. He took us into Suffield AND THEN took us to the south gates of the base before figuring out the orientation was in Ralston... My fault for not dotting my "I"s and trusting someone else. 2 Minutes late and had to turn around.

I spent Monday through Wednesday this past week. Sadly I wasn't able to fill my cow tags. Just couldn't get close enough. Did however walk up to 2 groups of bulls which had a few fine specimens, even a 7x7. Saw another bigger herd of 20 plus. This herd was reduced by one and another bull was shot in the front leg by the same group of hunters while we watched from a distance. Still managed to hear a ricochet from one shot. Found cover quickly as the group wasn't done shooting. They must have a had lots of bullets with them as they didn't hesitate to use a lot. This group also took the liberty of driving into the NWA to retrieve the downed bull a huge "known" mistake. Other hunters were after this same group but didn't seem to have any luck.

Also at the Wednesday briefing the group was informed yet another group drove into the NWA and was caught, fined $5000.00, escorted off the base and banned for 5 years. Unfortunately my partner and I thought it was the group we observed downing the bull so did not report it until we were checking out on Wednesday. After all the briefing warnings, the report of some one from the first hunt getting the boot and fined, people still feel the need to press their luck to fill a tag. Attitudes of some need to change or this hunt will be at risk of being shut down as per the AEP representative has stated.

My partner and I will be back if the hunt is continued. Not sure my knee will agree but it is an excellent opportunity to see some unique diverse habitat and if lucky fill a freezer. Approximately 35 bulls and cows were registered by 2 pm on Wednesday. Good luck to the February hunters and follow the rules please.

Two thumbs up for the staff organizing and running the hunt.

Al

good harvest
 

38 animals taken yesterday at Suffield, all in NWP

What is NWP? Did you mean NWA?

Sheds
 

Was out near black diamond 5 days ago and saw 3 muley bucks..all had horns attached.

Anybody know how many were taken on Wednesday 5th feburary.