Saskatchewan Elk Hunts — The Dunhams High Caliber Ranch Experience
Some hunts you talk about for a season. Others you talk about for a lifetime. And then there are a rare few that define your story as a hunter. A Saskatchewan elk hunt with Dunhams High Caliber Ranch is one of those hunts.
This is not just another outfitter competing for attention. This is Canada’s largest private hunting ranch, a property of over 6,000 acres where elk have room to thrive, genetics are nurtured, and hunting pressure is kept to an absolute minimum. It is a program built for hunters who demand more than chance encounters. It is designed for those who want structure, professionalism, and a level of clarity that takes away guesswork and replaces it with confidence.
At the heart of it all is the Dunham family. Rob Dunham, internationally recognized professional hunter, guide, and television host, has spent his career delivering world-class hunting experiences on camera and off. He understands the value of preparation, timing, and professionalism. Alongside him is his son, Josh Dunham, a hunter and guide raised in the tradition and now carrying the family operation into its next generation. Together, Rob and Josh represent something rare in modern outfitting: continuity, tradition, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way.
When you book an elk hunt with Dunhams, you are not stepping into a random program with rotating staff. You are stepping into a system that has been refined over decades and supported by the same people, season after season. Guides who have hunted this land with the Dunhams for over 20 years know every ridge, every cutline, and every prevailing wind. They know how bulls behave when a cold front hits, when they shift bedding areas, or when cows start to cycle during the rut. Cooks and lodge staff who have been with the family for 15+ years ensure that the hospitality side of your experience is as consistent as the hunting. When you walk through the door after a long day in the field, you are met with familiar faces, reliable service, and the comfort of tradition.
And the animals themselves? These are not average elk. These are big-bodied northern bulls, often weighing 700 to 900 pounds, carrying antlers that reflect both genetics and management. It is not unusual for hunters to pause when they first see a mature bull here—not because they are new to elk, but because the scale of these animals exceeds expectations. The size of the ranch, the quality of the habitat, and the careful stewardship all combine to let elk reach their true potential.
The Most Exclusive Elk Hunt in Canada
Outfitters across Canada market themselves with the same promise: “the hunt of a lifetime.” Dunhams doesn’t need to rely on slogans. They prove it through a system built on exclusivity, professionalism, and family leadership.
Every hunt here has structure.
- Access routes are chosen to keep pressure low and elk unaware. Hunters are never simply “sent out.” Every drive, walk, and stalk is planned around wind direction, noise control, and proven travel patterns.
- Calling setups are placed based on years of bugle data and elk behavior in each specific area of the ranch. A location that produced bulls last September will still produce this year—because it has been protected and managed.
- Daily strategies are explained clearly each night at the lodge. Rob and Josh sit with hunters, reviewing the day’s encounters, interpreting the behavior, and laying out a plan for tomorrow. Nothing is left to chance.
This clarity matters. When you are sitting in the dark timber and a bull bugles 200 yards away, you don’t wonder if you are in the right place. You know you are. You know the setup was chosen for a reason. You know the plan is built on two decades of experience. And that knowledge gives you confidence when it counts.
Exclusivity is what makes it possible. The Dunhams do not stack their calendar with unlimited hunters. They limit their elk hunts each year to protect quality. Once the spots are filled, the book is closed. No last-minute add-ons. No exceptions. That discipline is why bulls continue bugling through daylight hours, why travel corridors stay productive, and why hunters return year after year.
Evenings reinforce the professionalism. When you come back from the hunt, you are greeted by the same staff who have been here for years. Meals prepared by cooks with 15+ years at the lodge are hearty, consistent, and tailored to hunters who need energy and recovery. Drinks are offered in moderation. Around the table, hunters share stories, guides add perspective, and Rob and Josh lead a candid discussion of what worked, what needs to adjust, and how tomorrow’s plan will unfold.
The effect is subtle but powerful. Instead of “we’ll see what happens,” you go to bed with clarity. You know where you’re headed at dawn, why you’re headed there, and how you’ll approach it. That structure changes everything. It makes you calmer, more prepared, and ready to perform when the moment arrives.
And when that moment arrives—when a 850-lb Saskatchewan bull steps out of the timber and bugles with steam rolling from his nostrils—you’ll understand why this isn’t just another outfitter. This is the most exclusive elk hunt in Canada.
Over 6,000 Acres of Prime Elk Habitat — Canada’s Largest Private Hunting Ranch
When you hear “over 6,000 acres,” it’s easy to think of just a number. But at Dunhams High Caliber Ranch, that number represents something more: Canada’s largest private hunting ranch, an expanse of land carefully shaped for elk to thrive.
This ranch is divided into three private hunting areas, each with its own character and strengths. Together, they provide a balance of terrain that keeps hunts dynamic while still offering predictability:
- Timbered ridges and valleys create natural bedding cover and bugling grounds. Bulls use these areas to rest, check cows, and vocalize during dawn and dusk.
- North Saskatchewan River corridors serve as lifelines. Elk move along them throughout the day, especially during the rut. When a bull bugles across a valley here, the sound doesn’t just carry—it resonates in your chest.
- Meadows and cutlines become high-odds ambush sites. These edges, where timber meets open feed, see steady traffic during the rut and heavy usage when cold snaps push elk to feed early.
The key is management. This isn’t land left alone. It’s land cared for all year. Food plots are maintained, cover is protected, and cameras monitor elk behavior across seasons. That information guides strategies so that hunters are positioned in places with a history of success.
And then there’s knowledge—the kind that can’t be bought or rushed. Guides who have been with the Dunhams for over 20 years know how weather fronts change elk travel, which ridges funnel movement when cows come into heat, and how to shift strategies without tipping elk off. Their decades of familiarity mean you don’t waste time “figuring it out.” You’re executing proven approaches.
The result? Consistency. Year after year, hunters at Dunhams encounter mature bulls in the 700–900 lb class, animals that represent the top end of what Canadian elk can be. It’s the size of the land, the scale of the operation, and the continuity of the people that make it possible.
Premium Lodge Experience
Chasing elk requires stamina. You’ll hike, you’ll sit, you’ll move when bugles call. That effort demands recovery, and Dunhams’ lodge is designed with that in mind.
When you step back into camp after a long day, you aren’t entering a sterile hotel or a makeshift camp. You’re walking into a lodge that feels built for hunters, by hunters
- Private and shared rooms ensure rest and privacy. You wake refreshed, not cramped.
- The dining hall is spacious, comfortable, and serves as the hub for meals and nightly strategy sessions.
- Common spaces with fireplaces invite conversation, laughter, or quiet reflection.
- Dedicated gear areas allow hunters to dry clothing, prep rifles and bows, and organize for the next day without clutter or stress.
What makes this lodge special isn’t just the amenities—it’s the people who run it. The cooks and staff have been with the Dunhams for 15+ years. That kind of continuity is rare in outfitting, and it shows. Meals arrive on time, hot and hearty. Rooms are prepared with the same care every season. Details aren’t missed because they’re second nature.
Hunters often say the lodge feels more like a tradition than a facility. The same staff greet you year after year, the same smells of hearty meals drift from the kitchen, and the same laughter echoes by the fire. That reliability provides comfort and frees your mind to focus on the hunt.
Dining & Hospitality
Food is fuel, but at Dunhams it’s also part of the experience. Every meal is designed not only to sustain but to create memories.
- Early mornings begin with straightforward breakfasts: steaming coffee, fresh bread, fruit, and hot bites to carry you into the first hunt of the day.
- Midday meals are served in the field tent. They’re hot, filling, and exactly what you need after hours in the cold. These meals aren’t rushed—they’re part of the rhythm, giving hunters time to regroup and guides time to adjust strategy.
- Evening dinners are the highlight. Back at the lodge, you’ll sit down to multi-course meals that often include game harvested during the season. Plates are full, flavors are bold, and glasses are filled with wine or beer (spirits are available locally).
But the food is only half the story. The other half is the people preparing it. When your cooks have been with the family for over 15 years, meals become more than just service—they become part of the identity of the ranch. Hunters talk as much about the consistency of the food as they do about the bulls they saw.
Evenings around the dining table are when hunts are debriefed and friendships formed. Rob and Josh Dunham sit down with hunters to review the day’s events. Guides add their insights. Tomorrow’s plan is explained in plain terms. There’s no mystery, no “wait and see.” Everyone goes to bed clear on the strategy.
Hospitality at Dunhams isn’t about flash. It’s about reliability, tradition, and the sense that you’re not just a client—you’re part of a program that has been running at a high standard for decades.
Why Hunters Choose Dunhams
There are many outfitters offering elk hunts across Canada, but none deliver the consistency, scale, and heritage that Dunhams does. Hunters choose this program not just for what it offers, but for what it represents
- Canada’s Largest Private Ranch: Over 6,000 acres of exclusive elk habitat. This isn’t leased ground or a patchwork of permissions—it’s one continuous property managed for decades. The scale itself changes the game.
- Mature Bulls of Exceptional Size: These are big-bodied northern elk, often 700–900 pounds with beams heavy and tall enough to challenge seasoned hunters. Genetics, nutrition, and low pressure combine to let bulls reach their potential.
- Generational Leadership: Rob and Josh Dunham work together in the field. Rob brings decades of experience, Josh brings energy and next-generation perspective. Hunters see the value in being guided by a family with both legacy and future.
- Veteran Guides: Guides who have worked with the Dunhams for 20+ years know every corner of this ranch. Their continuity means proven strategies, not guesswork.
- Hospitality Staff with 15+ Years of Service: Meals, housekeeping, and lodge culture are consistent because the people behind them have been here for over a decade and a half. Hunters return to familiar faces and consistent quality.
- Exclusivity by Design: Hunts are limited. Once filled, the season closes. This protects the herd and guarantees that hunters encounter elk behaving naturally.
For serious hunters who want structure, clarity, and results, Dunhams is the clear choice.
Preparing for Your Elk Hunt
Success begins long before the first bugle. Preparation ensures that when opportunity comes, you’re ready.
- Fitness: Elk hunting isn’t just sitting and waiting. You’ll walk, stalk, and sometimes climb ridges to intercept bugles. You don’t need to be an athlete, but light conditioning in the weeks before your hunt—walking, stair climbs, or weighted hikes—pays off in the field.
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Clothing: Saskatchewan’s fall weather can change dramatically. Mornings may be frosty, afternoons mild, evenings chilly. A layered system is essential:
- Base layer: moisture-wicking.
- Mid layer: wool or fleece for insulation.
- Shell: quiet, windproof, water-resistant outerwear.
- Gear: Bring the gear you trust. Binoculars are mandatory. Archers should pack a rangefinder. Rifle hunters should bring a reliable, well-zeroed rifle they know well. Broken-in boots, quality gloves, and a warm beanie are essentials. Pocket warmers can turn long sits into productive ones.
- Mindset: Elk hunts require patience punctuated by urgency. Hours may pass in silence, then everything happens at once. Being mentally ready for those spikes of adrenaline is as important as physical preparation.
Once booked, Dunhams provides a pre-trip packet with travel details, firearm import forms (for U.S. hunters), and packing lists. Everything is designed to reduce uncertainty so you can focus on the hunt
Travel & Arrival Logistics
Travel here is straightforward, but structured.
- Fly to: Edmonton, AB or Saskatoon, SK (both ~2.5 hours from lodge).
- Drive: Rent a vehicle for flexibility. The drive becomes part of the rhythm, time to focus and review strategy.
- Arrival Day: Check in at 11:00 a.m. You’ll eat lunch, confirm zero at the range, and head out for a half-day hunt that afternoon.
- Hunt Days: Breakfast → ~50 km drive → morning hunt → hot lunch in field tent → afternoon hunt until legal light → return for dinner and briefing.
- Final Day: Morning hunt if needed; checkout at 11:00 a.m.
- Alcohol: Beer/wine in moderation are included; spirits are available locally in Lloydminster.
From touchdown to departure, the Dunhams’ system is clear and predictable
Trophy Care, Export & Meat Handling
From touchdown to departure, the Dunhams’ system is clear and predictable
- Caping & Freezing: Included with every hunt to preserve hides for taxidermy.
- Export Coordination: Trusted partners handle antlers and capes. Exporters cannot ship meat, but the Dunhams guide you through the process.
- Deboning Service ($250): Optional service to prepare prime cuts for air travel. Meat is deboned, packaged, and ready for coolers.
Paperwork and labeling are handled for you. Hunters focus on the experience while the staff ensures trophies and meat are protected and compliant with travel requirements.
Gear & Weather Notes
Saskatchewan can deliver four seasons in a single hunt. Hunters must pack for range.
- Base: Moisture-wicking long underwear.
- Mid: Wool sweaters or fleece jackets.
- Shell: Quiet, windproof jacket and pants.
- Boots: Waterproof, insulated, broken-in.
- Hands/Head: Multiple pairs of gloves, warm hat, neck gaiter.
- Optics: Binoculars for everyone, rangefinder for archers.
- Safety: Harness for elevated setups if needed.
Small details matter. A second set of gloves, extra socks, or chemical hand warmers can mean the difference between calling it early and staying long enough to meet your bull.
What’s Included
Every hunt at Dunhams includes:
- Guided elk hunting on over 6,000 acres—Canada’s largest private ranch.
- 2 nights / 3 days of lodging and meals.
- Arrival-day sight-in & immediate half-day hunt.
- Veteran guides with 20+ years on this land.
- Trophy caping & freezing.
- Export coordination for antlers/capes.
- Optional deboning service ($250).
- Evening planning with Rob & Josh Dunham.
- Beer and wine in moderation
This transparency is part of the system. No surprises—just clarity.
What a Day Feels Like
Elk hunting at Dunhams isn’t a highlight reel. It’s an experience with rhythm, quiet moments, and electrifying surges. Here’s what a day feels like.
- Pre-dawn: The lodge is quiet. A soft knock on the door signals it’s time. Coffee brews, boots slide on, rifles are checked. Outside, breath curls in the frosty air. Stars shine overhead as the truck door closes with a muffled thud.
- The drive: The 50 km ride to the ranch is calm. The guide reviews the wind, the plan, and the setup. This isn’t idle chatter—it’s clarity. By the time tires crunch onto the property, you know where you’re headed and why.
- First light: The forest stirs. Then, a sound cuts through the cold—a bugle, deep and guttural, rolling across a valley. Adrenaline hits. The guide signals. Steps are measured. Another bugle answers. The world compresses into silence, frost, and anticipation.
- The encounter: He appears in the gap between spruces. A bull elk, massive and dark-maned, beams wide and tall. Seven, maybe eight hundred pounds of northern elk muscle. Steam rises with his breath as he bugles again. It’s not just a call—it’s a challenge. You steady, heart pounding, and everything slows. The preparation, the planning, the patience—it all lands in this instant.
- Evening: Back at the lodge, the fire crackles. A hot meal is served by staff who have done so for over 15 years. Rob and Josh join the table, discussing the day’s events, reviewing tomorrow’s plan. The room feels warm with camaraderie. Outside, the Saskatchewan night is still, but bugles linger in memory.
This is what a day feels like: quiet confidence, raw intensity, and moments that leave you changed.
Beyond Canada: Africa with Dunhams
“The lodge meals were incredible. The cooks have been with the family for over 15 years, and it shows. Consistency like that is rare in outfitting.”
After chasing bulls in Saskatchewan, hunters often continue with Dangerous Game Inc. (DGI) in Africa. From the Limpopo concessions in South Africa to the wilderness of Zimbabwe and the river valleys of Zambia, DGI offers safaris for plains and dangerous game—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard—with the same professionalism and clarity as Canada.
Packages range from $50,000 to $150,000+, depending on species and country. But the ethos is the same: ethical hunting, professional guiding, and world-class trophy care.
If Canada is your introduction to Dunhams, Africa may be your next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fly into Edmonton, AB or Saskatoon, SK. Both are ~2.5 hours from the lodge by rental vehicle.
Check-in is 11:00 a.m. You’ll eat lunch, confirm zero at the range, and head out for a half-day hunt that same afternoon.
Hunts are strictly limited. Once the calendar fills, the book closes until the next season.
Prime rut weeks (September–October) are the most popular and sell out a year in advance. Late-season hunts offer different opportunities as bulls move on food.
Mature bulls commonly weigh 700–900 pounds with antlers that reflect Saskatchewan’s genetics and management.
Yes. Archery hunts are offered, especially effective during the rut when bulls respond aggressively to calling.
Guiding on 6,000+ acres, lodging, meals, trophy caping & freezing, export coordination for antlers/capes, optional deboning service ($250), beer/wine in moderation.
≈50 km daily. The drive is part of the rhythm, giving time to review wind, setups, and plans.
Beer and wine are included in moderation. Spirits can be purchased locally in Lloydminster.
Yes. Companions are welcome for an additional fee, arranged in advance, subject to lodge capacity.
Yes. Staff cape and freeze hides, exporters handle antlers/capes, and optional deboning is offered for meat.
A reliable, well-zeroed rifle you know well. Confidence in your system matters more than caliber, though many hunters use .300 class rifles.
Scale (Canada’s largest private ranch), continuity (guides 20+ years, staff 15+ years), and leadership (Rob & Josh) create consistency no other outfitter can match.
Ready to Plan Your Hunt?
This is your invitation to hunt Canada’s largest private ranch—over 6,000 acres of managed elk habitat. To pursue bulls weighing 700–900 pounds, guided by Rob & Josh Dunham, supported by guides who have worked with this land for 20+ years and cooks and staff with 15+ years of service.
It’s not just an elk hunt. It’s a tradition built on clarity, consistency, and authenticity. Only a limited number of elk hunts are available each season. Once they’re booked, they’re gone.
“Massive bulls and guides who know this land inside out. My guide had been with the Dunhams for 20+ years, and his knowledge put me right where I needed to be.”