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2019 Saskatchewan Whitetail Forecast

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In 2018 the number of young 3 1/2 year old whitetails on our bait sites was nothing shy of amazing . This high number of young up and comers, is the sure sign of a total recovery. Saskatchewan's whitetail population went through a tough time with back to back devastating winters in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014.  These winters did not only see a drop in the population, the reproduction rate of the survivors had also dropped significantly in the springs that followed. What made these winters tougher on the whitetail population than every other harsh Saskatchewan winter?     1. They started early , when you compound deep snow with harsh temperatures dipping as low as -40F before the rut had even began. This left it extremely tough for the bucks to feed and recover after burning their fat reserves after the rut marathon had ended. 2. The length of winter , I can think back to the spring of 2013 and recall people ice fishing on May 5th in southern Saskatchewan.  This is the opening day

Top 3 Giant Saskatchewan Whitetails Ever Harvested

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Saskatchewan has always been on the map when it comes to some of the largest whitetails ever harvested world wide.  The popularity of hunting this ungulate is largely driven because whitetails are the widest spread species of the deer family, living throughout much of Canada, United States, Mexico, Central America, South America and even being introduced into some European country's as well.   The buck featured at the top of the page is the Elburn Kohler Buck.  Harvested in 1957 and registered in the town of White Fox Saskatchewan.  This beast of a whitetail holds the number one spot for non velvet non typical whitetails ever harvested in the province measuring out at a whopping 257 3/8". This next buck is the largest Non Typical/ velvet whitetail ever harvested in Saskatchewan.  Harvested by Dallas Heinrichs from Loydminister in 2012 and scoring an incredible 271 0/8.    You can't have a list of Saskatchewan's top whitetails without including the World&#

Canadian Whitetail Deer Hunt Packing List

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So you have decided to venture north on the hunt for a trophy Canadian whitetail.  Being prepared and having the right gear to keep you comfortable in the woods when sitting sun up to sun down is very important.  Here is what we recommend our hunters bring to ensure they are comfortable and therefore ready when the opportunity at a trophy Saskatchewan whitetail presents itself. -Warm footwear, Saskatchewan Pac Boot from cabalas or an equivalent boot for warmth -Heater body suits -Warm mitts that can be slipped off quietly for shooting -Balaclava -orange stocking cap -Shooting stick -Binoculars -Day Pack capable of carrying all your gear to and from the blind everyday -Orange vest -Orange Hat -2 boxes of ammunition -Firearm declaration form for at the border http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/form-formulaire/pdfs/5589-eng.pdf -Passport www.bonequestoutfitters.com

Spring Bear Hunting Tips

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As the owner of Bone Quest Outfitters in Saskatchewan, Canada with several years of bear hunting experience I have picked up on few techniques which have helped us to be successful in the woods. First off in order to kill a big bear on a bait the bear has to find the bait.  Increase your draw area by increasing the smell.  Rotting meat, dirty cooking oil, anise oil just to list a few things that will send the stench through the woods.  One product we have found to help us and is easy and clean to deal with is Moultrie's Bear Magnet.  A couple of gobs on the barrel and on surrounding logs every bait rotation will send a strong delicious aroma through the woods.   Once your bears have found the bait the next thing you will have to do is keep them there and keep them from turning nocturnal on you.  This can be done by having the right bait rotation as well as not overfeeding.  On our sites we will chop up beavers into handful size pieces in order to prevent a bear from grabbing

Circle Hooks For Giant Northern Pike

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Like most people I was once a quick strike user.  In the past three ice fishing seasons I have not tied on a single treble hook.  Not because they don't work but rather because the circle hook single handedly saves fish, and hook up rates when used properly are equal or even slightly higher. The key is bait/ hook size.  Since there is just a single hook in the middle of the bait, you need a bait rigid enough to sit horizontal.   Smelts, ciscoes, herrings and even some alwives are perfect for this technique.  The baits we run are anywhere from 5-10" in length.  Small baits when targeting giant pike but like any fish big pike are opportunistic and will eat these bite sized meals.  Hook size can be experimented with but what we have found is 5/0 owner hooks perform exceptionally well. Pictured above is another 30lbs pike with a 5/0 circle hook in the corner of the mouth.  We have found that roughly 8 out of every 10 pike caught on a circle hook are hooked coffin corner.  

Canadian Spring Bear Hunt Packing List

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In order to enjoy every aspect of your spring bear hunt to the fullest there are a few things you should bring along. - A mesh bug proof head cover, for the mosquito's.  Bears like to be near water in heavily wooded areas.  Freshly hatched mosquito's also like these areas making this item a very important item that I would not recommend going without. - Bug proof gloves , While I'm on the mosquito topic bare skin is a bad idea.  You want to be able to sit still and do your best to be undetected while on the stand. - Quiet Camo Rain Gear , Although the rain isn't the best of hunting conditions it is one that is unpredictable and one that we will endure and hunt through, so having the right gear for the situation is important. - Orange ball cap and Vest , I'm speaking for rifle hunters headed to our neck of the woods in Saskatchewan.  This is a regulation for all rifle hunters or bow hunters carrying a rifle.  Bowhunters, muzzleloaders and shotgun hunters are e

Mature Whitetails

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It's an early start to the season with several bucks already showing up on the camera's.  This being a great sign for the 2017 fall we have been looking forward to for the past 9 months.  Typically our mature bucks tend to show up more frequently towards the end of October going on through the season and into December so seeing mature bucks this early can't help but make us excited with the anticipation of our hunters harvesting some great whitetails this fall. If your looking for Saskatchewan whitetail hunt, give us a call and we'd be happy to accommodate you for what should be a great season ahead of us. 1-306-227-9637 www.bonequestoutfitters.com