Some of the largest white-tailed deer in the world live in the western Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The deer grow big here thanks to the minerals in the province’s fertile soil, the abundant habitat, and superior genetics. Saskatchewan is considered a mecca for white-tailed deer hunting. The record typical whitetail from Saskatchewan scored 214 4/8 B&C points, while the non-typical record stands at 265 3/8. These deer are also some of the largest whitetails in the world in terms of body size. Good numbers of black bears also roam the province, and they can be hunted in both spring and fall. Plenty of moose are found in the boreal forests, rounding out Saskatchewan’s exceptional big-game hunting opportunities. Covering 251,700 square miles consisting mainly of prairie grassland in the south and boreal forest in the north, the province of Saskatchewan has an estimated 100,000 lakes as well as many streams and rivers, many of them providing exceptional fishing. Saskatchewan is also known for its severe winters, with temperatures plunging to 40 below zero during the coldest periods. Deer hunting in Saskatchewan, which is typically conducted from stands, is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards can be tremendous. Non-residents of Canada hunting on provincial Crown lands or private lands must use the services of a licensed outfitter. Outfitters have allocations for white-tailed deer, moose, and bears in certain wildlife management units. If hunting on First Nation reserve lands, non-residents must have permission from the First Nation Chief and Council, whether or not they are hunting with an outfitter. Canadian residents residing outside of Saskatchewan are only required to hire a guide for moose hunting. The Saskatchewan Outfitter Association is a good place to find information on hunting in Saskatchewan and a list of accredited outfitters: www.soa.ca. Saskatchewan also has exceptional hunting for upland birds and waterfowl. Upland game birds include Hungarian partridge, ptarmigan, sharp-tailed, ruffed, and spruce grouse. Waterfowl species include large flocks of geese, sandhill cranes, and many species of ducks. For additional information on hunting in Saskatchewan, see the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment website: www.saskatchewan.ca/hunting.