Must visit stops while hunting?

[Arachnodisiac]

Hey all,

As many of you already know, I write for Alberta Outdoorsmen.

I want to profile some of the cool and out-of-the-way stops that deserve a little attention - especially if we can help drum up some business for some of these places outside of hunting season too.

So, restaurants, hunting supply, hotels, bed and breakfasts... I'm looking for the unique, and locally owned cool places that you would insist on taking someone if they came from far away to hunt with you.

Post here, feel free to throw up some photos, and tell some stories. If you know the owner's name, let me know and hopefully I will get the opportunity to write about them.

Thanks all!

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Ranchmen Inn, Manyberries AB. Think is closed?
Cookhouse Saloon, Cynthia AB.
Debolt Hotel, Debolt AB.
Fry Stand, Cutbank River AB.

[Red Bullets]

My 2 cent ideas...

Instantly thought of EmTee town west of South Buck Lake but see it has closed and is for sale. It was a place that a fellow built to resemble an old west town site with functioning hotel rooms and saloon. Has an interesting history and in a beautiful location. Would have been article worthy as an interesting destination. Maybe someone will revive it.
https://www.emtetown.com/

Just a possible idea....
One sort of forgotten history that would make good travel destinations are the original ferry landings at different rivers. Used to be several but only a few ferries remaining. Some of the unused landings are still accessible and even camped at or used for canoeing access points.
There is an older book called "Ferries and Ferrymen in Alberta" written by Elisabeth Haestie that would be a good research book for all the locations. The book can be found online.

One more idea... for parklands surrounding the Edmonton area... outdoorsy drive with historical aspects. Most of the roads that follow the trail route are not paved but good graded gravel roads.
The Victoria trail came to fort Edmonton from the east following along the north side of North Saskatchewan river. It is a wonderful drive through this area of the province with a destination points like the Victoria settlement historic spot or an original stopping area that was part of the 1873 march west by the NWMP. At Victoria settlement was a traditional river crossing area too for trails to the south. Good opportunities to see wildlife and bird life along the drive. Fishing along the river is possible in places along the trail/road too. I think it is an Alberta gem.
http://www.kalynacountry.com/victoria-trail/

[landowner]

I know you already are aware of this place ...Twin Butte General Store and Mexican food. Lots of hunters like this place especially during the winter elk season.

[MountainTi]

Looking like Mountain Aire Lodge may be opening up again this year

[czechm8]

Longview Jerky Shop in Longview, AB - also makes for great snacks on the hunt.

[Talking moose]

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...t=Greasy+spoon
Many may not be currently in operation still however.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Looking like Mountain Aire Lodge may be opening up again this year

That would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath. they've got to get that pump house away from the river, before it falls in. A lot of work needs to be done there. My vote is for Caroline Supplies, one of the best gun and gun related stores in Alberta plus other outdoor supplies and their hours are more than generous. Reg still runs the store after I don't know how many decades. Can't go through Caroline without stopping there.

Grizz

[Walleye Willy]

Stop there often. They have everything from hunting and fishing supplies to soft ice cream.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

That would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath. they've got to get that pump house away from the river, before it falls in. A lot of work needs to be done there. My vote is for Caroline Supplies, one of the best gun and gun related stores in Alberta plus other outdoor supplies and their hours are more than generous. Reg still runs the store after I don't know how many decades. Can't go through Caroline without stopping there.

Grizz

As mountain aire sold on the weekend, hopefully they get cracking on it. Coincidentally one of the guys that bought it used to own my place. Already have a plan in place for water.
Reg is being phased out by his daughter

[catnthehat]

The Patricia Hotel is a place that needs to be experienced to be described.
Absolutely great staff, and Joe the owner is the very best guy when it comes to trying to please a guest.

It's not for everyone, but if you don't mind stepping over a Golden Retriever or to to get upstairs, grilling your own steak for dinner in a cowboy bar, and enjoying a small area for breakfast , it is the greatest place to stage a pheasant hunt from!
Cat

[The Cook]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

The Patricia Hotel is a place that needs to be experienced to be described.
Absolutely great staff, and Joe the owner is the very best guy when it comes to trying to please a guest.

It's not for everyone, but if you don't mind stepping over a Golden Retriever or to to get upstairs, grilling your own steak for dinner in a cowboy bar, and enjoying a small area for breakfast , it is the greatest place to stage a pheasant hunt from!
Cat

And us deer hunters love it also. Kind of a hunting camp for folks that don't have a hunting camp. A truly great place run by truly great people.

[calgarychef]

Well we always used to stop for a “scenic pee” along the edge of horse shoe canyon.

I’d never drive past vermillion without stopping in at the local Chinese restaurant.
I think it’s called “jade garden” or something like that. Delightful owner who recognizes me every time and I’ve only been there a few.

There’s a rock shop around cold lake somewhere “Livingston ....something or other. The owner is an accomplished artist, gold smith etc.

[rockymountaintrapper]

most definitely HOLE IN THE WALL café CADOMIN

[omega50]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

The Patricia Hotel is a place that needs to be experienced to be described.
Absolutely great staff, and Joe the owner is the very best guy when it comes to trying to please a guest.

It's not for everyone, but if you don't mind stepping over a Golden Retriever or to to get upstairs, grilling your own steak for dinner in a cowboy bar, and enjoying a small area for breakfast , it is the greatest place to stage a pheasant hunt from!
Cat

Been there often over the years.
Was there in the middle of summer once back around 2007 and there were about 8 Redneck Hunters all camo-ed up-Face paint, Deep South accents and drunk as skunks.
Got curious as to what might be open for hunting.
Turns out they had all come up to shoot Crows

They were acting like they were on their dream hunt in Africa
Love that bar.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by rockymountaintrapper

most definitely HOLE IN THE WALL café CADOMIN

Let's not get too excited, that refers to the hole in the kitchen wall, they pass the food through, into the tiny dining "room".

Grizz

[dodgeboy1979]

Derwent hotel for the pizza.

[TrollGRG]

It would be nice of you to include the general area of the province if you don't want to name the town it is located in.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by dodgeboy1979

Derwent hotel for the pizza.

yup...Der'went my pizza!!!! neat little establishment....

[Jack Hardin]

Caroline Supplies in Caroline, guns and fishing supplies. Also in Caroline is the Long Branch Saloon. A few years back the washrooms at the Long Branch were identified by Heifer and Steer, city folks were confused so they changed it.

[1shotwade]

Many years ago 30 + Me and my best friend were barely teenagers and on our first antelope hunts. Our dads took us to the Hilda hotel and they let us in. We had a blast and I had to drive back to the camp lol !! The woman who ran it cooked us supper and gave us all the pop we wanted! Beat sitting in the truck with a box of smarties!!!

[Dewey Cox]

I don't travel much to hunt (the best spots are within shouting range of my house)
When I was in Wainwright last december I ate at a restaurant that everyone on here recommended (can't remember the name now) and it was full of people in town for the hunt. It was in an older building, and had guns and antiques all over the walls. The boneless chicken wings (more like "deboned chicken wings") were pretty fantastic.

Anytime I go ice fishing at gull lake, I make sure to stop at the wooden shoe. I but some snacks and whichever wire worms are flying out the door, and I usually do ok.

[Sundog57]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

The Patricia Hotel is a place that needs to be experienced to be described.
Absolutely great staff, and Joe the owner is the very best guy when it comes to trying to please a guest.

It's not for everyone, but if you don't mind stepping over a Golden Retriever or to to get upstairs, grilling your own steak for dinner in a cowboy bar, and enjoying a small area for breakfast , it is the greatest place to stage a pheasant hunt from!
Cat

^^^^^ THIS!!!!^^^^^^
Haven't been for a couple of years
I miss everyone there

[JDK71]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

That would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath. they've got to get that pump house away from the river, before it falls in. A lot of work needs to be done there. My vote is for Caroline Supplies, one of the best gun and gun related stores in Alberta plus other outdoor supplies and their hours are more than generous. Reg still runs the store after I don't know how many decades. Can't go through Caroline without stopping there.

Grizz

he is a great guy support the store at least three times a week

[6.5 shooter]

Empress AB.. if your into artsy, fartsy... a unique experience..

Aladdin Wyoming...best bacon on the planet.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

A few years back the washrooms at the Long Branch were identified by Heifer and Steer, city folks were confused so they changed it.

Thought it was still labeled that way. Apparently I don't pay much attention

[JDK71]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Thought it was still labeled that way. Apparently I don't pay much attention

I think it still is I will check it out on wing night!

[mindoutside]

Fallen timber meadery!

[JeanCretien]

Alexander’s Restaurant in Rycroft is an experience for anyone in the SHs. Your bowels will make creations fit for a museum.


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[IR_mike]

Oddly enough former AO dude and Rycroft resident BB 356 told me the same thing a few years ago while passing through town.