Help please - Northern Elk herds and tips
 

My father and I are on a adventure and arrived late last night to La Crete from Edmonton on the search for our general Elk and mule as we didn’t get draws this year. We will talk go talk to the CO this am but was wondering if anyone wanted to give us any insight to 535, 528, 520, 537 . It would be amazing to fill these tags together and have friends up here we can return the favour for down in 242 and Surrounding areas . Thanks in advance ! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...feae656079.jpg


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No offense but did you do any homework before the hunt

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Guy on the left would get short shrift around here. :lol:

Grizz

Wasn’t even aware of elk in lacrete area. I know there are elk in manning area and some around carcajou that probably migrated through from hawk hills. Not saying there’s no elk there, just that I’ve never heard about it. Would be interesting to know how far north they got to...

Help please - Northern Elk herds and tips
 

My fathers response to the internet-
“ There are shooters, hunters, and explorers - try exploring - it’s how we did it before The internet , made new and lifelong friends through shaking hands and it’s a hell Of a lot Of Fun” [emoji2960][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I have however checked stats on MWA and gone through herd surveys on abma . Not huge herds but they do apparently exist in the buffalo hills between 535 and 528 since we didn’t get drawn we are stuck in general WMUs . We have our general whitetail and mule tags as well so no elk doesn’t bother us. We are happy to explore this crown land bonanza, to test our bush craft and knowledge and reach out to others in the spirit of goodwill .

So anyone with info about the area please feel Free to reach out , especially if would like to Join in on the adventure [emoji16]

“ People looking to feel important by criticizing others need not apply “ - My Dad [emoji91][emoji91][emoji91][emoji23]


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X2
Good luck
Post pics if you get anything

See post above . Thanks we will!


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Your dad hosted several safety classes I took long ago (unless my memory is really bad). Nice guy.
While I can't offer any good advice for spots, I'll wish you guys the best of luck!
Keep us posted on the adventure.

If you swing through Ft. Vermillion there is a bed & breakfast outside of town near the chopper base. Hit up the owner there. Boyd is his name. He’ll hook you up. Tell him his cousin Kevin says hi.

I've got friends up there who have been connecting with nice elk for the last couple of years, my friend's son took a beauty 6x6 at right around 300 yards with one shot from the .243 a month ago or so. Same son got a monster WT last year, he has all the luck that kid. Anyway, there are some nice elk being taken up in 528 and 535 apparently. I don't have any help for the OP as I'm not really from that area, just drop in to visit the wife's family once a year or so...

You bet ! Jacques is my father and owns safety coordination and Leduc safety . Thanks I will for sure !


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Thank you so much ! We are meeting up with Boyd tomorrow am to talk
Monster white tails and potential elk runs [emoji16] Very much appreciated and keep you updated !


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I am familiar with 537 and 528 and know a bit about 520 but not the other WMUs

As mentioned there are a few Elk in Carcajou, but don't mention La Crete if you want to hunt there. And expect stiff competition.
There are only three land owners there, two are hunters who like to keep their land for themselves and their relatives.
The third is a non hunter who isn't particularly fond of hunting but does allow some friends to hunt his land. I don't know where he stands on outsiders hunting his land.

I also am not aware of any Elk north of Carcajou/Keg River. Not saying they aren't there, just that I have not seen any that far north.

520 has plenty of Elk close to Peace River but I doubt you'll find any through the rest of that zone, it's 99.99 percent bush, with tons of Wolves.

Maybe along the river. I have seen Elk along the river further north.

Thanks keg river , so far everyone has been really friendly up here . Luckily there are Road allowances and crown land galore too [emoji6]


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The elk have been migrating north along the Peace River for years, takes awhile before they get established farther north. They need to learn how to avoid the wolves. A few years back when I started hunting in Peace country their were no elk north of the Wapati river south of Grand Prairie or North of Whitecourt.

I don't often see Elk sign on crown land. Around here they seem to prefer farm land. Maybe to avoid wolves. But there are patches of crown land among the farms that might be worth looking at.

Wish I could help you more but I'm not having any luck finding Elk and I have lived here all my life.

We found heavy sign of them [emoji48] hopefully the herd makes an appearance ! I would say the troop is about 20 head and -Artemis willing- wanders where we have permission [emoji1695]


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Wmu 535 is draw only for mule deer.
And it’s not quite as bad as keg says, but almost...[emoji28]
Plenty of crown land around, not a whole lot of elk though.


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Do not walk a full circle around anyone while in Lacrete.

Is that a personal hygiene crack or some neurological dig?

Help please - Northern Elk herds and tips
 

Hunt update -

First and foremost thank you to everyone who chimed in with advice! We certainly had an adventure but first I want to shout out to

Boyd from country garden bed and breakfast - a true hunter, ranger and nice guy who allowed us permission on some Of his land and his swanky tower blind ! Thank you!

-Kyler Knudsen from wingmaster outfitting for a few hot tips .

-The lease holders who grudgingly allowed us access without coming for a quad ride during our hunts to “check fences”

-The elusive elk who were always a little ahead of me and taught me patience and trust my gut when a few tried to point me in the other direction.

- The smart AF whitetail buck who would grunt back but not step out of cover until 10 minutes past legal light [emoji1749]*[emoji3601]

- the other landowners who refused any permissions vehemently making us get creative on where and how to hunt [emoji23]

On the whole we had an amazing time I can say this for the area the people are friendly and helpful - made ya feel welcome ( honestly)

Populations are hunted and poached hard( by local report) , it was a bit sad to see how low the numbers are.... I never understood predator hunting until walking the Bush there and finding ABSURD Amounts of wolf sign and of course while stalking in the bush having one appear nose in the air and locking eyes with it for a second !!![emoji47][emoji191] so yeah I’m no longer opposed to that .

All in all I got to spend a week bickering with my father about how and where to hunt, walking in the woods and sneaking up to the edge of fields , shivering and listening to the lonely whisper of the wind . We explored trails and roads , laughed a lot , ate a lot and made memories. I’m grateful for every minute.

Now it’s time to actually kill something.

Tread lightly through the forest with love and respect in your heart.

-Erinawol

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If by a few years you mean 45 years, then I believe you. My uncle helped transplant elk to North Star by Manning in the 70’s.

Ya, people who live in Spirit and Wanham say there were no elk there til mid - late 70’s. and wolves only appeared in late 90’s.

TBark

Thanks for the update and the great write-up.
It's too bad you guys couldn't connect with anything, but it sounds like you had a memory-filled trip with your dad just the same.
If not already, in 20 years you'll cherish that more than any animal taken..
Good luck on the next hunting adventure. Hopefully it involves another blind like that one! Wow.

Glad you had smiles and laughter with your father.

Thanks to those who offered constructive advice. That's what AO is about.