Saskatchewan Whitetail Hunts — The Dunhams High Caliber Ranch Experience
HCR is one of the few private game Ranches in Canada. The ranch lays beside the beautiful Saskatchewan river valley. The river valley itself is a mix of pine and poplar forest, hidden among deep valleys and grassy plateaus. Rob and Josh Dunham run the ranch personally. Rob Dunham, an internationally recognized television host, producer, professional hunter, guide, and outfitter.
Only 55 hunts are offered per year. That number isn’t a sales tactic; it’s the foundation of quality. By keeping pressure low and access controlled, deer behavior stays natural and daylight movement remains predictable. The result is a rare blend of premium lodge hospitality and serious, professionally executed hunting—a concierge experience where the plan is explained, the details are handled, and you feel the difference in the first hour you’re on the ground.
The ranch is set along the North Saskatchewan River corridor near Lloydminster—quintessential northern deer country with moderate rolling hills, timbered draws, edge cover, and cutlines that filter deer through well‑chosen stands and blinds. Every access route is considered. Every sit is intentional. If the wind shifts, the plan shifts. If weather hardens, the food pattern gets stronger and the setup adjusts. You aren’t guessing with Dunhams; you’re executing.
From arrival to departure, the week moves with a quiet confidence. Check‑in is 11:00 a.m. at the lodge; you’ll have lunch, confirm zero, and go straight into a half‑day hunt on day one. Full hunting days begin with a simple breakfast, followed by a ~50 km drive to the ranch, a regroup at the field tent for lunch, and a return to the lodge after legal light. Evenings bring hearty meals, beer and wine in moderation, and straightforward next‑day briefings around the fire. If you’re still hunting on your final day, the morning is used to make the right adjustments. It’s efficient, unhurried, and centered on one goal: putting you in clean shot windows on mature, northern bucks.
When the 55 annual spots are gone, they’re gone until next season. If you’re serious about hunting with Rob and his team, the decision is simple: reserve now and lock in your week.
The Most Exclusive Whitetail Hunt in Canada
While most outfitters promise you everything, Dunhams Guarantee your hunt 100%. Dunhams Offer you a No Kill no Pay Policy. Being in the hunting business for over 40 years while designing and developing whitetail hunting properties and breeding programs, Dunhams trophy genetics are among the best in Canada. The combination of age, feed, and genetics Dunhams consistently produce Norther Saskatchewan giant whitetail that many of our customers dream about.
The Dunham family have built and designed each hunting property. Dunhams know whitetail’s. Rob has been recognized in North American Whitetail as a “pioneer in Whitetail deer outfitting in Canada.”
Joshua and many of the Guides who have been with HCR know the Ranch inside and out. The experience of the staff at HCR helps to assure the success and hunt of a lifetime.
Exclusivity here is not elitism; it’s discipline. By limiting whitetail hunts to 55 per year, Dunhams preserves patterns, reduces human noise, and keeps those crucial travel corridors productive day after day. This is private ranchland, not public guesswork—and it shows. When your guide whispers “be ready,” it’s because the plan is solid. When you pass a younger buck, it’s because the ground can produce something older. When you climb down in the dark, you’ll already understand the plan for first light.
You’ll feel the difference at the lodge, too. Arrival at 11:00 a.m. gives the crew time to stage a clean turnover and welcome you properly. You’ll sight‑in and hunt a half day the moment you arrive because momentum matters; seeing country early frames the week and often creates a pattern you can capitalize on later. Evenings are professional but warm: good food, a quiet drink, and a candid conversation about what the wind forecast and deer behavior suggest for tomorrow. There’s no loud chaos, no uncertain “we’ll see.” There’s a plan—and a backup.
The point is simple: hunts at Dunhams sell out every year, and many returning hunters book a year in advance because the system works. If you want in on a program that treats your time like it matters—reserve your place and put your name on the schedule.
Three Private Areas
HCR has one of the largest private managed deer hunting properties in Canada. Presently leasing a second property which has produced great trophies over the last few seasons with proper breeding and feeding programs.
With change in Alberta legislation Dunhams are developing what will prove to be one of Canada’s premier whitetail ranches. Rob and Josh are working on a backyard buck paradise right out the lodges front door.
Over Two Carefully Managed Properties
These two amazing, pieces of ground, managed with the same philosophy: low pressure, deliberate access, protected travel routes, and a setup rotation keyed to wind, timing, and sign. Together, they give Dunhams the flexibility to adapt while keeping mature deer comfortable.
Terrain & Structure (What You’ll Hunt)
- Timbered Ridges & Bedding Cover: Thick, quiet cover where heavy-bodied bucks spend most of the day. These zones are approached carefully; sits are chosen to intersect travel without teaching deer about people.
- River/Creek Influence & Edge:s Where water, cover, and feed meet, daylight movement follows. These natural funnels let the team capitalize on rut corridors and evening transitions.
- Meadows, Edges & Cutlines: Classic Saskatchewan ambush sites. With limited hunter numbers and tight access control, bucks keep using these edges naturally, especially during the pre-rut/rut and late-season cold.
How the Team Uses the Ground
- Pressure is rationed. Sites are rested; approaches are rotated.
- Wind dictates sits. If wind changes, the plan changes.
- Wind dictates sits. If wind changes, the plan changes.
When a program is run this way, the results show up in the viewfinder: mature Saskatchewan whitetails in the ~160–300-inch class, broad-chested and heavy-horned, stepping into honest shot windows because they haven’t been educated.
Lodge Experience
You hunt better when you recover better. Dunhams’ lodge is built for both.
- Private/semi-private rooms: quiet rest so you’re sharp in the morning.
- Big dining room: the nightly hub for meals and planning.
- Fireplace commons: space for laughter, stories, or quiet reset.
- Gear zones: dry layers, organized packs, clean rifles/bows—no clutter.
The difference is the people: cooks and hospitality staff with 15+ years on the team. That consistency is why hunters say dinner “tastes like tradition.” Everything runs on time; rooms are turned; the coffee’s ready when it should be.
Dining & Hospitality
- Early: coffee, fruit, bread, and a hot bite—get to the first sit warm and focused.
- Midday: hot field-tent lunch at the property—warm up, review sign, reset the plan.
- Evening: hearty lodge dinners with beer/wine in moderation, then a clear, calm briefing with Rob, Josh, and the guides.
It’s professional without pretense—the same team, the same standard, season after season.
Why Hunters Choose Dunhams
The answer is simple, 40 years of success. For over 30 years Dunhams have been guaranteeing dream hunts. Dunhams are fortunate enough to operate in Saskatchewan. The name Saskatchewan is synonymous with giant whitetail, big bodies and massive antlers. Put all of that together with a beautiful lodging and experienced guides Dunhams deliver a world class Hunt.
- Two carefully managed private properties — Our management goal is to produce big bodied northern Whitetails. We shoot 4-5 year old deer that have mass and are mature. These are real Sask Whitetail.
- World-class trophies — Saskatchewan’s genetics and habitat produce bucks in the ~160–300 inch range. No outfitter can promise a score, but this class of deer is what hunters encounter here.
- Family leadership — hunts are led by Rob Dunham and his son Josh, combining decades of experience with next-generation energy.
- Guide continuity — hunters are guided by professionals who have worked with the Dunhams for 20+ years, reading deer movement on these exact properties season after season.
- Hospitality continuity — meals and lodge service are run by cooks and staff who have been with the family for 15+ years, delivering the same reliable comfort every season.
Preparing for Your Hunt
Preparation sets the tone for success. Once booked, Dunhams sends every hunter a pre-trip packet with travel details, firearm import forms (for U.S. guests), and suggested gear lists.
Fitness: Whitetail hunting here is not extreme, but you’ll benefit from the ability to sit still for long periods and walk short distances quietly. Warm, comfortable clothing makes endurance easier.
Clothing: Saskatchewan weather shifts quickly in late fall. Bring a layered system:
- Base layer: moisture-wicking to keep sweat off skin.
- Mid layer: wool or fleece for warmth.
- Outer shell: windproof, quiet, water-resistant.
Extras: hand warmers, insulated boots, multiple pairs of gloves and socks.
Gear:
- Binoculars for scanning edges and cutlines.
- A reliable rifle with quality optics, or a bow if booked as an archery hunt.
- Rangefinder (especially for archery).
- A warm beanie, neck gaiter, and insulated seat cushion for cold sits.
Mindset: Patience is essential. Saskatchewan whitetail hunts involve long sits punctuated by electrifying moments. When a 280-inch buck steps out of the timber, you’ll be glad you prepared for the wait.
Travel & Arrival Logistics
Travel is straightforward but structured.
- Fly to: Edmonton, AB or Saskatoon, SK (both ~2.5 hours from lodge).
- Drive: Rent a vehicle for independence.
- Arrival day: Check-in at 11:00 a.m., lunch, confirm zero at the range, then head straight out for a half-day hunt.
- Hunt days: Breakfast → morning sit → hot lunch at the field tent → afternoon sit until legal light → return to lodge for dinner & next-day briefing.
- Final day: Morning hunt if needed; checkout at 11:00 a.m.
- Alcohol: Beer and wine included in moderation; spirits available locally in Lloydminster.
Trophy Care, Export & Meat Handling
From the moment your buck is down, trophy care is handled with precision:
- Caping & freezing of hides for taxidermy (included).
- Export coordination for antlers/capes (exporters cannot ship meat).
- Deboning & meat prep ($250) for hunters flying home with coolers of prime venison cuts.
Guides and staff label, package, and manage paperwork so hunters focus on the experience, not logistics.
Gear & Weather Notes
Guides and staff label, package, and manage paperwork so hunters focus on the experience, not logistics.
- Base: moisture-wicking long underwear.
- Mid: fleece or wool.
- Shell: insulated, windproof outerwear.
- Boots: waterproof, broken-in, insulated.
- Accessories: gloves (multiple pairs), beanie, balaclava, hand/boot warmers.
- Optics: binoculars, rangefinder for archers.
- Safety: harness if using elevated stands.
Hunters who are warm, dry, and comfortable hunt longer—and longer hunts produce more encounters.
What’s Included
Every whitetail hunt at Dunhams includes:
- Guided hunting on two carefully managed private properties.
- 2 nights / 3 days of lodging and meals.
- Arrival-day sight-in & half-day hunt.
- Veteran guides (20+ years with the family).
- Trophy caping & freezing.
- Export coordination for antlers/capes.
- Optional deboning & meat prep service ($250).
- Evening planning with Rob & Josh.
- Beer/wine in moderation.
Travel & Arrival Logistics (At a Glance)
- Fly to: Edmonton, AB or Saskatoon, SK (~2.5 hours from the lodge).
- Drive: Rent a vehicle for schedule control and easy departure.
- Check in: 11:00 a.m. on arrival day (we run back to back hunts—this timing matters).
- Day 1: Lunch → sight in → half day hunt.
- Hunt days: Breakfast → ~50 km drive → hunt → lunch at field tent → hunt through legal light → dinner & briefing.
- Final day: Morning hunt if needed; otherwise 11:00 a.m. check out.
Trophy Care, Export & Meat Handling
From the moment an animal is recovered, trophy care is handled with precision. Your guide will cape and freeze the hide at no charge so it’s preserved correctly for your taxidermist. We can clean skulls for border compliance as needed. For clients flying home, we recommend using our exporter for antlers and capes (note: exporters cannot ship meat). If you’d like to bring meat home, we offer a $250 deboning and prime‑cuts service designed specifically to make air travel simple with coolers. Because local processors can be limited during peak times, the in‑camp deboning option is a favorite for flyers.
Expect clear labeling, smart packaging, and direct guidance on paperwork and transport. You won’t be left guessing. The goal is simple: you should be able to focus on the experience, knowing your trophy and meat are being handled the right way.
Gear & Weather Notes
Saskatchewan can deliver four seasons in a week. The right system keeps you still and alert
- Base: moisture wicking to manage sweat.
- Mid: insulating wool or high loft fleece you can add/remove easily.
- Shell: wind resistant and quiet for long sits.
- Hands/Feet: quality gloves, warm socks, and pocket/boot warmers.
- Optics: binoculars for everyone; rangefinder for archers.
If you forget something, don’t panic—we keep spares of common items, and Lloydminster is close for last‑minute purchases
What’s Included
- Guided hunting across three private ranch areas (~6,000 acres)
- 2 nights / 3 days in the lodge with gourmet meals
- Veteran guides with decades of proven results
- Trophy caping & freezing (included)
- Exporter services for antlers/capes (recommended for flyers)
- Optional deboning & prime cuts prep ($250) for easy travel with meat
- Evening planning around the fire with Rob Dunham
- Beer/wine in moderation; spirits available in Lloydminster
What a Day Feels Like
Every whitetail hunt has its rhythm, but at Dunhams the rhythm feels different. It’s professional, deliberate, and unforgettable
Pre-dawn: The lodge is quiet, just the sound of boots on wood floors and coffee pouring into mugs. Hunters gather their gear. The air outside is sharp, your breath visible in the cold. Trucks are loaded, and headlights cut through the darkness for the 50 km drive to the property.
The setup: Stands and blinds are placed to intersect travel corridors. Guides—men who have hunted this ground for over 20 years—walk you in quietly, making sure wind and access are right. You settle in. The woods are still.
First light: The horizon shifts from black to gray to pale blue. Frost sparkles on cutlines. Then it happens—the heavy crunch of hooves in snow. A buck steps out. Not just any buck, but a mature Saskatchewan whitetail, heavy-bodied, wide-racked, everything you came here to see. He could be 180, 200, maybe more. Hunters here routinely see bucks in the 160–300 inch class. Steam rolls from his nostrils as he surveys the opening. Time slows. You steady your rifle or bow, heart pounding.
Midday: At the field tent, lunch is hot. Hunters regroup, share what they saw, and guides adjust afternoon strategies. If wind has shifted, you move. If a buck showed at one stand in the morning, the plan adapts. Flexibility is built into the system.
Evening: Legal light fades as deer move from cover to feed. The cold bites harder now. You stay longer than you might at home because here, patience is rewarded. When you climb down in the dark, the day feels full—whether you released an arrow, pulled a trigger, or simply watched a giant melt back into the timber.
Back at the lodge: A fire burns. Dinner is served by the same cooks who have been with the family for 15+ years. The meal is hearty, familiar, and perfect after a long sit. Around the table, Rob and Josh Dunham sit with hunters, reviewing the day. Guides add insights. Tomorrow’s plan is explained clearly. You go to bed not with questions, but with confidence.
That’s what a day feels like at Dunhams: structured, deliberate, and alive with the possibility of encountering a buck that will rewrite your personal record book.
Beyond Canada: Africa with Dunhams
Many hunters who experience Saskatchewan whitetails with Dunhams choose to continue with Dangerous Game Inc. (DGI) in Africa.
Through concessions in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cameroon, hunters can pursue plains game like kudu and gemsbok, or dangerous game such as elephant, buffalo, and lion. Camps range from luxury tented suites in Limpopo to fly camps in Botswana’s Chobe region.
The professionalism is the same: licensed PHs, trackers, skinners, and full trophy care with export systems that meet international standards. For hunters who begin their journey in Saskatchewan, Africa is a natural next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Limited numbers of trophy hunts each year . Once booked, no additional hunters are accepted until the following season.
Hunters routinely encounter bucks in the 160–300 inch class, heavy-bodied northern whitetails unique to Saskatchewan.
Hunts are guided by Rob and Josh Dunham, supported by guides who have worked with the family for 20+ years.
Approximately 50 km each way. The drive is part of the daily rhythm, allowing time to review wind and strategy.
Arrive at the lodge at 11:00 a.m. on Day 1. Lunch is served, rifles are confirmed at the range, and hunters head out for a half-day sit.
Hunters stay at a premium lodge with private/semi-private rooms, large dining space, fireplaces, and gear prep areas. The same cooks and staff (15+ years) provide consistent service.
Breakfasts before dawn, hot lunches at a field tent near the property, and multi-course lodge dinners with beer and wine in moderation.
Beer and wine are included with dinner. Spirits are available locally in Lloydminster.
Great—archers are set up in high‑odds travel windows with known shot lanes. Bring a rangefinder, and we’ll brief you on angles and timing.
Guides cape and freeze hides for taxidermy. Exporters handle antlers/capes (note: exporters cannot ship meat). Optional $250 deboning service prepares venison cuts for air travel in coolers.
Yes. The pre-trip packet includes firearm import forms and instructions. Hunters are reminded not to sign until arrival at customs.
Yes, companions are welcome for an additional fee, arranged in advance.
Quality binoculars, layered clothing for cold sits, insulated boots, gloves, a rangefinder for archers, and a rifle you know and trust.
Because of continuity: two carefully managed private properties, 55 hunts per year, trophy-class bucks, Rob & Josh Dunham leading, guides with 20+ years, and cooks/staff with 15+ years.
Ready to Plan Your Hunt?
This is your chance to experience Saskatchewan whitetails the way they should be hunted: on two private, carefully managed properties, limited hunts per year, led by Rob and Josh Dunham, supported by guides who have hunted here for 20+ years and cooks/staff who have been here for 15+ years.
Deer here are different. They are big-bodied northern whitetails with mass in the 160–300 inch class. Hunts are structured, professional, and authentic.
“The deer were bigger than I imagined. My guide, who has hunted with the Dunhams for over 20 years, knew exactly how to set me up. I saw three bucks in one day that would top my personal best anywhere else.”