Camp Wainwright

[maverick]

Just asking a general question, does anyone know if you can bring along an extra person in your party who has not been drawn to hunt on the base or is it hunters only. I should know this since I've done this hunt twice but the kids are getting old enough to come and asking if they are allowed.

[shedcrazy]

Non-hunters are allowed. They need to stay with you, follow the same rules and take part in all the safety briefs and sign a waiver.

[duffy4]

I was under the imperession that non-hunters had to stay in the vehicle and could not accompany the licenced hunter into the field.

The Military has their set of rules (which seam to change from time to time) and then F&W has its regular hunting regulations.

I used to take my kids on various hunts when they were young. We had great fun and now both my daughter and my son hunt with me. Wainwright was never one I took kids on. It is three days that are fun hunting but I always hunt the primative weapons season and there are not that many opportunities at a good buck that I would chance a youngster affecting the outcome.

[shedcrazy]

I was a tag along non-hunter as a kid and it was allowed back then and still is...The main issue is they can not take in an activity that is considered hunting like pushing bush. Most hunters and non-hunters get around this rule by saying they are hunting something else (coyotes, rabbits, etc), wildlife watching, filming, etc.
For the base hunt they can be beside you either in the truck or on foot.

I think the main rules have always been the same with some minor changes each year. It seems what people think of military changing the rules from hunt to hunt or day to day is based a lot of time on guys trying to get around rules or breaking them. The majority of rules are for safety (soldiers or hunters) and one accident would probably close down the hunt.

I find the base hunt just an extra bonus and a great time to take out the kids or spouse.

[dj240]

I have entered a draw for Camp Wainwright and was wondering if anybody has any info about hunting there, like where I could find maps or arial photos, or just sugestions. Thankyou

[Young Eldon]

Osama Bin Laden likely has all these details, you may want to Google him?

[bowfin]

if its your first time in the draw you should have a yr or 2 to find out all the info you need that how long it takes to get drawn wait till nov all kinds of info on the board about it then i should get to go this yr sitting at priorty 2 very fun hunt to end of the yr

[Greg_100]

You will enjoy Camp Wainwright!

They give you maps of the area, very detailed!

They will post areas out of bounds, most to the time the maps will be marked, but sometimes they change, so you will be told the area number on the map.

They have maps of the harvest from the last hunt year so that will give you idea of good spots, but the whole area is heavy with game.

The roads and trails are marked well, you are allowed a non hunter to go with you, so having this person do the map reading for you, it helps.

Take a look on Google Earth, will give you a good idea of the area.

The only things that the military are concerned at the gate, license, ownership and insurance. On the roads must run with headlights on! and stay with in your assigned areas.

Before you can hunt you must attend a briefing, be early as if you miss the first one, then 400 hunters will have an hour head start on you.

Mainly again stay in your areas, don't pick up anything, and headlights on

You are on federal land so provincial regs don't apply, but if you miss behave range patrol will escort you off base.

One year, a armour captain gave a very long briefing, at the end of it he asked if there was any questions, an old hunter in a somewhat impatient voice asked "what time is first hunting light" which was answered without blinking an eye "just as soon as you see your front sight". (federal land)

( while, your ten year old son is picking up sheds in a field, don't yell, waving the map over your head "that he is in a middle of a mine field", both of us thought it was real funny, but when we got home, mom didn't see it as funny!)

Have fun!

Greg

PS
Haven't been up in a couple of years, so if I'm outdated, someone can jump in.

[theduke]

i dunno i didnt like it much, it seem like a free for all i was up there last season and everytime somebody saw a deer you heard like 10 shots in a matter of 30 secs, but thats just my opinion

[dj240]

Do they check your vehicle and firearms?

[bucknaked333]

I was the same way you where dj, didn't have a clue where to go. I got there early the first day and went through the maps they gave me and started there. After the first day I was thinking this is a waste of time then on the second day I shot a dandy. The deer are very spooky even on the first week but just keep hunting people are pushing deer every where, and you never know what can show up.

[duffy4]

Greg 100
It may be a federal Military bace but I believe Alberta hunting regulations apply. They do post the legal sunrise and sunset times each day. And provincial Fish & Wildlife officers do sometimes patrol.

I have hunted Wainwright in the primative weapons season many times. It is one of my favorite hunts.

Robin in Rocky

[Hilgy]

So is it really a gong show guys. Is there areas where you can get out and hike, put on some miles to get away from the crowds???

I have always wanted to hunt Wainwright when I lived in BC and now I get the chance and hear it might not be all that great.


Maybe I'll just 999 again this year and do a little more research.


Hilgy

[gramps73]

First year putting in, what priority before you could get a tag?

G

[wayne]

I used to apply for the first three day rifle season and it always took 3 years to get drawn. Haven't applied lately so it may take longer.

[Trav]

Originally Posted by Hilgy

So is it really a gong show guys. Is there areas where you can get out and hike, put on some miles to get away from the crowds???

I have always wanted to hunt Wainwright when I lived in BC and now I get the chance and hear it might not be all that great.


Maybe I'll just 999 again this year and do a little more research.


Hilgy

the last time I was there we were not allowed to take the vehicles off the road unless to retrieve animals. My buddy and I hardly seen anyone the one day we were off the road a long ways. It is fun and we had a blast just getting out and pounding the hills

Should be drawn this year it is our 4th year putting in used to be every 2 years but lately seems like every 3 or 4th year

[captain]

hey guys,whos got the low down on camp wainwright?Its my first time going there,we have a cow moose draw.Can someone give the do,s and dont,s.Any info would be helpfull.

The most important thing is to obey all of the rules and restrictions for the camp.The military have zero tolerance for rule breakers and will not hesitate to escort you to the gate for the smallest violation.The Camp Wainwright moose hunt has to be the easiest moose hunt in Alberta.I have seen many moose on every visit to the camp,and I filled my own moose tag with a 54" bull on the second day after turning down several bulls.I saw moose along the river,across the highway in the annex,and in several other locations.Most of the hunters in camp will be deer hunters,and most will gladly tell you where they spot any moose in the camp.We even had a deer hunter and his son volunteer to help us to load two large bull moose that my partner and I had just skinned and quartered only 50' apart.We did have one tense moment when we spent a few minutes convincing a young deer hunter whose car was blocking the road in front of us that the "mule deer" that he was going to shoot was actually a calf moose.He kept pointing the gun at the calf and repeating that it had big ears,so it had to be a mule deer.We finally had to threaten to report him to fish&wildlife if he shot it,in order to get him to get into his car and drive away.
Good luck,and have fun.

[duffy4]

Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 Grouse season in Camp Wainwright.

I always recomend that hunters who have never hunted in the camp should go grouse hunting in this season. And don't worry about shooting any grouse. SCOUT the area and become familiar with the camp and the routes and the habitat.

When you go back for your moose hunt you will have an idea where you might want to be on opening morning. And always have a plan B,C,D,E as the areas open to hunting vary. So do not figure you have a great looking area and that is where you will hunt. It may not be open while you are there.

I will be there for the primative weapons deer season this year. If I see a cow moose I will tie it to a tree for you.

Robin in Rocky

[Rackmastr]

A cow moose will be easy to find......the base is FULL of moose....

Sure if you get time to go for grouse it would be really cool to scout and check things out....but if ya dont....hit the base and head to the west side and do some glassin.....its usually easy to find a cow pretty quick.....

[roger]

Originally Posted by duffy4

Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 Grouse season in Camp Wainwright.

I always recomend that hunters who have never hunted in the camp should go grouse hunting in this season. And don't worry about shooting any grouse. SCOUT the area and become familiar with the camp and the routes and the habitat.

Robin in Rocky

this is best advise ever written
maybe even a gps, would be nice to keep the proverbial ducks in a row, a missed turn off or wrong road can put you miles away from your intended area. not to mention coming in a after dark, overcast or in a snowstorm. all roads are bendy and no two roads look the same and that west side is HUGE..the east side is bushy
dont worry about being there bright and early on day one you got the whole season..its a madhouse...a slow driving, trigger happy convoy of happy hunters when they open the floodgates

[gramps73]

A little late or early for next year, what are the chances of getting drawn with a 4
g

[MKD]

http://www.mywildalberta.com/Home/Hu...aryReport.aspx
Read it here for yourself.
For COW moose. Your are likely in. For BULLS not a hope.

[MKD]

As some other posts say:
DO's:
1. learn how to read a topo map properly. If you make a mistake your hunt can be over.
2. You can show up in the early bird season. A signifcant effort to search out a trophy cow. It's a great idea for getting to know the camp and the topo map though.
3. There were 18 Cow tags last year and to my knowledge everyone who hunted got their tag filled. There were 30 Bull tags last year and i know they were filled. So, the camp may not be quite so full of moose this year.
3. Deer Hunters will help you out. There is no doubt about it.
4. I'll see you there. I will be hunting Bull Elk, and Bull Moose. I will definately tell you if I see a cow.
5. Last year we saw more moose then we did Whitetails!

[MKD]

I have been a non hunter and been allowed on the base. I have also taken them along.
Sign the waiver, do the briefing. DON'T BE HUNTING! (Wildlife Act will let you know that that is)

[MKD]

Although it is a Federal property Provincial Regulations do apply in Wainwright. Hence the requirement for a hunting License, etc.!

There were 18 Cow tags last year and to my knowledge everyone who hunted got their tag filled. There were 30 Bull tags last year and i know they were filled. So, the camp may not be quite so full of moose this year.

The success rate for moose in Camp Wainwright has been 90%+ for many years.

[Rob Miskosky]

FYI. We had three threads going about Camp Wainwright. I merged all three into this one. Hope it isn't too confusing.

Rob

[duffy4]

Had me a little confused Rob. But it makes sence. Good idea.

Robin in Rocky and looking forward to Wainwright primative season


Here is something interesting from the "Guide To The Regulations" number 3 under the Partner licence section on page 22 of 2008 copy.

"3. Resident hunters successful in drawing a Special Licence in any of the other Draws may designate one eligible resident youth (12 to 17 years of age) to be a partner on their Special Licence."

So it would seem that you could get a partner licence for a youth and they could actually "hunt" with you and kill a deer or two or three if they up the tags like they did last year.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by duffy4

Had me a little confused Rob. But it makes sence. Good idea.

Robin in Rocky and looking forward to Wainwright primative season


Here is something interesting from the "Guide To The Regulations" number 3 under the Partner licence section on page 22 of 2008 copy.

"3. Resident hunters successful in drawing a Special Licence in any of the other Draws may designate one eligible resident youth (12 to 17 years of age) to be a partner on their Special Licence."

So it would seem that you could get a partner licence for a youth and they could actually "hunt" with you and kill a deer or two or three if they up the tags like they did last year.

What a FANTASTIC IDEA!!!
Good one Duffy.

Jamie