I'm from PA. I had been hunting in NJ for a few years but the last few I've been heading down to MD to hunt.
depends on how much free time and $ I have for traveling next fall.... I have 2 great DIY opportunities out of state for whitetails but will most likely be able to do just one.
Jeff and I will be hunting near Petersburg with dear friend Cavan Sullivan. Cavan owns and operates Timber Vally Fresh Deer Scents (http://www.tvfreshscent.com/).
AWESOME!!! Cavan is one of my good buddies! I can't believe you guys know him! I hunt on the edge of Oakford, which is only about a 15 mile drive from the site of Timber Valley Fresh Scent, and their home. I was actually just helping them out at their booth at the IL Deer and Turkey Classic a couple weekends ago. We'll definitely have to try and meet up then. I'm hoping you guys will be here over a weekend, as I'll be in school during the week. During the season I usually come back every weekend to hunt.
Huck, you're sooo right! Most folks don't have a clue about this. The extent of my "Guide's" (both of them) involvement while hunting (four times) in the Bow Zone was getting dropped off before first light, and getting picked up after dark. They didn't have anything to do with me sitting for 10-11 straight hours in 5F-20F temps for 6 days in a row! Yes, being "hosted" is THE only way to hunt Canada without a guide. Except, I think there are small parts of Ontario (I think it is) that can be hunted without one? I'm going to see if I can get up there again in 2011.
Brandon, Someday I'll tell you about Cavan's first elk hunt...I nearly wet my pants laughing. He had me in stitches when we traveled to England together! Has he told you about the time he killed his prom date's dog? He's a good lad and definitely a dear friend. Anyway, I would love to meet you in person. And yes, we will be there over a weekend-sometime around the 6th of November.
Dan I hunted Albertas bowzone in the same fashion as Will, on the hunter's host program with a friend from Edmonton. The host program is something the Alberta guides dont want u to know about! Will, the last time I did it I had to wait 3 years to return on a "non resident alien" status with the Host prorgam.. is it still the same? I haven't looked that the regs lately.
I am most likely going out of state from Michigan for the first time this coming season. States that I will be hopefully be hitting include: New york, Illinois, and either Iowa or Kansas, with maybe a trip to Ohio and Indiana too. I know it sounds like a lot, but I have big plans. My goal is to take 2 mature bucks from my home state and another 2 elsewhere. Only hard work, dedication and the right timing will tell.
I thought I'd have to wait until 2011 to afford another Alberta trip. BUT, I just booked a 6 day hunt in the Bow Zone for the last week of Nov 2010. Because it's only $2500! I really lucked out here. Other than being hosted ( no money exchanged ), you won't hunt up there any cheaper. Needless to say, I'm pumped! :D
Congrats Jeff! That is a heck of a deal. I know many Mulie Hunts I've checked into in Alberta run 4 to 5 grand. More than I am willing to spend on a hunt for sure. I've been spoiled in the deals I've got the last few years. Last years Mulie hunt cost me less than $1000 including tags, eats, gas, and motels. I won't get one of those again! I've been buying preference points in IA, and I hope to go after some bigger Mulies in Eastern CO in the next couple of years. We'll see what the economy does Dan
I agree! My only Alberta hunt was a Bear hunt quite a bit north of Fort McMurray and it netted me a 450# 20 13/16" Black Bear that aged 28.5 years old. There really did Not seem to be big numbers of bears at the baits, but the ones that were there were Big Bears!! They could have been keeping the smaller bears run off! Dan
I travel from Ohio to Pa every-year. Can't say it's for the great caliber of trophy bucks. But it's something I look forward to more every year!
