Chasing Deer Across The Continent

By Steve Blakeman

It happened so fast.

I had barely sat down in my stand and hung my bow when I saw him coming, ducking under the thick willow, and coming quick! I decided not to move, just wait for the right opportunity to grab my bow and get into position. It proved to be the right choice.

The terrific 10 pointer entered the field and couldn’t resist the urge to grab a bite of the sweet red clover on his way to “who knows where.” Taking advantage of the opportunity, I brought the bow to ready and gave him a quick mental score. At just over 10 yards and slightly quartered away, he had no idea I was lurking just above him, the determination of his destiny in my hand. Knowing what I needed to do, I relaxed my grip, and watched him graze out of site a few minutes later.

Crazy? Yeah, probably. But I knew that his rack would only gross close to the Pope & Young minimum of 125 inches, and I was here in the beautiful, big buck mecca of Alberta, Canada for the season opener looking for his Grandaddy!

Traveling in the pursuit of whitetails is one of my passions. Don’t get me wrong -- I LOVE to hunt them here in northeast Ohio, but there is just something about the lure of the new place -- seeing new country, meeting new people, and most of all, the adventure of the unknown. And if I did my homework right, just maybe a crack at a true “wall hanger” can be mine. If you are a whitetail fanatic like me, you likely dream of that next trip yourself, whether it’s your first one or your hundredth. If you’re short on time and only have a week or so, guided or outfitted hunts are a great way to go. Here are a few things I’ve learned and you should consider too when the dream begins to become reality.

Where do I start looking?

First begin by narrowing down what area of the continent seems the most interesting to you. Each area of North America which holds whitetail deer in huntable numbers is uniquely different, and has quite different subspecies of the whitetail deer. If a particular area seems most appealing start there. Most of us easterners want to experience the west, but there are many different types of terrain to consider. Within the same state you can find mountains, prairie, forest and river bottoms. Some have lodge hunts, some tent camps, and some you have to pack in on horses. Match the area you want to look into with your physical ability. There is nothing worse than anticipating a hunt for a year, then find out once you get there that it wasn’t what you thought, or that you weren’t physically conditioned for the terrain or altitude. Look in the back of hunting magazines, go to trade shows and ask around. The process of deciding and planning is part of the fun!

Regardless of how much you spend, there are no guarantees.

Hunting is just that -- hunting. No matter where you go, that doesn’t change. Even the best laid plans can go awry. You know Murphy’s Law? Well, it’s still around, and if it can go wrong, it usually will to some degree. Your ability to roll with the punches, and adapt, are crucial to an enjoyable hunt. Just like any other vacation, very few hunts pan out exactly the way you had planned. I’ve been on many hunts where weather has fouled up the whole week. If your measure of a successful hunt is to kill an animal, then think twice before you go. Most times I come home empty, but still having a terrific hunt. Learn to enjoy the experience, and you’ll never be disappointed when you go home without horns.

Not all guides and outfitters are equal

Here is where you have to spend the most time and be the most careful. Many of the outfitters with the fanciest ads and best photos are not necessarily the best. If you are looking for a bow hunt, ask the outfitter if he is a bow hunter himself. The same holds true for any other type of hunt. If the outfitter doesn’t hunt this method, then beware. Ask about the experience of the guides, and how long they have worked with him. Discuss the quantity of game as well as average trophy quality. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask a lot of questions. If the person on the other end of the phone sounds annoyed, then run the other direction -- fast. My personal policy is to hunt with operations that live year round in the general area we will be hunting. An intimate knowledge of the game and the terrain are critical to an enjoyable hunt.

References

Here is one area you can really get a lot of information. Ask the outfitter for references for the past three years of all hunters who have been there, both successful or not. Then contact them all. The few cents spent on the calls will be well worth it. Make sure and ask the hunters what they really liked, and what they were most disappointed with. You’ll be amazed how honest the references will be, and it will truly help you make the right decisions. Make sure and ask if they would go back, and why. If the outfitter won’t give you a complete list, then look somewhere else. I always ask the guys I am talking to where else they’ve hunted, and which has been their favorite places -- A wealth of information.

How much does it cost?

That’s a loaded question. You can spend a few hundred bucks to many thousands. If you’re like me you can’t (or your wife won’t let you) spend big bucks. There is really no need to. For less money you can apply for a tag or buy one over the counter, and then find a local rancher to give you access. Many are quite helpful and will let you hunt for free or charge a small trespass fee. Contact the local wildlife officer in the area, and get some suggestions. That type of hunt can be had for the cost of the license and tag, a drive to the area with a cooler of food, and a place to pitch a tent. On the other hand, a fully outfitted hunt on average can cost from $1,500 to $3,500 or more plus tags and transportation, depending on many variables. Generally speaking, the lower priced hunts will provide a good experience, with a chance at an average or representative animal. But the hunts with better trophy potential usually equate to higher prices. Of course, there are exceptions to every scenario. If you’re spending more than that to go, you’re after a trophy of a lifetime or you’re a few arrows shy of a quiver. I have a hunt for some big Eastern Ohio Cape Buffalo I’ll give you a deal on.

Don’t give up until the

last minute on the last day

Once you’ve made up your mind and you’re finally there, don’t get discouraged too quickly. Like I said earlier, it’s hunting. I was on a bow hunt in Missouri once where the weather was awful, and most of the guys found excuses to be back in camp in front of the fire. I paid for the hunt, I wanted to hunt, and I hunted hard all day every day for six days. I only saw two deer. Then in one magical moment on the last day that most of us have experienced at one time or another, it all came together. Within a few seconds I had arrowed a terrific nine point and a potential P&Y buck, and I was feeling pretty good! When you feel like giving up, don’t give in. Stay in that stand!

So that about wraps it up. The buck I let go at the beginning of this article? He’s still roaming the forests and fields of the famous Calgary bow zone, along with every other buck I saw that week. I came home empty and was not disappointed. I saw multiple deer every day and even stalked a gorgeous 200 class mulie buck, and got within 37 yards before his three buddies saw me before I saw them. What an experience! That week I had elk, both species of deer, and moose in range and never fired an arrow. Regrets? Not a chance. I’d do it again tomorrow. That’s why we call it hunting!

Plan, do your homework, use your head, practice, save up some money and have the time of your life!