Alberta Western Uplands offers premium upland
hunting on one of the largest working cattle ranches
in Alberta. We are located in South Eastern Alberta in
the dramatic wind carved valley of the Red Deer River.
The ranch offers 34000 acres of some of the finest
pheasant hunting habitat in the west and our bird
hunting guides are some of the
most experienced in Alberta.
The bird hunting area sits along one side of about 5
miles of the Red Deer River bottom. The Valley floor
varies but is about a mile wide with steep coulees
climbing maybe 300 vertical feet to the prairie
grasslands above. In total, there are 53 sections of
land on the Ranch. (a section is measured one mile by
one mile). There is lots of space here and not a lot
of neighbors.
The cover encompasses a little bit of
everything to challenge both the bird hunter and different
types of hunting dogs. Red willows line the banks of the river
with occasional gaps. They are not too dense or wide
but provide good protection for the pheasants from
birds of prey.
Next there is a strip of high prairie
grasses from 50 to 300 yards wide that will provide
more good cover for the birds and excellent opportunity
for dog work and clear lines of sight for safe
shooting. The high grasses run into sections of thick,
thorny little trees that will be challenging for the
dogs and shooters. The birds will run like crazy in
this thick brush and then will flush at the gaps. Definitely
exciting bird hunting!
Then there is a little open grassland coming
to the base of the bluffs and coulees that look down
on the river valley. All along these hillsides are a
series of natural springs that provide more cover and
water for the birds. These springs are also, usually
part of the steep coulees that will generate some challenging
shooting opportunities for the more athletically
inclined bird and pheasant hunters.
As you stand on the bluffs above the river valley and look down, you can imagine the presence of a proud Blackfoot warrior - and share in his sense of awe and excitement at the hunt. The view is breath taking, yet peaceful. Looking down, you know there are pheasants and upland game birds to be found!
