Secrets of success
6 winning ways to help fill six big-game tags in just one year (or to at least have fun trying)
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Hunters are eternal optimists. They’re always confident a 10-point buck will walk under their treestand, an elk will bugle back through the timber or a big ol’ ram will finally make an appearance.
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I am no exception, and every year I feel like it’s going to be my best season yet. I’m usually wrong, but the stars aligned last year and I ended up filling all six of my big-game tags in my home province of Alberta. Here are six tips that made it all happen—and hopefully they can do the same for you…
Staying fit helped the author catch up to this black bear#1 STAY FIT
In late May last year, I was hunting black bears in southwestern Alberta when I spotted a bruin across a river bottom and up the other side of the valley I was in. With just two hours of legal light remaining, I wasn’t sure I could get there in time, but I had to try. By the time I descended the 700 feet to the valley bottom and started scrambling up the other side, I was sweating bullets and my legs felt like they were filled with lead. Being in good shape, I persisted and managed get to within 80 yards of the bear just as the sun was setting. I took a moment to catch my breath and calm my nerves before squeezing the trigger.
Staying fit allows you to hunt in such tough to reach places, capitalize on opportunities and generally enjoying hunting more (because, let’s face it, sore muscles suck). And you don’t need to be able to bench-press a fridge or know that HIIT stands for “high-intensity interval training.” A simple exercise routine of jogging, climbing stairs or lifting weights can make all the difference.
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Having the proper apparel and shelter was key to the author’s ram hunt#2 GEAR UP
In early September last year, a buddy and I were 50 kilometres deep in the Rocky Mountains, hiking up steep slopes and glassing for sheep. Many days were cold, wet and windy. One morning, I even woke up to find my tent sagging under the weight of a wet snowfall. Despite the conditions, I remained warm, dry and comfortable for 14 straight days in the backcountry. On day 10, we spotted a band of rams and I ended up packing out a beautiful eight-year-old bighorn.
Had my apparel and tent not been up to handling the nasty weather, I certainly would have been forced to leave the mountains before I had a chance at that ram. Always test your gear and familiarize yourself with its capabilities during the off-season. That way, there won’t be any surprises that lead to miss opportunities once your hunt is underway. And don’t overlook your food supply—there’s nothing worse than realizing midway through a hunt that those protein bars you got on sale taste like sawdust.
Planning his hunt during the peak elk activity helped the author tag out#3 PLAN PROPERLY
In mid-September last year, I booked off five days for a solo elk bowhunt. The timing was perfect, as the rut was in full swing. Just two hours into my first day, in fact, a bull came screaming in, stopping about 25 yards away from me. I was unable to get an arrow in him, but later that same day another bull also responded to my bugles. After I made a few cow calls and pulled him in close for a shot, the bull turned broadside. He dropped within 100 yards after my arrow passed through him.
Hunting is never easy, but you can give yourself an edge by planning your hunts when the animals are most active, and that almost always means during the rut. Equally important is getting the green light from both your boss and significant other for the trip. Make it easy for them to say yes by asking early (I’m talking months early), getting all those pesky house projects completed and offering to work overtime before or after the hunt.