Moose Hunting in Alberta

[Bowwild]

I've been doing some research about hunting in Alberta. I talked to an Outfitter today (Renee Sempler).

Anyone here with experience in Alberta?  I'm considering this because I can better afford $6,000 than the more expensive $10,000-20,000 hunts further west and north.

[Gordon martiniuk]

Renee Semple southpaw outfitters is top notch ,, He has good guides and has probably the best area for Moose if you can't get it done with him It would be your skill level not his  :D    

[Gun]

Roy PM sent.

[Biathlonman]

Just pick me up on the way.

Seriously if your looking for someone to go with give me a shout!

[Bowwild]

Thanks Gordon.

I talked to Renee at length today on the telephone.  Sounds like a great guy and he shoots recurves.  

I'll look for your PM Gun.  

I had 5 guys in mind, counting me.  It appears two have large taxidermy bills coming due this summer and the other may be hunting in Africa. None of these fellows may be able to afford Alberta in 2013 on top of those expenses.

The convenient thing for me is that I I don't have to have a certain number in the party as I'm not trying to get, or will I receive a discount by lining up multiple hunters.  Right now I have a solid two...my best friend and myself.  It is 1,984 miles (30 hours) to drive.

The hunt with Renee (from my conversation today) is early October. It is 9 days with the middle 7 days actual hunting. Days 1 and 9 are pre and post logistics.  He sure does report seeing LOTS of moose!

I'll have to decide this (33% deposit) in the next month before the outfitter starts going to hunt shows and booking his hunts.

[Terry Lightle]

Roy ,let us all know what happens on your moose hunt plans.Moose have consumed my interest for lots of years.

[Bowwild]

Will do.

Here are other things I've learned today.

Moose license for a U.S. Citizen in Alberta is only $269.  A bowhunting certificate is another $23.  There is also an "Allocation Fee" but I don't know how much that is.  Doesn't matter much because the outfitter fee includes all licenses, including the allocation fee.

[Maxx Black]

Roy ! PM sent. Maxx

[Bowwild]

Wow guys!  I've seen many threads where folks have asked questions about hunt travel plans and advice.  I've never done it myself though until now.  I'm getting some terrific insight from this thread and some PMs!

I don't know where this is going to lead but the help here is making the haystack a bit smaller as I look for the needle!

[eagleone]

Keep us posted!  I am in the same boat, I have been  looking into an Alberta moose hunt myself.

[Steve Clandinin]

I travel from Saskatchewan every september to my sons in Alberta.Prices in Alberta for Non-residents I believe are the best deal around.most of my relatives live in BC and the prices are about 3 times.Find yourself a buddy in Alberta to hunter host you and head north,fantastic hunting.
I just sent you some info and pics,Enjoy !LOL

[stykbow67]

 I'll be watching this one for sure!  A moose hunt is definitely in my future plans, please keep us posted!!

Thanks,Steve

[Bowwild]

Lots more information since last night -- thanks Steve, Gun, Ken and others!

Looks like I might have seen the wrong website for pricing on the license.  So the $269 I wrote above might be $525 but maybe that includes allocation fees, etc.  No matter, the license fees are inconsequential in the over all funding as is the usual case.

I'm leaning ever more closely to the Semple operation.  I've found cheaper and I've found more expensive but bigger animals.  I did just learn of the "Hunter Host" concept and I do know some folks in Alberta. One is my brother in Edmonton but he isn't a hunter so I doubt that will work out.  Oh, he'd love to go on a  hunt for the adventure but he'd have no idea on any of the where to.  

I'm also learning that some very nice moose racks I've seen over the years aren't anywhere near 55" +.  This is good news because most of the outfitters talk about 30-45" bulls being the norm. I was thinking those would be too small, but I was wrong.  I know you can't eat the rack but I've not been saving a place on my wall for a tasty cow.

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

I'm booked with AWGS for a ten day hunt next fall.  Hope it goes well!

[knobby]

I hunted with AWGS a number of years ago, and thought it to be a great hunt. Dave is a recurve shooter, himself. I believe Littlebigman has hunted there a number of times.Good people, too.

[Greyfox54]

Bow wild what area of Alberta does he hunt ? I had good success in the Birch Mountains about 85 miles northwest of Ft. McMurray . Unlike Alaskan Moose Canadien Mooose have narrower racks but much deeper shovels . Best of luck on a super hunt , Fred

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

do a search for my moose trip trips in 2007 and 2011 both time with awgs

[Iron Man2]

I 2nd what Greyfox posted...what I can add is the following: I hunted the the NW section of AB also, however, I was roughly 20-40 miles west of Edmonton for whitetails and elk. I did not hunt for moose, however, we did call them in fairly easily. This was several years ago and during mid sept to the first week of nov. We got more responses late oct to nov in that area. Another thing to research from "reliable sources" not an outfitter trying to book and fill their allocations are success rates, number of older bulls and wolf activities/numbers. The wolves can have a big affect on the herd from year to another.

I hope this adds to your research.  My 2 centavos.

JL  

[Bowwild]

1.5 hours west and a bit north of Edmonton.  It is archery-only well into October. Firearms season doesn't start until Nov. 1 in the unit. Mixed farmlands.

Looks like two of us will lock in.

[202turkey]

Roy, One of my dream hunts. I would try to hang with you guys if I could afford it. Sounds like a good time.  Joe.