How about Skagit Valley in Hope?

[gearjunkierob]

I was in there at the beginning of May for bears. I met a Park warden at the lake who told me I couldn't bowhunt there and instead of arguing with him I left, but you are allowed to bowhunt at the lake and if they give you any flack about how a bow is considered a firearm make sure you can produce a Hunting Regulations to prove them wrong. I don't personally like that area except for early season bears because the lake is usually the first place to green up.

Hmmm....I think you are incorrect. Let me show you:

Hunting Regs Page 35:

PROVINCIAL PARKS,
RECREATION AREAS AND
PROTECTED AREAS

Please refer to Site and Access

Restrictions section for more information.

In keeping with Section 29 of the Park,

Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation,
the following are only open to the discharge
of firearms, bows and crossbows from
Sept. 10 to June 15 during a lawful game
hunting season:

Skagit Valley Park

. . . . . . . . . .(MU 2-2)

is open to the discharge of firearms from
Sept 10 to Mar 31only during a lawful
game hunting season.

Parks, Protected Areas and Recreation
Areas not listed in this section are closed
to hunting and closed to the discharge of

firearms, bows and crossbows.

Now if you look at the Park and Recreation Area Regulations in Division 5:

Division 5 — Firearms, Hunting and Fishing

Possession of firearms, bows and crossbows

28 No person shall possess a firearm, bow or crossbow in a park or recreation area except
(a) a firearm, bow or crossbow that is carried in a vehicle,
(b) during an open season specified under the Wildlife Act in those parks and recreation areas listed in Schedule B,
(c) in Columbia Lake Park between September 10 and June 15 of the following year, or
(d) as authorized by a park officer.
Discharge of firearms, bows and crossbows prohibited

29 (1) No person shall discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow in a park or recreation area except
(a) during an open season specified under the Wildlife Act in those parks and recreation areas listed in Schedule B and only for the purposes of hunting, or
(b) as authorized by a park officer.
(2) Except as authorized by a park officer, no person shall hunt or discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow in a park or recreation area within 400 metres of either side of the centreline of a park road or highway.

If I recollect correctly there is also a large yellow sign at the entrance to the park that refers to the above restrictions. The Park and Recreation Area Regs also state:

Signs
10 (1) A park officer may erect a sign or other device specifying an area in which specific activities are permitted, prohibited or restricted in a park or recreation area.
(2) Every person shall observe and obey every prohibition and restriction announced by the sign or other device erected under subsection (1).

The way I look at it you were wrong three times over. Sounds like you got a break to me. I'm sure at the very least the ranger could have charged you with illegal possesion of a bow in the park. If you had produced your hunting regs to try to prove the ranger wrong I'm sure he would have showed you the section of the regs that backed up his actions (pg. 35).

Cheers buddy,

Rob

[Paulyman]

I have sen quite a few bears in that area over the years, in fact i saw one there about a month and a half ago,if you want info on where i have seen bears pm me

Paul

[CooperSscat]

Well guys, my goal this year is to harvest a coastal blacktail. I made it out yesterday to the Silver Skagit Valley and then along the West side of Harrison Lake. Yesterday morning I saw only bear and coyote stool along young second growth stands. No deer sign as I could not access the spurred valleys with my borrowed Jeep. There's no evidence of recent logging along those spurs so the youngish looking second growth would be too thick to hunt. I only saw active logging low down in the valley along the main haul road.

With that I scooted across the Fraser and zipped up the West side of Harrison Lake to 13 km. I'd seen deer sign there last year but I only saw bear poop this go around. I had a nice steep hike and managed to view the lake way below me when the clouds opened up a bit.

After the hike I popped off 50 rounds of .22 and annihillated some spent plastic liquid vessels and my old clunker coffee travel mug. I felt better after that! I think I'll wait until some snow comes to aid in seeing where the game is moving here on the coast.

Jeremy

[Steeleco]

The best place I've found for BT's is on the tops of the hills. They tend to be far bigger deer. The trouble is finding your way there. It took me a few years to get into on area I was tipped off too, within 2 seasons it was inaccessible again. Hunting BT can be frustrating and rewarding.

[smokey]

i was at my hole yesterday,seen no deer but some tracks,and 7 grouse it funny ,drive down a road for 5min turn back the same way and their on the road ,3 came home will me,wraping them in bacon and are frying right now

[CooperSscat]

Glad you got some grouse smokey! I didn't even hear a freakin grouse yesterday. Normally I spook 1 or 2 while out walking my rifle. I was looking for your Samurai but like I said I bolted just after noon for the Harrison West. If you ever see a white Jeep Cherokee putting around that'll likely be me.

BTW the only deer I've seen in Region 2 this year have been up Big Silver Valley. I did see some unreal fresh deer pellets way high up on top along the Harrison East in some oldish 2nd growth near the edge of a replanted block(1300 plus meters) last month. Too bad there were no bucks around. Not to worry I'll stumble accross my first BT buck eventually.

Jeremy