Canoe hunt for elk.

[Cal]

This year I am planning to canoe hunt for elk. Never hunted elk before so I'm looking for any tips on stretches of river, drift hunting for elk, and elk hunting in general. I was planning to hunt the Athabasca from Ft Assiniboin to highway 2 (zone 350) Does anyone know if this area has decent elk numbers or should I concider a different stretch of river? As well what are some idiot proof calls?

[duffy4]

Originally Posted by Cal

This year I am planning to canoe hunt for elk. Never hunted elk before so I'm looking for any tips on stretches of river, drift hunting for elk, and elk hunting in general. I was planning to hunt the Athabasca from Ft Assiniboin to highway 2 (zone 350) Does anyone know if this area has decent elk numbers or should I concider a different stretch of river? As well what are some idiot proof calls?

Many years ago I floated from Fort Assin. to Smith Alberta. I didn't do any elk calling and saw mule deer, wolves and a lynx.

I knew some guys who floated the Pembina river (Jarvey area to mouth I think) for moose and they saw and heard some elk along the river.

[Ridge View]

Here is an interesting canoe for ELK adventure.....

Little Smokey River



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[TBark]

Great, Don't let my wife read that, Our land / camp is in WMU 360, about 12 miles from where this storie was. And it is a storey ??

TBark

[BigRackLover]

Originally Posted by Ridge View

Here is an interesting canoe for ELK adventure.....

Little Smokey River



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[Cal]

Lol and basset was getting concerned that his thread was getting derailed.

[TBark]

I would suggest one better than Little Smoky to Vallyview.
Debolt to Watino. More water to float and fewer Sasquatch.

TBark

[Cal]

How is the water level in the Little Smokey? Its on my shortlist of rivers to hunt but with the water levels low I was thinking I might have to stick to the bigger rivers.

[TBark]

Smokey is better, Little Sm can be iffy.

TBark

[Elkaholic523]

Ya the little smokey would be extremely low in septtember.Plus theres no elk up here anyway athabasca is way better.

[Ridge View]

Did another search and Not too sure about the Debolt area either.

DeBolt Area

Smokey River flows to the Peace River,...bigger River = bigger Elk perhaps... to hunt or maybe bigger other animals to contend with.

Peace River

You'll have to decide on your own which River to Canoe on.




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[Ridge View]

Not sure if this River has Elk or enough water to float a Canoe,...and if not just as well from the looks of it.....

Saulteaux River

[Cal]

I've hunted ducks on the Saulteaux and while there is a ton of wildlife allong its banks in some areas there is also alot of log jams and not much water. Theres probably as many elk on that river as there are Sasquatch. Trying it in spring for bear is on my list of things to do. Funny you say theres no elk on the Little Smokey, dont worry I wont go out there this year anyways, when the water levle is higher I'll draw a Mulie tag and float it.

Anyone ever done the Smokey from Grande Cache to GP? That might be a fun trip if theres enough water.

[TBark]

Didn't know this was a boogie man post Ridge View...

TBark

[Cal]

Originally Posted by TBark

Didn't know this was a boogie man post Ridge View...

TBark

My thoughts exactly.

[Sooner]

Game warden out of Athabasca told me lots of good elk hunting along the Athabasca river down stream of Poachers Landing. Hunt the rivers edge and hills, no real pressure and the elk hangout there. Big river to paddle back up on. Not sure if its general or a draw zone, you would have to look it up.

[firegod74]

Cal I've only lived here a coupe years, but I don't think I have ever seen an elk track east of Slave. If they are here they stay far away from the highway.

[Cal]

Yeah thats what I thought Firegod but a couple old farts that worked for Butram hunt them down towards Smith on the north side of the river so there are some there. I think I'm gonna float from Hinton to Whitecourt though, I can hunt both sides of the river there. I can probably draw either a moose or cow elk in 350 next year so I'll save the Assiniboine/ Smith stretch for then.

[IR_mike]

Originally Posted by Cal

Yeah thats what I thought Firegod but a couple old farts that worked for Butram hunt them down towards Smith on the north side of the river so there are some there.

Those elk seem to cross back and forth between 511-510 depending on pressure before they seem to dissapear, you can hunt them on both sides as well.

[Cal]

Originally Posted by IR_mike

Those elk seem to cross back and forth between 511-510 depending on pressure before they seem to dissapear, you can hunt them on both sides as well.

I want to do my trip mid september, 350 will be open but the zones south of the river will not. The zones on both sides of the hinton/ whitecourt section will be open mid september.