Oh Canada 2022 with a little West Texas mixed in

[GARY]

Having lived and hunted as resident 6 years across two assignments and 2 years under the hunter host program (non Canadian can be hunter hosted every 3 years and hunt as resident (no draws), I am returning this fall.

September 16-25 - Chase elk with archery equipment in the southern Porcupine Hills. These are my old stomping grounds where I took 2 elk and 2 good mule deer (3 archery, 1 rifle) with my bow

October 13-17 - Bucket list trip and first outfitter hunt. My Canadian buddy Alexander contacted me that all his international hunts overseas (he is huge gamesmen who chases animals across the globe, writing for Sheep magazines , etc.. have all cratered on him for an assortment of reasons. He and his buddy Carl have decided to chase a backup Aoudad in West Texas with an outfitter they had been put in contact with. He called to see if he could borrow one of the two guns he had rigged me out with (270 or 300WM). I said sure, 1) as long as he would return favor for me in November (more to come) 2) consider adding a 3rd, as it's always been a bucket list animal for me to have mounted.

November (dates TBD) - I return to Canada, this time chasing Northern Alberta Whitetails in Athabasca. This is area, we hunted for a number of years. A number of freezes, combined with increasing whitetails sightings south, my group quit the area. Kevin returned last year and said the hunting has really improved an he would return again this fall. Here I shot my 7X6 160 buck that easily tipped the scales over 300lbs.

I am super pumped actually returning to hunting (I am normally guide for Kendra in Texas) myself, reconnecting for hunts with old friends and putting some miles on my boots again. Hardcore training has resumed!!


Hunts from the past. 2010 - 2018 Recap with links here

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...d.php?t=707192

[Shane]

Dang it!! That's a cool schedule for the fall! Can't wait to live vicariously through your posts (you WILL post lots of stories and pics, right?)!

[trophy8]

Sweet Jesus man. Dream lineup. Do tell about the Aoudad!

[GARY]

Dirt work weekend at barndo as cutting boat barn and carport pads to have limestone dumped. Between that and heat, me and the bride started sling arrows. I love the adjustable site pin (black gold) that allows me to use top pin. Never realized how much better shot I was when not getting lost in pins. Killing patterns sold to 50 and pretty strong out to 70. Kendra getting strong out to 40 now.

While we were out , Kevin was fighting skeeters and horse flies scouting elk in southern Alberta.


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[talltexasshoote]

Which West Texas are you hunting in? Both areas that call themselves West Texas have aoudads.

[GARY]

Originally Posted by talltexasshoote

Which West Texas are you hunting in? Both areas that call themselves West Texas have aoudads.

Fort Davis area.

[talltexasshoote]

Originally Posted by GARY

Fort Davis area.

I hear there are big ones there. I was hoping you were coming to the panhandle I was going to offer to buy you a burger and a beer.

[Heath]

When I grow up, I want to be Gary.

[simek]

Well done, amigo. Looking forward to the recaps!

[Mex. Bowhunter]

Living the Dream Buddy. Safe Travels and Enjoy Every Step of It

[Saltyag15]

Can't wait to follow along! What an exciting fall.

[lmartin5]

Sounds like great fun…keep us updated.


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[Texas Grown]

Looking forward to the updates, G!

[Hombre]

Do non residents have to download the Canadian app so they can tell where you are at all times? My resident buds in Canada had to during covid so just wondering if non res also required. Not trying to be a smart a** but I am also wanting to go back after a 6 year absence and downloading a Canadian app does not appeal to me.

[Burnadell]

Ya gonna do a live hunt? Take us along, boss!

[GARY]

Hunt has begin for Kevin as he is on bucket list trip to the Northwest Territories chasing a Dall Sheep.

https://www.ganariver.com/

Today is Day 3.

Day 1 - Incredible First Day! 21 sheep (9 rams), 10 caribou, 1 moose and 1 grizzly. Camping on top of mountain right now, it's absolutely beautify here

Day 2 - Tent day. It's pouring, sleeting , snowing and windy. Still saw the rams, but not much to do but wait. Tomorrows forecast is looking good.

[GARY]

Kevin just returned to civilization and sent us his success!


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[buck_wild]

Living the dream.

[GARY]

Kevin started off Alberta’s season today and took this nice southern Alberta buck. His first velvet buck.


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[GARY]

One more sleep and this little cowboy and his gear will be in Alberta
New bow case as old one broke on
Sunday !




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[Uncle_Milty]

Enjoy the trip and good luck!

[Texas Grown]

Looking forward to the reports.

The fish are biting and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

[dope hunter]

Good Luck!

[GARY]

Through security and getting my daily vegetables


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[zztex]

Good luck Gary!

[Chad_E]

Good luck! I look forward to following along.

[GARY]

Made it to Okotoks and completed a shirt swap. Sure wish I had remembered to grab him some TBH swag. Will have to grab it before my November return.


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[GARY]

Good day 1 as just seen off mountain and with service.

4 bulls , lots mule deer and one black bear. I never got inside 250 Yards today , but Ryan and Chris called a nice 5x5 inside 15 yards but brush prevented shot.


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[Les]

That sure is some beautiful country..

[slayr]

Can’t wait as the rest got his adventure unfolds. Best of luck.

[Casey]

Wishing you success, Gary. Bring it home.

[ByronB]

Get after it Gary!!!! I think a new bow case is in order for me as well. Have fun!!

[Texas Grown]

15 yards is mighty close!

[GARY]

Day two was painfully slow. So much we moved to pork mule tag zone and Kevin’s brother Greg Stalked a 170 class mule deer all day as I napped and glassed from Hutterites wheat field when I want visiting with one of the Hutterite ranch managers. I saw 6 mule deer , 3 elk and witnessed a grizzly stalking calves and cows (unsuccessfully).

Today was filled with cold rain and sleet and 20-40 mile winds. We stayed in field from daylight until 6:30 PM and was actually covered up with elk all day. 3 legal bulls , spike and 9 cows. Bedded 5x6 and cows down and stalked to 80 yards before cow busted us. I was at full draw , but he didn’t offer ethical shot me.

Later and 1 Mile climb later we found them bedded again and cow called them inside 70 yards 3 times. First time I had him broadside 59 yards but brush blocked his vitals. Second time had shot in pouring rain at 65 and missed left off his left brisket. Not sure what happened. 3rd attempt I called him in for Greg at 57 yards but it was straight on and Greg didn’t take shot.

Everything I wore is wet.








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[Burnadell]

Pullin' for you!

[ByronB]

Glad you guys have had some opportunities.

[GARY]

Yesterday was slow as only saw 2 elk up until 6:30. Found herd feeding in area we had no access too the bordered same owners land we did have access too (all but three valleys around house can be hunted as he saves that for his two sons and himself (one son actually hunted with us Saturday. )

We hiked in hard 1 hour to see if we could pull them our way in last 45 minutes of legal light. Found them and 3 legal bulls. We were able to call a satellite (not herd bull) our way and had him inside 80 yards before he circled us and caught our scent

Maybe best shape of my life and still struggling to keep up with Kevin. He was already better hiker and now lost 20 lbs training for year for northwest territory Dall sheep hunt. The 3 bulls were bugling like crazy !

Yesterday we had hour power hike uphill. His brother and I had 200 yard head start. He passed us 30’min in and ended up 1000 yards ahead , never stopping while we stopped 6 times to catch breath. Finding altitude and oxygen cannot easily be trained for on texas Gulf coast. .

Back on them this morning in hiking in before sunlight. Found them less than 800 yards from last night. They responded , but did come into range.

Hiked out as Kevin’s daughter 21st bday today and we drive to Lethbridge where she goes to university. Also picked up Kevin’s dall sheep.


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[GARY]

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[Texas Grown]

Heck of a time! And nice ram too! Here's to seal-n the deal tomorrow.

[Burnadell]

Always tomorrow, except on the last day!

Nice curl on his ram.

[GARY]

Four bulls and Ton cows again this evening ,but nothing responding to calls.

Tired us an understatement after making to trips in and out and 5 early walk ups to this point. 3 more days left. Hoping tomorrows cloud and rain turns them on all day.


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[Strummer]

Time to stop slacking off and kill something. I need some elk meat .

[Burnadell]

Come on, boss! Show us some LDPs.

[GARY]

Another great day filled with elk , but no shot opportunities. 3 bulls this morning and one inside 200 yards. This evening another run in with 2 herds and 3 bulls. Called one inside 70 yards but Greg didn’t feel comfortable taking shot.








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[GARY]

Got into 3 bulls last night. Went back to same spot, hiking in hour in dark -!and while the first bull wasn't where we left him , we saw the second herd which had a big herd bull that would be shoulder mount. 2 hours straight up and 3 miles later we were above them with good wind. With them bedded for day we contemplated stalking them , or eating lunch and taking nap. With so many cows in herd we too lunch and nap option.

4 pm we made our move and cut them off headed into ranchers cut alfalfa field (where we saw them enter prior night ). Wind was perfect pumping 20 mph from southwest. Spread out and set up the bull is screaming above is now less than 80 yards above us in trees , rounding up cows into the field.

100% sure it was going down for one of us three. No sooner did I think this then wind swirled over my neck for 10-20 seconds and one minute later I hear the bull now 150 yards and moving west.

At this point we were committed and followed them away from truck another mile before time and energy ended our day.

1.5 hours (mostly downhill ) and back to truck.

One more day and hopefully a few more years in these knees and back, as this is hard **** for an aging flat lander !



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[Chew]

Better luck today! Keep hammering

Team Little Debbie Pro Staff

[Burnadell]

That is NOT the kind of LDP I was expecting!

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by burnadell

that is not the kind of ldp i was expecting!

[GARY]

Those were mule deer and while trophies ; we don’t have tags for this area. Yesterdays hunt was more of same. Found a bull and bedded him (wind prevented any stalk ). Got within 200 yards at magic hour and started calling. He took his cow and moved away from us into the forestry and just like that 8 days of hard hunting was over.

Kevin went back in alone this morning and snuck into a heard and he bull at 52 yards at full draw and the bull stopped behind bush and then turned me walked away , keeping brush between him until he was at 100 yards.

Lots miles and action this year, just couldn’t get them to respond to calls like years in the past.

Sitting at airport and booking my flight to return Nov 14 the chase rutting whitetails in Athabasca (Boreialis Forestry) for 4 days.


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[lmartin5]

Thanks for taking us along…enjoyed it!

Safe travels home.


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