Actual Suffield hunt information

[Chip]

I am thinking seriously about applying for the cull hunt. I understand that it is not a "classic" hunt in any way however, Sooner attempted to gain some real knowledge about the hunt and as usual unfortunately, it went sideways. 2000 metre shots? really?

Let's assume I have a proper truck, tires, rifle, and a place to stay. Can someone who has hunted cow elk at Suffield (and only someone who has done it) please speak about the logistics of the hunt? For example: is it pretty much driving around until you spot an animal, stepping away from the vehicle and shooting? (along with many others?) My perimeter drive over Christmas was not what I expected in terms of topography. There must be some tree cover somewhere right? Are there some places you can walk to mix it up a little? What is a typical pre-hunt briefing like? Real info. It's not like I'm asking anyone to give up their favorite hunting spot. Appreciate some accurate details as my in good shape 76 year old father would be joining me on the hunt.

[AlbertaCutthroat]

When we have hunted out there (several times now) the open area had one tree, not what you would call cover. Elk were in the bald prairie and generally about 20 groups of hunters were all trying to get them at the same time. It is only a matter of time before someone gets shot out there if hunters don't start thinking straight and using common sense.
It is not physically demanding even if you are on foot getting ahead of elk. I recommend avoiding the jump out and shoot method as you WILL BE IN THE LINE OF FIRE. Try to guess where they are going so you don't have everyone shooting at once. Other option, follow the herd and tag the dead ones as lots of guys flock shoot. We fired 1 bullet and got one elk, while walking to said elk we found 4 others which no one claimed. Guys get stupid when there's elk around. I hate being honest about this cull as it reflects badly on hunters, just telling you what actually happens out there. We do like elk so we do pick up some tags down there, i usually skip the first rush and go look for smaller groups of elk. We have filled all tags we've held down there but had bullets almost hit us on two occasions so I'm hesitant to return.

Be safe everyone!

[alder]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCutthroat

When we have hunted out there (several times now) the open area had one tree, not what you would call cover. Elk were in the bald prairie and generally about 20 groups of hunters were all trying to get them at the same time. It is only a matter of time before someone gets shot out there if hunters don't start thinking straight and using common sense.
It is not physically demanding even if you are on foot getting ahead of elk. I recommend avoiding the jump out and shoot method as you WILL BE IN THE LINE OF FIRE. Try to guess where they are going so you don't have everyone shooting at once. Other option, follow the herd and tag the dead ones as lots of guys flock shoot. We fired 1 bullet and got one elk, while walking to said elk we found 4 others which no one claimed. Guys get stupid when there's elk around. I hate being honest about this cull as it reflects badly on hunters, just telling you what actually happens out there. We do like elk so we do pick up some tags down there, i usually skip the first rush and go look for smaller groups of elk. We have filled all tags we've held down there but had bullets almost hit us on two occasions so I'm hesitant to return.

Be safe everyone!

Wow! Can I withdraw my application?

[Looper]

Originally Posted by Chip

I am thinking seriously about applying for the cull hunt. I understand that it is not a "classic" hunt in any way however, Sooner attempted to gain some real knowledge about the hunt and as usual unfortunately, it went sideways. 2000 metre shots? really?

Let's assume I have a proper truck, tires, rifle, and a place to stay. Can someone who has hunted cow elk at Suffield (and only someone who has done it) please speak about the logistics of the hunt? For example: is it pretty much driving around until you spot an animal, stepping away from the vehicle and shooting? (along with many others?) My perimeter drive over Christmas was not what I expected in terms of topography. There must be some tree cover somewhere right? Are there some places you can walk to mix it up a little? What is a typical pre-hunt briefing like? Real info. It's not like I'm asking anyone to give up their favorite hunting spot. Appreciate some accurate details as my in good shape 76 year old father would be joining me on the hunt.

I'll try and help. I've been twice. Theres no trees. Its rolling hills of prairie. Its been chewed up pretty good by tanks. You can pretty much drive anywhere you like within the hunting area as there are "trails" of some sort everywhere. The elk were in fairly big herds when I was there. Range Patrol will help you find them. It could be a simple as finding a couple yearlings that were seperated from a herd by other hunters or it could be like the one day where 44 guys cut off a herd of 1000 and it was a bloodbath.

You could walk your legs off if you so choose but I doubt it would be real productive unless you are trying to position your self ahead of oncoming animals.

The brieifng is fairly painless. They show some slides, explain the rules etc.

Orange vest is the minimum requirement. You'll get and ID card for your dash which will allow you to leave if you like. There is a Canex store in Ralston which is awesome. Has everything you need as far a grub, pops, fuel and stuff.

Each day I was there there was an assigned entry point which can be along way from the Theatre in Ralston where the brieifng is. Theatre is very easy to find very well marked. A spare can or 2 of fuel in the back not a bad idea.

I think people are overthinking it. Take a truck, a gun, and some fuel. Go to the brieifng and away you go. Make a friend or 2 at the brieifing so you have some help if you get stuck. You dont want to have to pay a tow truck out of the Hat if you drive into a tank track.

They ask that if you down an animal that you walk the route first to make sure its ok to drive, then drive to your animal.

If your animal is hit and goes out of bounds Range Patrol will retrieve it for you provided you can show a blood trial from inbound area. If it goes into the wildlife area or a a few other off limits areas then it is gone. Dont even ask.

Prepare to see alot of bulls. its pretty cool.

Looper

[Chip]

Thank you for your candid and honest feedback Alberta. I kind of suspected that after a sighting, that there would be some free for all shooting with more elk on the ground than tags. Unfortunately, If you look at it from the standpoint of helping to reduce the herd size, I guess the cull is the only real way of doing it. I'm also not surprised to hear about the danger side of it.
A reality of having that many hunters zoning in on a herd of elk.

[elkhunter1234]

^^^^^^x2^^^^^^^ what looper said

[Looper]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCutthroat

When we have hunted out there (several times now) the open area had one tree, not what you would call cover. Elk were in the bald prairie and generally about 20 groups of hunters were all trying to get them at the same time. It is only a matter of time before someone gets shot out there if hunters don't start thinking straight and using common sense.
It is not physically demanding even if you are on foot getting ahead of elk. I recommend avoiding the jump out and shoot method as you WILL BE IN THE LINE OF FIRE. Try to guess where they are going so you don't have everyone shooting at once. Other option, follow the herd and tag the dead ones as lots of guys flock shoot. We fired 1 bullet and got one elk, while walking to said elk we found 4 others which no one claimed. Guys get stupid when there's elk around. I hate being honest about this cull as it reflects badly on hunters, just telling you what actually happens out there. We do like elk so we do pick up some tags down there, i usually skip the first rush and go look for smaller groups of elk. We have filled all tags we've held down there but had bullets almost hit us on two occasions so I'm hesitant to return.

Be safe everyone!

Dont let this stop you. Sounds like this gent had a bad experience. We had alot of fun. Its a big area. Go out on your own. Get away from the crowd. 125 trucks is all that will be there at a time at the very most. Some dont show at all, some dont come every day. Some tag out and dont come back at all. The brieifng crowd gets pretty small toward the latter part of the week.

Looper

[Chip]

Excellent again! Thanks Loop.

[slopeshunter]

Originally Posted by alder

Wow! Can I withdraw my application?

Just wait til next year when they're chasing after Bulls! And to the OP, it's exactly as Looper said.

[AlbertaCutthroat]

Originally Posted by Looper

Dont let this stop you. Sounds like this gent had a bad experience. We had alot of fun. Its a big area. Go out on your own. Get away from the crowd. 125 trucks is all that will be there at a time at the very most. Some dont show at all, some dont come every day. Some tag out and dont come back at all. The brieifng crowd gets pretty small toward the latter part of the week.

Looper

Been out there on 4 different occasions, just sharing our experience. We did return in the past but like i said avoid the rush. I'm encouraged to hear somebody that hasn't had the bullets flying by them out there. Lots of guys that just kept shooting as the elk didn't tip immediately, it wasn't bad when we skipped the first two days. I'm hoping hunters who read this and end up out there put effort into being safe and not getting too caught up in the hunt. Lots of eyes and if someone gets shot say goodbye to any opportunities out there. The two elk tags and human greed do worry me a bit, there could be a lot of lead flying and I wouldn't want to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time. I know several other guys that swore never again so not just our experience, not trying to discourage applying but simply encourage safety and a cautious attitude going in.

[tre5]

Whats it like driving trucks out there? more towards 1ton Diesels. do guys take quads with tub trailers out or best off to be in a truck? seems to me the weather is pretty mild down that way worst part is the wind so maybe a quad isn't the best idea??? thanks

[mightybuck]

Does anyone know if they allow natives on the base to sustenance hunt?

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by tre5

Whats it like driving trucks out there? more towards 1ton Diesels. do guys take quads with tub trailers out or best off to be in a truck? seems to me the weather is pretty mild down that way worst part is the wind so maybe a quad isn't the best idea??? thanks

perhaps we should have kept one thread because this was answered in the other one.

no off-road vehicles allowed, no atv's, side by sides, snowmobiles, etc..

[Flatlandliver]

One more time.

http://mywildalberta.com/hunting/hun...lk-Oct2014.pdf

[Andrzej]

Originally Posted by tre5

Whats it like driving trucks out there? more towards 1ton Diesels. do guys take quads with tub trailers out or best off to be in a truck? seems to me the weather is pretty mild down that way worst part is the wind so maybe a quad isn't the best idea??? thanks

No ATV and Snow-machines on the Base.

[tre5]

Missed the part on second page that mentioned the no atvs or snowmobiles just read the part about typical passenger vehicles not recommended. Thanks! For the replys

[hunterfisher]

[QUOTE=tre5;2687459]Missed the part on second page that mentioned the no atvs or snowmobiles just read the part about typical passenger vehicles not recommended. Thanks! For the replys[/QUOTE tpv

[BuckHunterBowen]

No pictures..bummer