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| 2009 Hunting Report - Click to Download The Full Printable 2009 Hunt Report in PDF format | ||
 John Martin |
 Mike Salmon |
 Bill McNab |
 Jack Miller |
 Kent Green |
 Phil Youtsey |
 Nick Trotta |
 2009 Waterfowl Hunt |
 Lee Geisser |
 Brad Goldworm |
 Paul Wolski |
 Robert Knox |
 Dave Halota |
 Lee Davenport |
 Bill Gray |
| 2009 Hunt Summary | ||
It is now December, another hunting season has come to a close and winter has set in. I cannot believe that another year has come and gone reminding me that we have to enjoy each day to its fullest. This past season was another fulfilling one here at Willow Creek Outfitters and the one thing that stood out to me was the great group of clients. There were good times and relationships forged that made great memories for years to come. Even through these tough economic times we were very fortunate to have our busiest season yet guiding more clients than we have ever had on a true fair chase hunting experience. I personally started the 2009 hunting season in March by treating myself to a trip to Africa, a place I had long yearned to see. I hunted with Crusader Safaris of South Africa, a top notch outfitter specializing in fair chase plains game hunts on over 900,000 acres. When it was all said and done I had some phenomenal memories and experiences and I harvested two species of kudu, a gemsbok and two bushbuck. I plan to return in the near future, if you are interested in joining in on this upcoming hunt let me know, you will be glad you did. Upon my return from Africa I began to get ready for our spring spot and stalk black bear hunt. Joining us on this hunt were all clients that had hunted with us at least once in the past. We harvested two nice black boars a 6’1” and a 6’10” that had 19 12/16” skull. There were also three shot opportunities at three other big bears in the 6 ½” to 7’ range, two of which were colored. We all miss at some point if you have hunted long enough! During the summer I spent a month guiding Dall sheep in the Yukon for a good friend of mine, Kelly Wiebe who now manages Ruby Range Outfitters. Many of you know Kelly as he has helped me guide my rifle deer hunts for the past four years. Upon my return I started into my intense scouting routine that consumed most days for the month prior to the archery season opener. After many hours and miles I was a little disappointed in the lack of sightings of top end trophy mule deer. We had experienced a very dry spring and early summer this year that was most likely the reason for stunting of antler growth. Throughout the bow season we took 11 clients for mule deer and 2 for elk. Again we hunted mule deer that would score in the 190’s and the elk hunters were on to a bull that would push 340”. But as you know if you are a bow hunter seeing them and getting them are two different things! We were again 100% on opportunity with the archery mule deer. All but two guys launched arrows but of the 16 shots taken only 4 found their mark. Nick Trotta harvest the best scoring buck, an old buck in the mid 160’s. Nick harvested a 177” muley last year and also booked for 2010. Can he make it 3 for 3! The two elk hunters dealt with extreme heat and a few unfortunate circumstances that kept them from sealing the deal on the big bull and a few other smaller 5 and 6 points. As the last bow hunters were leaving our first bird hunters arrived. Again the extreme heat we were having at the time affected our bag limits but we had some good shoots where guys limited out on ducks first thing in the morning. As we moved into the middle of October our weather improved for hunting and the duck and goose shoots greatly improved! As the end of October approached our rifle season arrived. We started hunting mule deer in the pre rut stage. Due to warmer weather the heat of the rut held off until the middle of the month when both the whitetails and mule deer kicked it into high gear. We were 100% on the dozen rifle mule deer hunts and 5 for 6 on the rifle whitetails. Majority of our mule deer hunters were first timers and had never hunted these deer before, we were happy to say that they had taken their best buck to date with us! Mike Salmon took the best mule deer for the season, an old brute that scored over 180”. Dave Halota took his best whitetail with us, and the best for the season, a nice 5x5 that scored in the mid 140’s. Now that the big game hunting season is over it is time to chase ol’ wiley coyote! We have no shortage of coyotes in this country as any of you that have hunted here can attest! If you are looking for some excitement this winter give me a call and we can set you up with an action packed coyote hunt. At this point 60% of our 2010 big game hunts have been booked so if you are in the market for a quality fair chase hunt, come give us a try. We will also have a booth at the Wild Sheep Foundation in Reno, Feb 4-6. I would like to sincerely thank all of the clients from this year and also ones from past seasons. Also thanks to all the guides, cook and cleaner for all your hard work to make it all happen and doing your part in making our client’s dreams become a reality! Best wishes to all for the holiday season and hope to hunt with you sometime down the trail! Download The Full Printable 2009 Hunt Report
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Willow Creek Outfitters André van Hilten 1-403-549-0111 |
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Updated December 17, 2012 Website design by JLS Web Designs & Alberta Outdoors |
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| Hunting reports Alberta Canada mule deer hunts, mule deer bowhunts, whitetail deer hunts, black bear hunts & coyote hunts Willow Creek Outfitters |