2020 Canadian hunting forecast: Top spots for deer, moose, elk, bear and more

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Saskatchewan is offering more mule deer hunts this year

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan hunters were blessed with another relatively mild winter—by prairie standards—and substantial winter carryover of basically all game animals. Simply, the province’s coming hunting season looks excellent.

BLACK BEARS

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With bear populations considered stable in the most popular hunting areas across the province, hunters can expect very good harvest opportunities. This year, a second black bear licence is available to Saskatchewan residents in wildlife management zones (WMZs) 17, 30, 32 to 50 and 52 to 55.

ELK

The prospects for elk hunting in Saskatchewan look great. In the Parkland WMZs, elk numbers have increased and so have hunting opportunities. Hunters drawn for cow or trophy bull elk in the Prairie WMZs have an excellent chance of success, as well. The outlook for regular, over-the-counter hunts in Forest and Forest Fringe WMZs also looks good, thanks in part to the recent mild winters.

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MOOSE

Moose populations vary across the major habitat types, with the hunting prospects following suit. In the farmland WMZs, moose populations are stable, and hunter success is high; that should continue this fall. In northern WMZs 70 to 76, moose populations also appear to be stable, and no changes have been made to the seasons. In southern Boreal Forest WMZs, however, moose numbers are down and hunters will see fewer opportunities and shorter seasons to promote the recovery of those populations.

MULE DEER

Thanks to the recent mild winters, mule deer numbers have grown throughout much of the province, and hunters will see additional opportunities for either-sex and antlerless hunts this fall. Archery mule deer opportunities have also increased with the inclusion of 15 more WMZs for resident hunters.

PRONGHORNS

Southwestern portions of Saskatchewan have experienced several consecutive winters considered mild to very mild, and pronghorn populations have responded with strong growth. There may be additional opportunities this fall in all eight Pronghorn Management Units for Saskatchewan resident hunters, depending on the mid-summer surveys.

WHITETAILS

The simple summary for white-tailed deer hunting this fall is that deer populations are up and the hunting chances are excellent. The southwest looks particularly promising.