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Question:
I hear that a good way to fish for Trout in Spray Lakes AB is to use smelt and jig them off the bottom. My question is two fold:
1. I thought fish baits were illegal, do you know if this is true?
2. If it is not illegal, what is the best way to get the smelt to the bottom in a way that will look real to Trout?
Cheers
- Jason Carter, Calgary
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Answer:
Hi Jason,
The rules regarding baitfish can be a bit confusing but the definition below from the regulations should clear up the use of smelts.
"Bait Fish means any of the following:
a. suckers (family Catostomidae)
b. sticklebacks (family Gasterosteidae)
c. trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus)
d. Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile)
e. minnows (family Cyprinidae), except carp, goldfish and the western silvery minnow.
Note: Pet store fish (tropical fish) or crayfish cannot be used as bait fish.
Bait Fish may be used in waters that do not have bait bans or bait fish restrictions. Where fishing with bait fish is prohibited, other baits including smelts, herring, gammarus shrimp and dead fish eggs (e.g., preserved “salmon eggs”) may be used, provided a bait ban is not in effect for that water body.
NOTE: Smelts and herring are of the saltwater families Osmeridae and Clupeidae. Use of the freshwater species cisco (Coregonidae), also called tullibee or lake herring, is prohibited from use as bait."
Many people fish a smelt on a jig head with a stinger hook anywhere from a few inches to several feet of the bottom. Others suspend the smelt on a single or treble hook a foot or so below a weight. The lake trout are very light bighters at Spray and typically require a fast hookset. Either way of fishing a smelt works well and the key is to keep it off the bottom. I usually find it works well to jig it up and down occasionally but most bites come when it's sitting motionless.
TJ
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Question:
Im going for a grouse hunt. My son Ty needs a shotgun, he is 11 and 5'1".
Any recommendations?
- Ian, Calgary
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Answer:
Hi Ian,
Boy, that is a question with many answers. A lot would depend on how much he has shot, what your budget is and what type of grouse you'll be hunting. The biggest factor with a young hunter is a gun that fits well and that often means a shorter stock which in turn means a shorter barrel for better balance. I'd likely head to your local gun shop and try several of for size but I'd be looking at a 20 gauge in either a single shot or pump action. It may be worth looking for a good used gun as well as he will likely want to upgrade in the future so making a big investment in this shotgun may not be the wisest thing.
TJ
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Question:
Where is the best WMU for moose in south-central Alberta?
- Mike, Calgary
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Answer:
Dear Mike,
I haven't hunted moose very much in south-central Alberta and certainly the word "best" is a subjective term. Some WMUs have high populations of moose and others have lower populations but higher quality trophy potential. Other things to consider are how easy access is to obtain. It really depends what you are looking for in your hunt. If forced to choose one, I'd say WMU 728 as it offers some great opportunity and trophy potential and obtaining permission isn't an issue.
TJ
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Question:
What kind of trail cams do you reccomend for use during winter? I would like to get a good one that I can use all the time and take a lot of good photos with it.
- Len Gray, Calgary
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Answer:
Hi Len,
I use Treebark Cameras and they have served me very well, even in the extreme cold.
TJ
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Question:
I generally take my boys to carson a couple of times a year and we do not always get our limit. What is the best lure for rainbow trout for winter and summer.
- Mike, Redwater
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Answer:
Hi Mike,
My experience on Carson is limited but the couple times I've fished it in May and June, we did extremely well trolling nymphs on a sinking fly line. My most productive fly was a 52 Buick. I'd highly suggest that you visit the Alberta Outdoorsmen Messageboard and I'm sure there are some anglers in the fishing forum that could offer far more advice than I can.
TJ
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Question:
Hi, I am huntuing cougar this year for the first time and I dont have dogs. What is the easiest and best way to find cougar without dogs.
- Kelly Andrews, Highriver
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Answer:
Hey Kelly,
Hunting cougars without hounds is a challenge for sure. Your best bet would be to locate fresh tracks and then try mouth calling with a predator call. I'd suggest a fawn in distress or dying rabbit call. Just be careful though as cougars are big toothy predators that can come in fast.
Good luck,
TJ
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Question:
Can I use any size caliber when shooting coyotes such as 30-06 or 270, or do I have to use a 22 cal like a 22-250 or 22 mag. Had coyote 15 yards from house last night and intend on "discouraging" it pretty soon. I'm not after the hide, but there are 4 or 5 travelling around here together and our dog is looking like an easy target for them.
- Fred, Barrhead
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Answer:
Hi Fred,
Providing it's legal to shoot coyotes and legal to discharge a firearm where you live and you follow all the rules of gun safety, there is nothing wrong with shooting a coyote with a .270 or .30-06 although I suspect damage to the pelt will be extensive.
Thanks,
TJ
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Question:
What can you tell me about the fishing at Michelle Lake and Coral Lake. I'm looking at purchasing a Heli-Fishing trip for my husband's 50th birthday and I wanted to know if these lakes are best for just fly fishing or if a person can just use the regular casting rod and lure. Any information you can give me would be most appreciated!!!!
- Shelly, Calgary
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Answer:
Hi Shelly,
I've yet to do the helicopter trip to Coral but it's most definitely on my bucket list. What a great birthday gift that will be. I do know several people that have fished it though and yes, fly fishing definitely stacks the odds in your favour. The golden trout in these lakes can be very spooky and in the sterile high-mountain lakes, they are used to eating a diet of insects, so fly fishing definitely fits the bill.
TJ
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Question:
Hi,
I recently heard that there is a large population of wild boars in the province. Do you know if this is true and what areas of the province they are located? Is there a season on them or are they currently unresrticted?
Thanks - Lee Schneider, St. Albert
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Answer:
Hi Lee,
I'm not certain there is a large population but there are definitely some hunters harvesting them. The Barrhead area seems to be one of the hotspots but I've heard about them from Grande Prairie to east of Edmonton. There have been some great threads on the Alberta Outdoorsmen Messageboard recently about wild boar hunting that you should check out. Just do a search for wild boars in the hunting forum. There is no season for wild boars but caution must be taken not to confuse domestic pigs with the feral ones.
Check out http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca for more information.
TJ
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Question:
Hello,
Next year I plan on bow hunting, something I have never done before. I would like to be prepared before next year. Is there any websites that you could recommend I read before next season?
- Tim O'Brien, Grande Cache
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Answer:
Hi Tim:
Rather than starting with websites, I'd highly recommend that you start with your local archery shop and get properly set up by a professional. After that, there is loads of information out there on hunting elk with a bow. I'm a big fan of the Alberta Outdoorsmen Messageboard (http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca) and the archery forum is filled with knowledgeable bow hunters and I've always respected Wayne Carlton's knowledge of elk. Here's a link to an article about him but I'm sure a Google search will turn up countless more. http://www.camowest.com/elksec1.htm
Good luck in the upcoming season,
TJ
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Question:
TJ, we have lots of pictures and video of large deer in the area that we hunt and as the rut was in full swing we would see alot of smaller bucks running does. They were running them hard almost all day but we would not see any of the larger ones that we were after. Why do you think that all we would have seen chasing the does were the smaller ones and not the larger dominant bucks? We know that they are still there but they are being really elusive this year. We have not spooked any of them and have hunted the winds properly and are still getting them on our cameras but have not been able to see any of them in the open. Any advise would be great.
Thank you
- Tyler, Calgary
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Answer:
Hi Tyler,
Big bucks are typically quite secretive breeders and will usually hide away with a doe for a few days while they are breeding. If the area you are hunting has a high doe to buck ratio, it's quite easy for the dominant bucks to find receptive does and is the reason you aren't seeing them out in the open. The smaller bucks don't get much opportunity to breed and are much more active chasing does that aren't receptive. The most likely time to see the big boys out on the hunt is right at the end of the rut when most of the does have been bred and they are searching for those last few receptive does. The last few days of November are your best bet to catch a big buck in the open. It's also a great time to try some rattling and calling.
TJ
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Question:
Hi,
I am planning to start a hunting and fishing club. Do you ave any suggestions that could streamline the process?
- Sean Watt, Edmonton
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Answer:
Hi Sean,
I'd highly recommend that you contact the Alberta Fish and Game Association. There are many benefits to affiliating your club with them and the local AFGA zone director will be a huge help in getting you set up. They can be contacted at 780-437-2342 or www.afga.org.
TJ
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Question:
I'm new to the area and wondering where a good place to hunt boars is. I've heard Barrhead/Mayerthorpe area, just wondering.
Thanks - Dave Fenwick, Spruce Grove
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Answer:
Wild boars are quite literally the proverbial needle in a haystack, especially now that more hunters are targeting them. The Barrhead/Mayerthorpe area is definitely one of the more consistent producers but a lot of scouting is required. You might want to check out the hunting forum on the Alberta Outdoorsmen Messageboard. There have been several recent threads about wild boar hunting in Alberta. Check it out at www.outdoorsmenforum.ca
Just do a search for wild boar on the messageboard and I'm sure you'll find loads of info from hunters across theprovince.
TJ |
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Question:
I am a non Treaty hunter & wondering if I can legally hunt with a Treaty card carrying hunter. This is for Deer.
- Fred McCorry, Red Deer
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Answer:
Hi Fred,
For legal matterrs such as this, I would suggest that your best option would be to contact the Sustainable Resource Development Information Centre. They can be contacted at
Information Centre
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Main Floor, Great West Life Building
9920 108 Street
Edmonton Alberta Canada T5K 2M4
Hours of Operation, Mon-Fri: 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tel (Edmonton local): 780 944-0313
Toll Free: 1 877 944-0313
Fax: 780 427-4407
Email: srd.infocent@gov.ab.ca
Thanks,
TJ
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Question:
I'm new hunter in Alberta. I have a licence to hunt antlerless deer, does that also include does or just bucks?
Thanks - Joe Colicchio |
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Answer:
Hi Joe,
Questions regarding hunting and fishing regulations are best directed to your nearest Fish and Wildlife office but if you check the regulations out, you'll see the definition of antlerless is as follows:
Antlered - A white-tailed deer, moose or elk having an antler exceeding 10.2 cm (4 in.) in length.
Antlerless - A white-tailed deer, moose or elk that is not "antlered" (as defined above)
An on-line version of the regulations can be found at
http://www.albertaregulations.ca/huntingregs/
TJ
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Question:
I was hunting with my dad and uncle in WMU #515 and all we saw were three does and lots, and I mean lots of wolf tracks. It was only a 4-5 day old snowfall. Later we were discussing that the lack of animal activity could very well be linked to the heightening wolf population. Even though we are trying to preserve these creatures don't you think it has gone to far? It's getting to the point that it's scary to walk around in the forest. What's it going to take, somebody to die before we address this problem? The spring baby ungulates won't stand a chance to a pack of hungry wolves. Is there anything I can do to bring more attention to this problem?
- Barrett Dudzic, Gibbons
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Answer:
Hi Barrett,
Yes, there does seem to be increasing wolf activity throughout much of Alberta and undoubtedly they, combined with a number of other factors, are working to keep ungulate numbers down in some WMUs. I'm not sure anyone is really working to preserve wolves as they may be shot throughout most of Alberta. Also, the government just legalized the use of electronic callers this year which should aid those that are interested in hunting them have greater success. Your best bet would be to contact the area biologist to get his take on things and I would highly encourage you to become a member of the Alberta Fish and Game Association and join their voice in matters such as this.
TJ
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Question:
I am taking my 21 year old step son who wants to tag a black bear on my trapline up near Namur and Gardner lakes. I have seen numerous black bears in my travels and the sows with cubs are easy to determine, however, prior to my stepson taking bead on a bear I would like to ensure it is a male as the sexual organs are not always visible. I have read lots on the ear formations, longer snouts on females etc. But are there any telltale markings or characteristics to look for? Any help on those would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any help offered.
- Gregory Young, Athabasca
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Answer:
Hi Gregory,
It sounds like you've found some good information in the reading you've done. Most hunters concentrate on the head, with the females typically having a longer, more tapered snout but one trick I picked up while hunting with Darren DeLuca on Vancouver Island was to pay attention to the ankles. On sows, the ankles will be quite obvious and much smaller than the rest of the leg whereas on a boar, the ankle will not taper but will be the same diameter as the rest of the leg. Boars also tend to walk much more pigeon toed than sows.
While there is no way to 100% determine sex on a black bear at a distance, paying attention to the head and ankles will give you a pretty good idea.
TJ
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Question:
I heard that there is a trail camera that you can hook a 12-volt car battery up to instead of using D batteries. Do you know the name of it or where it can be found, thank you.
- Glenn Woodworth, Blackfalds
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Answer:
Hi Glenn,
I've never used a trail camera with an external 12-volt battery for power but I do know that both Stealth and Wildview offer models with an external battery jack.
TJ
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Question:
This is my 12 year old son's first year hunting and I'm wondering what would be a good gun for a first-time hunter?
- Ken Marlatt, Edmonton |
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Answer:
I think one of the most common mistakes that people make when outfitting a youngster with a rifle is figuring that one of their old hand-me downs will work. In some cases this may be true but for the most part, adult-sized rifles don’t fit youth that well. A rifle needs to fit before you worry about anything else and this typically means a shorter stock. A number of manufacturers offer “youth” models for just this purpose. One danger with a shorter stock is a rifle that isn’t balanced properly so if a shorter stock is required to fit your son properly, either consider a wooden stock or a shorter barrel to aid in balance.
Recoil is obviously the next concern. How much shooting experience your son has and his physical size will determine an appropriate cartridge. If this is to be a big game rifle, then a .243 would be the minimum to look at and with lighter loads, many youth do very well with rifles up to .270. The addition of a quality recoil pad should be considered a must regardless of cartridge.
The best advice would be to visit a gun shop and try some various brands for fit or if you are looking to hand down a rifle, be prepared to shorten or replace the stock.
TJ
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