Buffalo Draw

mac1013 · #1 07-09-2016, 07:39 AM

SO guys I was lucky enough to get awarded a buffalo draw for northern Alberta , have any of you hunted these big beasts up there ,and if so do you have any tips on where to go or where I cannot go ,where to stay/ where not to stay . Also I was wondering about renting skidoo while up there rather than tugging one up with me also what is the better time of the season to go I can pretty much book days off to go when ever is best , and I have a couple guys willing to come for the hunt just need more input from anyone who has been up there to hunt one.

Thanks all for any input you may have for me .

Dick284 · #2 07-09-2016, 07:51 AM

Talk to the locals, and truck drivers up and around Zama City.

Big Grey Wolf · #3 07-09-2016, 07:56 AM

Great to hear you were drawn. I would pick days when it is not -40oC and when there is not 4 feet of snow. You will need a good snowmobile and large sleigh for hauling out meat. Goodluck

mac1013 · #4 07-09-2016, 10:45 AM

Yea sounds like I will have to a bit of background work I read to go later in season as the buffalo have settled down a bit .

wildalberta · #5 07-09-2016, 11:13 AM

i worked in zama for a few years. plenty around there. depends on how the winters are. ive seen 5' of snow and 6" of snow. i would try to go as early as possible in the season to try to avoid snow accumulation and roads should be plenty frozen by then.

josh_beeks · #6 07-09-2016, 05:59 PM

I got drawn too!

double gun · #7 07-09-2016, 06:28 PM

I am very very jealous. Congrats and post pictures

elkhunter1234 · #8 07-09-2016, 06:52 PM

I'll be following this thread as my son also drew this tag. Any and all advice will be gratefully appreciate..

Jim...

Sooner · #9 07-09-2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

I'll be following this thread as my son also drew this tag. Any and all advice will be gratefully appreciate..

Jim...

You lucky bugger, elk last year now bison. Good Luck to your son, I know you will be driving the truck.

elkhunter1234 · #10 07-09-2016, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooner

You lucky bugger, elk last year now bison. Good Luck to your son, I know you will be driving the truck.

Ya we'll get to know that north country pretty good this year with 3 bull moose tags for 539 and a buffalo tag.. Lol..

Norwest Alta · #11 07-09-2016, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

Ya we'll get to know that north country pretty good this year with 3 bull moose tags for 539 and a buffalo tag.. Lol..

Best of luck to you. Few years ago when I was in zama working I didn't see anything but Buffalo. Not even a raven. Only Buffalo.

Puma · #12 07-09-2016, 09:54 PM

and here I thought they were Bison .....

Buffalo

Norwest Alta · #13 07-09-2016, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puma

and here I thought they were Bison .....

Same thing to me. Buffalo hunting sounds much cooler then bison hunting to my ears. Good luck to the folks that got drawn. If someone needs a sidekick I'd be intrested on helping.

Richftmac · #14 07-10-2016, 07:08 AM

I had a tag last year, we went up in February. We were lucky and the snow was only a couple feet deep. With the down turn in the economy a lot of the bush roads were not pushed and snowmobiles are required. Had to put on a few miles and only seen a few small herds. Lots of hotels in High Level with kitchenettes so you don't have to depend on restaurants. Skinning a bison in -30 not to bad as they have a huge gut pile to warm your hands.

mac1013 · #15 07-10-2016, 08:44 AM

Good to know about the roads will definitely have to take skidoo up or rent one in High level I was thinking of going for opening day then if nothing go back in mid Feb.

Norwest Alta · #16 07-10-2016, 08:58 AM

I think there is cabins at bistcho lake for rent. I don't know if there is still the pentastar camp in zama. Last time I was there the grub was good and the rooms were clean. The Buffalo that I seen while I was there were mainly along the road from zama to rainbow.

Allseasons · #17 07-10-2016, 08:58 AM

Do a search on here, lots of info.

Our group was successful (lucky)last season, many were not. PM if you want some info and or details. There are others on here that helped me out last season.

I didnt find CO's/Biologists or wellsite operators helpful last season when up there, most of the great intel came from this sight, both from successful and unsuccessful parties.

Watch for weather patterns, fresh snow= fresh sign= buffalo in the truck. 2-3 guys is lots, we took a ranger on tracks, but a knife, a chainsaw with veg oil and a hand pulled tobaggan did all the work. from the shot to driving away was 3 hours with a 150yrd drag.

Oh, good luck and congrats

astepanuk · #18 07-10-2016, 09:57 AM

My friend was lucky enough to draw the tag aswell we will be heading up first week in January with the hopes of getting a nice bull. Open to anyone that has any info greatly appreciated were not afraid to put on miles in search of such a beast. Good luck everyone.

canadianeh#1 · #19 07-10-2016, 07:37 PM

I got drawn too!!!!! Never been up north hunting so will be doing a lot of research any and all info will be great. PM works too. Thanks in advance

Xbolt7mm · #20 07-10-2016, 09:01 PM

Would a can am xmr 1000 on tracks be suitable to use up there or do you have to have a sled

bwalch32 · #21 07-10-2016, 09:37 PM

I also got drawn should be interesting

sillyak · #22 07-10-2016, 09:56 PM

I just spent two weeks at the Noralta in Rainbow Lake. I think there is a Noralta in Zama too. I would just stay there. Pricey, but you get good food and don't have to worry about cooking.

elkhunter1234 · #23 07-11-2016, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillyak

I just spent two weeks at the Noralta in Rainbow Lake. I think there is a Noralta in Zama too. I would just stay there. Pricey, but you get good food and don't have to worry about cooking.

Noralta? Is that a camp? What did they charge you per night? Is it per person? There will be 3 maybe 4 of us.. Just wondering..

Thanks..

Jim..

Allseasons · #24 07-11-2016, 08:01 AM

When we called it was outrageous and per person.

Im cheap though. There was 4 of us as well, we each pre made a meal at home, fired up the crock pot in our hotel every morning before we left, Continental breakfast and a bag lunch with munchies. Was perfect. There is lots of dark time up there to get chit done.

If I were to go again, id stay in rainbow rather than high level. We focused on Hay Lake area though

sillyak · #25 07-11-2016, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter1234

Noralta? Is that a camp? What did they charge you per night? Is it per person? There will be 3 maybe 4 of us.. Just wondering..

Thanks..

Jim..

It's an open camp. This June it was $165 per person per night. That includes three meals a day. Everyone gets their own room and bathroom.

elkhunter1234 · #26 07-11-2016, 08:50 AM

Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it..

Jim

Digger · #27 07-11-2016, 05:38 PM

I was also drawn but the first thing I have to know. What calaber of gun to use? I own a 7mm08,.270,.308 win , do I need something bigger?

Lefty-Canuck · #28 07-11-2016, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

I was also drawn but the first thing I have to know. What calaber of gun to use? I own a 7mm08,.270,.308 win , do I need something bigger?

Did I hear about a .308 caliber minimum? or was that for something else?

LC

dale7637 · #29 07-11-2016, 05:48 PM

Pm me and I can help you out. I live in the area and have been down this road before.

elkhunter1234 · #30 07-11-2016, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dale7637

Pm me and I can help you out. I live in the area and have been down this road before.

PM is on its way