Re: New hunter in region 2
Welcome.
Firstly, a firearms ban will not hamper your ability to obtain a hunting license, it will however hamper your success rate. But don't let that deter you. I would recommend venturing further out into regions 3 or 8 to increase your chances though, as there are more deer, and more species to possibly connect on. And kudos for getting your son involved. Good luck!
Re: New hunter in region 2
I Don't mean to sound discouraging but, the idea of bow hunting for blacktail in R2 for an inexperienced hunter will be an exercise in futility, BT's are hard enough to hunt even with a rifle and a wealth of experience, so it'll be a tough slog, as WB rightly points out, a slightly longer drive will drastically improve your odds. Good Luck, happy hunting, and welcome to the fraternity.
Re: New hunter in region 2
WB, thanks for the reply and peace of mind regarding obtaining a license. I'm certainly aware that using a bow significantly decreases success rates but I'm also one of those weirdos that likes a challenge and feels better about something when I worked for it. Was considering region 8 as well considering it's relatively close and there are moose tags to be filled out there. Any input as to whether or not black tails are a good starting point or if there is a better way to gain some experience when just getting started?
Tuner, thanks for your input, nothing wrong with being realistic. Wasn't planning on spot & stalk black tail hunting but rather scouting via trail cams and setting up a ground blind, definitely open to other suggestions though as my main priority is filling the freezer with protein of any kind.
Re: New hunter in region 2
Truth be told, it will be challenging regardless, the first of it being proficient with your bow. That in itself is a challenge. Region 2 Blacktails can be very tough to find, let alone harvest, and if you're attempting to encourage your son, it's best to find a grouse or rabbit that you can at least bring home, and even those are not very abundant in Region 2. Who know's though. There's always beginner luck wherever you do decided to draw your string. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
45freezer
WB, thanks for the reply and peace of mind regarding obtaining a license. I'm certainly aware that using a bow significantly decreases success rates but I'm also one of those weirdos that likes a challenge and feels better about something when I worked for it. Was considering region 8 as well considering it's relatively close and there are moose tags to be filled out there. Any input as to whether or not black tails are a good starting point or if there is a better way to gain some experience when just getting started?
Tuner, thanks for your input, nothing wrong with being realistic. Wasn't planning on spot & stalk black tail hunting but rather scouting via trail cams and setting up a ground blind, definitely open to other suggestions though as my main priority is filling the freezer with protein of any kind.
Re: New hunter in region 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Whonnock Boy
Truth be told, it will be challenging regardless, the first of it being proficient with your bow. That in itself is a challenge. Region 2 Blacktails can be very tough to find, let alone harvest, and if you're attempting to encourage your son, it's best to find a grouse or rabbit that you can at least bring home, and even those are not very abundant in Region 2. Who know's though. There's always beginner luck wherever you do decided to draw your string. ;)
Crazy, I know a guy who is able to fill his blacktail bag limit with a crossbow every season by pemberton which is right beside 2-6...had no idea it was considered a tough region for blacktail and I'm even more keen on picking his brain about strategies/tactics now, been trying to convince him to take me out next season but also don't want to be pushy about it. Have already committed to putting in the necessary time getting proficient with the bow before even thinking about getting a tag but in the meantime I'm trying to pick up as much info as possible so I have as much "beginners luck" on my side as I can get. Thanks again for the input, it's much appreciated!
Re: New hunter in region 2
same...be tough go for reg 2 with archery, did it for years. never did even draw back on one. got 2 blk tail in reg but was with rifle, and both standing next to each other, lol
maybe start on bear if reg 2 is priority, much easier in my view. black tail is a hard go even with rifle, the terrain isnt fun for most and give up, isnt so much lack of game. its more lack of going into that thick steep crap
and as far as that bow hunting course...never heard of it. not a must have to hunt anyways
Re: New hunter in region 2
Really good advice above.
I live in Squamish and know the Ashlu and surrounding areas pretty well. My son and I spent a lot of days, him with his bow and me with my rifle, hiking and driving Region 2. Now I drive at least to Pemberton, most often into the Chilcotin to hunt. Lots of deer hunters pounding the area around Pemberton, not so many around here, because there are more critters up there and the habitat is more huntable.
Like Bonz says, if you are planning to stay in Reg 2, bear is your best option.
ProGuide66 used to post here a lot but now he has a FB page. How to Hunt or something like that. Pemberton is an area he knows really well and I think the tips on his page are well suited to that area.
Have fun, don't pressure yourself to put meat in the freezer for the first few years (I'm not kidding) and you will accumulate a body of knowledge worth passing on to your son.
Re: New hunter in region 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by
45freezer
Crazy, I know a guy who is able to fill his blacktail bag limit with a crossbow every season by pemberton which is right beside 2-6...had no idea it was considered a tough region for blacktail and I'm even more keen on picking his brain about strategies/tactics now, been trying to convince him to take me out next season but also don't want to be pushy about it. Have already committed to putting in the necessary time getting proficient with the bow before even thinking about getting a tag but in the meantime I'm trying to pick up as much info as possible so I have as much "beginners luck" on my side as I can get. Thanks again for the input, it's much appreciated!
He may have an area dialed in but unless he takes to to his exact spot you might have a hard time seeing a buck there.
Re: New hunter in region 2
go do your scouting when you can get out there, find an area with lots of trails and track and get some salt and a cam out.
cant help with info out squamish way, if your ever out the valley direction i could show couple spots. showed couple other but the never used them. and they still have no deer...lol, one guy that did stick to the info is shared, tagged his deer and bear first season.
find an area and work it. dont give up and keep moving to a diff spot cause you havent seen deer in a week or something. seems to be the main thing ive seen helping newer guys out.