North American Outdoorsman
    What's Hot

    Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binocular Review

    November 27, 2023

    BOG Death Grip Review

    November 21, 2023

    Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

    November 20, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    North American OutdoorsmanNorth American Outdoorsman
    • Current Issue
    • Publications
      • North American Outdoorsman
      • North American Deer Hunter
      • North American Bowhunter
      • Crossbow Magazine
    • Authors
    • Partners
    • Newsletter
    Facebook Instagram YouTube
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Hunting
      1. Whitetail
      2. Bowhunting
      3. Big Game
      4. Stories
      5. How to Hunt
      6. Podcasts
      7. View All

      15 Best Late-Season Deer Food Plots

      February 13, 2023

      Offseason Wintertime Whitetail Prep

      December 30, 2022

      Process your own deer

      October 21, 2022

      Spot-and-Stalk Whitetail Hunt with my Dad

      October 14, 2022

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Process your own deer

      October 21, 2022

      Hunting Woodland Caribou: A Newfound Passion

      August 7, 2022

      Bow Birds

      April 1, 2022

      Long-Range Elk

      October 6, 2023

      Getting High on Alberta Bighorn Sheep

      August 23, 2023

      Playing the Wind: The Adventures of Abby and Shaundi         

      August 23, 2023

      The Complete Hunter

      August 23, 2023

      Playing the Wind: The Adventures of Abby and Shaundi         

      August 23, 2023

      Mom’s First Moose: A Family Hunting Adventure

      August 23, 2023

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      A Boy’s First Goose

      May 12, 2023

      Dog Breed Selector – What Breed of Dog Should I Get for Hunting?

      October 16, 2023

      How to Find the Perfect Deer Hunting Property

      October 2, 2023

      Find a Mentor and Dive Right In

      August 23, 2023

      Traveling With Your Gun Dog

      August 20, 2023

      Campfire Stories Podcast | Ep 188 with Montey DeBoer of Hornady

      July 10, 2023

      A Fascination with Handgun Hunting

      November 8, 2023

      Fill Your Freezer With Something Different and Go Exotic Hunting

      October 31, 2023

      A Pup’s First Hunt

      October 27, 2023

      Big Bucks x 2

      October 25, 2023
    • Fishing
      1. All Fishing
      2. Fly Fishing
      3. How to Fish
      4. View All

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      A 500-year Fishing Tradition Provides New Thrills for Anglers

      October 8, 2023

      Our Picks: Best Fly Fishing Vests

      September 26, 2023

      Fishing for Dinosaurs: Our Chase for White Sturgeon

      August 13, 2023

      Our Picks: Best Fly Fishing Vests

      September 26, 2023

      How to Pick a Fly Box

      March 3, 2023

      Essential Equipment for Fly Fisherman

      December 20, 2022

      Fly Fishing: Backing, Leaders And Tippets – All You Need to Know

      August 9, 2022

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      Lake Texoma: Queen of Inland Striper Fisheries

      March 6, 2023

      How to Pick a Fly Box

      March 3, 2023

      How to Make Winter Walleye Bite

      February 15, 2023

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      A 500-year Fishing Tradition Provides New Thrills for Anglers

      October 8, 2023

      Our Picks: Best Fly Fishing Vests

      September 26, 2023

      Fishing for Dinosaurs: Our Chase for White Sturgeon

      August 13, 2023
    • Gear
      1. Gear Reviews
      2. New Outdoor Gear
      3. View All

      Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binocular Review

      November 27, 2023

      BOG Death Grip Review

      November 21, 2023

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      Our Picks: Best Belly Band Holsters

      October 23, 2023

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      The Best Hunting Boots for Men and Women

      August 22, 2023

      Garmin’s New Lineup of Outdoor Navigation Devices

      March 15, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binocular Review

      November 27, 2023

      BOG Death Grip Review

      November 21, 2023

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      A Fascination with Handgun Hunting

      November 8, 2023
    • Field to Table
      1. #eatwhatyoukill
      2. Recipes
      3. View All

      Fill Your Freezer With Something Different and Go Exotic Hunting

      October 31, 2023

      Venison Tacos on a Pellet Grill

      February 21, 2023

      Goose Recipes: Bacon Benedict with Duck Fat Hollandaise

      February 3, 2023

      Fish Stock – Jeff Benda

      May 26, 2022

      Fill Your Freezer With Something Different and Go Exotic Hunting

      October 31, 2023

      Rabbit Paprikash

      October 10, 2023

      Snow Goose Ravioli

      August 13, 2023

      Snow Goose Lasagna

      June 18, 2023

      Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binocular Review

      November 27, 2023

      BOG Death Grip Review

      November 21, 2023

      Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

      November 20, 2023

      A Fascination with Handgun Hunting

      November 8, 2023
    • News
      1. Conservation
      2. Editorial
      3. Press Releases
      4. View All

      The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

      October 28, 2022

      Help the Yelp

      March 25, 2022

      Conservation Hunts For Spring Snow Geese

      February 6, 2022

      Tools and Equipment For Whitetail Habitat Management

      February 3, 2022

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      Newly Approved IGFA World Records

      April 19, 2022

      USCCA Congratulates Georgia Governor for Signing Constitutional Carry Bill

      April 15, 2022

      The RCMP’s Secret Long-Gun Registry

      January 31, 2022

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      Exclusive Women’s Issue

      October 4, 2022

      Kimber Releases New 1911 RAPIDE, R7 Mako, and Limited-Edition Micro 9

      August 19, 2022

      Armed and Responsible: Sweetheart Grips, Significant Others and Self-Defense

      February 19, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

      October 28, 2022
    • Book a Trip
      • Hunting Trips
      • Fishing Trips
    • Login
    North American Outdoorsman
    Home » All Articles » Big Bucks x 2
    Featured

    Big Bucks x 2

    TJ SchwankyBy TJ SchwankyOctober 25, 20238 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Tumblr Email
    author
    The author glassing for deer in Alberta.
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    There are only a handful of states and provinces in North America where as a resident or non resident, that you can get a tag for both whitetail and mule deer in the same season. There’s even less destinations where you can expect a better than average buck of each species on the same week-long hunt. But the Canadian province of Alberta is definitely one of those places. While most of the best mule deer units require resident hunters to draw a tag, non- residents can book a hunt through an outfitter without having to draw. When most people think of giant mule deer, they focus on the southern part of the province and there are great bucks there but if it’s a combination hunt you seek, then you want to look at the east-central part of Alberta, all the way north to the Peace River region. Both species are not only common but the record books are filled with both whitetails and mule deer from this area. It’s not uncommon to see both feeding side by side in the same agricultural fields.

    tracks
    Big buck tracks in the snow.

    Last season, Vanessa was fortunate enough to draw a mule deer tag in one of the provine’s better units, and of course, we both had a whitetail tag. Whitetail tags are available over the counter in most of Alberta. The deal was that we’d focus on mule deer for Vanessa but if we saw a good whitetail, I’d be up first. Our friends and Taxidermists, Curtis and Jennifer Fischer from Silver Willow Taxidermy offered us a place to stay during the hunt and Curtis offered to show us around the area. The mule deer unit was a bit of a drive from their place, but I’ve learned to never say no to local knowledge, especially from someone with a collection of big deer like Curtis and Jen have. Walking into their trophy room is amazing and it has more big whitetails and mule deer in it than most people will ever see in a lifetime.

    When we arrived, Curtis suggested we hunt hard for mule deer first and then he had some better spots we could try for mule deer. We could hunt whitetail in any unit, so it made sense to hunt the mule deer first, as Vanessa was confined to only one unit. For the first couple days, we covered a lot of the area and likely saw 50-plus bucks each day, including a couple real dandies. Vanessa tried to make a play on two of the bucks but as they were in rut and chasing does hard, it was difficult to get in front of them and it just didn’t work out. It was on day three that we spotted a huge whitetail buck, sky lined on a ridge. He came out of nowhere, likely looking for a hot doe and paused briefly about 150 yards away. But with nothing but blue sky behind him, there was no way to safely take the shot. It was a tough decision not to shoot, but it was the right one and we all sighed as the big buck ran off. He was a true once-in-a-lifetime buck and while Vanessa could have easily taken him, it just wasn’t safe to do.

    It was the fifth day of our hunt when we spotted a big mule deer buck chasing a doe on a large buckbrush flat. There wasn’t a lot of cover to approach unseen, but the pair were moving fast, and daylight was quickly running out so headed straight out after them. The doe appeared nervous at our presence, but the buck was so focused on her that he never even noticed us. They were about 400 yards away, a very doable shot for Vanessa but they just wouldn’t stand still. The rut was in full swing, and he was chasing her hard. Each time he’d pause for a second or two, he offered no shot, with eighter his butt to us or her obscuring his vitals. Finally, they slipped over a rise and went out of sight. With only a few minutes of legal light remaining, I suggested to Vanessa that we follow them with the hopes of getting one more glimpse but we both knew the odds were low.

    sunrise
    Sunrise in Alberta’s parkland region.

    As expected, as we topped the rise, the pair were nowhere to be seen. We decided to circle back along the ridge and meet Curtis where we’d left him. As we were moving along, we spotted a deer standing in the willows. Even at over 300 yards, we could see he had good antlers and a quick look through the binos confirmed it. But it also confirmed that he was a whitetail and not a mule deer. Vanessa hit the ground, extended the legs on the bipod and wasted no time placing the crosshairs on the buck’s chest. He was looking directly at us, and we knew there was little time before he ran off. The big buck buckled at the report of the 7mm and the report of the hit followed shortly. He started moving to the left and Vanessa fired once more. The buck disappeared.

    Hearing the shots, Curtis and his son Lyndon, joined us, and we quickly recounted the story but with only minutes of light remaining, we wasted no time getting on the big buck’s trail. There was loads of blood and the trail was easy to follow, and just as we were running out of light, we found Vanessa’s buck, very dead. While we knew the deer was big from the quick glance we’d gotten of him, we weren’t prepared for how big he really was. This was a true Alberta giant, and I could barely get my hand around his bases. Vanessa was elated and rightfully so. She made a great shot under pressure, but I couldn’t help but remind her of our deal that she got first chance at mule deer, but I got first chance at a whitetail. She just shrugged and told me she had the rifle in her hands when we saw him. I laughed. I didn’t care that I didn’t get the opportunity to shoot the big buck. I was just happy to be part of the hunt.

    look
    Looking for deer.

    Curtis caped the buck out that evening and we spent some time in his shop looking at different forms and poses. We wanted to honour this true giant properly in our home. Curtis was only able to hunt half of the following day with us, our final day. Vanessa was content with her big whitetail but as it had taken her five years to draw the mule deer license, she wanted to hunt right until the end. But as noon rolled around the following day and we hadn’t seen any big mule deer bucks, we decided to head back to Curtis’ place so he could attend to his commitments. We were going to hunt the afternoon alone and then head home.

    On the way back, Vanessa suggested we check out one more spot where we had seen a good buck earlier in the week. As it was midday, we didn’t expect to see much but as it wasn’t out of the way, we figured why not. We parked the truck and planned a quick walk through the area. We hadn’t gone far when we spotted three mule deer bucks hot on the trail of a doe. One of them was the big buck we’d seen earlier in the week and after a quick stalk, Vanessa got settled on the shooting sticks and waited for him to offer a shot. When he did, she spent little time taking advantage the opportunity and placed the 162-grain bullet in his vital. He dropped instantly from the shot. The other two bucks never even acknowledged the sound and kept right on chasing the doe.

    vanessa
    Vanessa preparing to shoot mule deer.

    As we walked up to the big mule deer buck, it was hard to believe that Vanessa had taken two trophy-class bucks in less than 24 hours, only a few miles apart from each other. Alberta truly is a special place to hunt deer and to have an opportunity at two such quality bucks in a week was amazing. In truth, we’d seen a half dozen great mule deer bucks and three whitetails that stretched the tape over 160 inches. The two bucks that Vanessa took were the only ones to offer an opportunity for a shot. While she was the shooter, so much of her good fortune was due to Curtis. He’d grown up in the region and knew it well. The mule deer was a classic 4×4 with deep forks all around and dark chocolate-brown antlers. He had undoubtedly been the dominant buck in the area but by taking him, the younger bucks could now breed and spread some of their genes. Such is the circle of life.

    While taking two great bucks in a week in Alberta is a possibility, it’s certainly not the norm and we couldn’t help but think just how lucky we were to enjoy such bounty and good fortune. If you are interested in hunting Alberta, you can find information at Alberta Professional Outfitters Society.

    vanessa-curtis
    Vanessa and Curtis with her mule deer.
    October 2023
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleOur Picks: Best Belly Band Holsters
    Next Article A Pup’s First Hunt
    Avatar photo
    TJ Schwanky
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

    T.J. Schwanky is one of Canada’s most prolific outdoor writers, penning nearly 1,500 articles since he began writing in 1986. He is also host and producer of Canada’s longest-running hunting television series, Outdoor Quest TV, now in its 24th season of broadcast on Sportsman Channel Canada. TJ has a passion for big game hunting and has hunted on six continents, but his real love is hunting sheep, elk, moose and deer in North America. He has taken a grand slam of North American sheep and has several animals in the record books with rifle and muzzleloader. TJ is recognized as an expert on mountain hunting and long-range shooting and lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. He hunts extensively with his partner, Vanessa Harrop, who also shares his passion for wild places.

    Related Posts

    Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

    November 20, 2023

    A Fascination with Handgun Hunting

    November 8, 2023

    Three Shotguns You May Have Overlooked

    November 6, 2023

    Top 5 Hunting Backpacks

    November 5, 2023

    Choosing the Best Waders for Duck Hunting

    November 4, 2023

    Armed and Responsible: Halloween and Handguns

    November 1, 2023
    Don't Miss
    Gear

    Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binocular Review

    November 27, 2023By North American Outdoorsman Staff11 Mins Read

    The Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Review Process  INTRO/METHOD Disclaimer: This review is written without…

    BOG Death Grip Review

    November 21, 2023

    Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks

    November 20, 2023

    A Fascination with Handgun Hunting

    November 8, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Be the first to know about new issues, premium industry gear discounts, access to exclusive content, & more!

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    about
    NAO is the window into the outside environment for readers pursuing their passions in hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and all pursuits in the outdoors on the North American continent. We will present stories, tips and techniques to be a better outdoorsman, and be completely at home in the outdoor environment for a day, week, or a lifetime.
    Recent Articles
    • Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binocular Review
    • BOG Death Grip Review
    • Best Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks
    • A Fascination with Handgun Hunting
    • Three Shotguns You May Have Overlooked
    Quick Links
    • Current Issue
    • Authors
    • Partners
    • Advertise With Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    Useful Tools
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Save On Gear
    • Hunting Resources
    • Where to Hunt
    • Where to Shoot
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    © 2023 Outdoor Specialty Media. Designed by Crossroads Marketing.
    • North American Outdoorsman
    • North American Deer Hunter
    • North American Bowhunter
    • Crossbow Magazine

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.