Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Rut?
How many deer will I see?
What are
your Success Rates?
What is the
Average Size of deer taken by your customers?
What Methods of hunting do you utilize?
What Caliber of Rifle do you recommend?
What is Average Shot Distance?
Is there
anything not included in the Price?
How
does this "Gun Registration" system I have heard so much about
work?
What type of Clothing do you
recommend?
What kind of
Temperatures can I expect?
Where do I
book my Flights to?
How do I Book
a Hunt? What is the required deposit?
When is the rut? In
Alberta, and in fact most of western Canada, our whitetail deer undergo peak
breeding between the 12th and 25th of November. As you are probably aware, a
variety of factors come into play in determining when the majority of deer
breed in any given year. Because our rifle season is open for the month of
November, any of the 4 weeks of the season offer some good hunting
opportunities. Our populations are not like those of say Texas or Pennsylvania,
so do not expect to observe continuous patterns of frenzied activity during any
of the 1 week periods. On an average, all four weeks seem to be comparable as
far as sightings and harvests go. Our tactics may vary slightly however,
depending on the week.
BACK TO FAQS
How many deer will I see? As stated previously, Canadian deer populations are relatively low in
comparison to some areas, however many areas in Alberta are currently
considered very high by local biologists. (ie. 10 deer / sq. mi.). Average rule
of thumb sightings are as follows: 0 - 12 deer per day 0 - 4 bucks per day 10 -
30 deer per week 3 - 12 bucks per week
BACK TO FAQS
What are your success rates?
What is the average size of deer taken by your
customers? We have to start by differentiating between
"actual" success and "opportunity" rates. Actual success takes into account
only the deer that were harvested by our hunters, whereas opportunity rate
would add on up to 1 missed opportunity per hunter to arrive at a higher ratio.
If J.Doe misses a deer early in the hunt and subsequently takes a deer, he is
only counted once in the success ratios. That being said, let me now say that
AWGS utilizes a system of routine scouting, guide knowledge and training,
proper stand placement and of course prime hunting areas in maintaining a
consistently high rate of opportunity and success. 85% + of our customers get
an opportunity at their trophy deer with 55 - 65% actually being taken. Deer
taken are in the 130"- 200" gross B+C category. An "average" size would fall
between 145" - 155". Be wary of outfitters displaying or including bucks
harvested by friends or acquaintances. An interesting note to consider about
our operation is that, in fact our opportunity ratio on these "shootable" bucks
is increasing year to year but our actual harvest rates are decreasing. This is
due to an increasing number of long-term clients having opportunities on good
bucks, but passing on them due to having shot similar deer with us previously,
and are now holding out for one of the "magnums".
BACK TO FAQS
What method of hunting do you utilize?
Our proven system utilizes and breaks down the old adage "the
right place at the right time" into its two parts. The "right place" aspect is
completely our responsibility. Through extensive experience within our areas,
ongoing scouting, and what we would hope is a little talent in predicting
movements, we select the most probable areas and stand sites at any given time.
Then we proceed to convey to our hunters enough information that will entice
him to stay put on stand for the required amount of time - thus transferring
the "right time" responsibility onto the shoulders of you, our hunter. The goal
is to ambush bucks in their natural movements. Archery hunters almost
exclusively utilize tree stands, whereas rifle hunters primarily use ground
stands or tripod stands. While you are on stand your guide is always doing some
ongoing scouting research, searching for better opportunities. Therefore you
are not normally expected to stay at one stand days on end because different
strategies usually arise. As a general statement we usually say that 85 - 90%
of your hunting time is spent on stand, with the remaining 10 - 15% seeing you
setting up rattling situations with your guide. We have had some wonderful
success rattling up trophy bucks, but keep in mind that conditions must be
right and even then it is either hot or cold! You most certainly will never be
hunting from a vehicle. "Pushing Bush" or organized deer drives do not appear
in our acceptable methods manual either.
BACK TO FAQS
What caliber of rifle do you recommend? What
is average shot distance? Most of your standard
calibers are well suited. You would not want to use less firepower than say a
.270 with 130 gr. Bullets, and you would not require anything larger than say a
.300 magnum. It is very hard to state a "typical" shot distance since we set up
a lot on fencelines and cutlines. Often you can actually see farther than you
would want to shoot. An average might fall somewhere around 125 yards though.
In order to maximize your chances, you need to be proficient at both shooting
AND distance judging out to 300 yards. Not to mention trophy judging, but that
is another subject!
BACK TO FAQS
Is there anything not included in the price?
This is a common questionthat should be asked, as many believe Outfitters fail to disclose any hidden
charges. Some may operate this way, however, it is not a tactic of ours.
AWGS tries very hard to eliminate any surprises! Any doubts can be discussed
with us or our references. Not included extras may include: your first
dinner meal when you arrive at the hotel from the airport, license costs,
gratuities, and miscellaneous personal spending. Included costs such as hunt
fees, Guide fees, pre & post hunt accommodations, lodge accommodations &
prepared meals, ground transportation during your hunt, along with 110%
dedicated effort to ensure a pleasurable hunt experience.
BACK TO FAQS
How does the introduced "Gun Registration" system work when I cross the border into Canada? Our Federal Government now requires that you register
your firearms that you will hunt with on this side of the border. It is not
that complicated, although they now charge a registration fee of $25.00cdn.
($22.00usd.) When you book a hunt with us, you will receive in one of your
mailings - a Firearm Registration Form to be filled out (but not signed
yet!) & brought with you for when you arrive via plane or vehicle into
Canada. By having you paper work filled out in advance, you will only have
maybe an extra 20 to 30 minutes added to your arrival time before exiting
Customs. You also do have the option of contacting the Canadian Firearms
Center @ 1-800-731-4000 to either get access to their website & download a
form, or register for a permit - longer than the 6 month we offer for your
hunt.
BACK TO FAQS
What type of clothing do you recommend? We like to make it clear that if you look after your feet, hands and head first, the task of keeping the rest of your body comfortable becomes far easier. There are many types of boots out there especially in the mail catalogues that sell boots rated to -80 or -100. For stand hunting these type of boots are recommended. Some considerations would be your own personal tolerances. Some peoples feet get cold easier than others. Also they are cumbersome for walking distances and should be complimented with some lighter pack boots on your trip. Your hands can be looked after many ways. A common method is light wool gloves that you can shoot with and a well insulated muff around the waist. Chemical handwarmers are very popular! Your head is not totally looked after without a quality balaclava. You should also have a regular stocking cap and a billed hat for looking towards the sun.
For the rest of the body, in a nutshell you want high insulation factor combined with breathability. This can be achieved with numerous "systems" on the market that allow proper layering, insulative loft, and noise suppression. A good combination of modern high tech materials for undergarments such as silk, polypropylene, or polarfleece is a good start. Then a choice of traditional fabric like wool or polarfleece layered appropriately will be the ticket to comfort.
The topic of proper clothing is immense. Too much to go into
detail here. Two companies have surfaced as the leaders in this technology. For
years ourselves and our guides, and subsequently many of our regular hunters
have used and recommended an advanced wool garment system called "OMNITHERM" by
King Of The Mountain. Their dealership structure is one of "direct outfitters"
rather than retail stores. We will be happy to answer questions regarding your
needs up here, and to take orders for you. If you wish to browse through their
products before ordering, visit their site at
www.kingofthemountain.com The other company that makes a
suitable system and is based on polyester fleece layers is "Ravenwear". If you
wish to visit them go to www.ravenwear.ca. In the end it will be your personal
choice!.
BACK TO FAQS
What kind of temperatures can I
expect? Since 1986 we have hunted and guided in
Alberta, we have seen some very cold Novembers, along with some very warm ones.
Useful information huh! A cold season that we would tell everyone to prepare
for would find daytime temperatures between -10 degrees F to +10 degrees F.
Although it can be colder, average is a little warmer than that. You need to
prepare mentally for the worst though - this is Canada!
BACK TO FAQS
Where do I book my Flights to?
You book your flights in to Edmonton International Airport.
Transportation is arranged from that point of your trip until you are dropped
off there at the end of your hunt. Our Alberta Professional Outfitters Society
(APOS) and AWGS highly endorse using a travel agent that has been
able to negotiate special airfares on your behalf and are dedicated to our
hunters needs. It is an extra service we are able to bring you. If you wish,
check airfares with your current agent, but then at least give these dedicated
people a try. We are sure you will be pleasantly surprised! UNIGLOBE GEO
TRAVEL - Toll Free 1 - 877 - 669 - 3270
BACK TO FAQS
How do I book a hunt? What is the required
deposit? Once you have determined that we will be your
Outfitter, booking a hunt with us is as simple as checking with us for
availability, letting us know your intentions and forwarding a deposit. You can
check out the deposit requirements on our Dates and Prices
page under DEPOSIT INFORMATION.
BACK TO FAQS