Plenty of hiking the alpine & sub-alpine of regions 8 & 3 for the last 3 seasons. I'm a newb at large game as of 2015 but have done some waterfowling way back in the '80s in Alberta. Bagged one Goldeneye last season up in the Monashees. Had some close encounters last couple years, but never 100% sure of a legal kill so didn't pull the trigger. Haven't been out as much as I'd like this season due to personal issues, but the times I have, fresh sign has been scarce.
However, as in past years, the domestic mulies mock me in my yard! Taken this morning, a doe & young one basking in the sunshine in the front yard.... I got within about 12 meters & didn't phase her. A little closer the ears perked & she got ready to move, but I backed off & they stayed put.
I purchased a new 250 Honda to aid in scouting. Covers roads a lot quicker & gets through washouts the Taco won't handle. With any luck, I'll have better luck this year!!
The Monashee Pass area, if this ain't mule deer country, I don't know what is... Whiteys too for that matter. Saw a few relatively fresh hoofprints, but scrambling around with the Honda likely spooked anything before I went for a hike.
Even tried my hand at bow hunting early on before the guns came out, no joy...
My lack of success is certainly not due to lack of effort.... but hey, in the end, it's my love of the outdoors & the mountains that keeps me at it. This is above Mabel Lake November 2015. That hunt ended up turning into a nice afternoon ski tour. I doubt anything was up that high any longer, only tracks I saw were wabbit. I have a few more photos, maybe put them into a subsequent post if there's interest.