2 Rookies planning LEH Caribou Itcha Ilgachuz 5-12 hunt

[jennylyyy]

Hi Everyone,

Writing on behalf of myself and another rookie hunter. Sept will be our first season out.

Lucky us, we both entered for LEH caribou! We've committed to going - go big or go home right? I've read through helpful threads about Caribou, but noticed they're very old feeds and wondered if conditions have since changed?

Questions:

1. Should we fly in opening day on Sept 10th, or wait till it gets cooler later in the month around Sept 20-30th during the rut? The heat is a concern because a) we're two newbie hunters breaking down a huge animal for the first time b) we're going to need two trips minimal between the two of us and worried about meat spoiling

2. Any recommendations for pilots?

3. Should we fly in with coolers, and stash them in the bush by the lake in case we take down a bull on our first morning? That way we can stay and hunt other game?

Thank you for your input and support!

[warnniklz]

You're way further ahead than most. At least you plan on flying in. Most people ask how far the hike is.

[jennylyyy]

You're way further ahead than most. At least you plan on flying in. Most people ask how far the hike is.

Thanks! That gave me a good chuckle. I didn't want to slap a question on here without doing everything I can to educate myself first.

[Sharpish]

Rutting caribou are inedible. Totally disgusting. If you're in it for meat take it early.

[flyboy]

Stewart’s lodge float plane with pilot Ian top notch, book the old beaver. Just to get to fly in that old warhorse is a hunting trip highlight. We used them a couple times.

[dbergen69]

I think any time in September the meat should be good. The last week might be starting to get sketchy. October caribou in that area are terrible. When you are hunting don't discount the meadows around the lake. It has been awhile since I have been there but we have seen nice bulls in the meadows.

[elch jager]

Coincidentally had this very conversation this morning with a friend while out with the dogs. Do some practicing with your compass and make sure you have a good gps. His relatives have done the hunt twice - all day on horseback to get in... The one novice in the group got disoriented and lost. They needed Search and Rescue to finally get him out. Apparently when you climb to the highest spot to look around and get your bearings, everything looks the same in all directions. Neither hunt filled a tag. The caribou numbers are really low or they are getting smarter and hiding really well. Beautiful country though.

[jennylyyy]

Coincidentally had this very conversation this morning with a friend while out with the dogs. Do some practicing with your compass and make sure you have a good gps. His relatives have done the hunt twice - all day on horseback to get in... The one novice in the group got disoriented and lost. They needed Search and Rescue to finally get him out. Apparently when you climb to the highest spot to look around and get your bearings, everything looks the same in all directions. Neither hunt filled a tag. The caribou numbers are really low or they are getting smarter and hiding really well. Beautiful country though.

Appreciate the input, Elch Jager!
Glad you mentioned it because seasoned hunters keep telling me it was impossible to get lost, that there is only one lake and one mountain range but looking at the maps I had a hunch that wasn't the case. Especially for a newbie like myself.

Speaking of Caribou numbers getting really low, the BC chapter of the BHA (Backcountry hunter and anglers) is spreading awareness of this matter through a screening of "Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest" if you're not too far from the city it would be great to see you there.

Anyone else reading this if you would like to attend PM me for more details to avoid spamming or taking things off topic on this thread.

A bit more about the July 26th event:
"Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest is a cinematic journey into the tragically threatened world of endangered mountain caribou whose home is the world’s largest remaining inland temperate rainforest. Critical human and political choices will ultimately decide the fate of this stunning ecosystem, which spans from the US, through much of the Kootenays, north to the Yellowhead Highway."

[gcreek]

Appreciate the input, Elch Jager!
Glad you mentioned it because seasoned hunters keep telling me it was impossible to get lost, that there is only one lake and one mountain range but looking at the maps I had a hunch that wasn't the case. Especially for a newbie like myself.

Speaking of Caribou numbers getting really low, the BC chapter of the BHA (Backcountry hunter and anglers) is spreading awareness of this matter through a screening of "Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest" if you're not too far from the city it would be great to see you there.

Anyone else reading this if you would like to attend PM me for more details to avoid spamming or taking things off topic on this thread.

A bit more about the July 26th event:
"Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest is a cinematic journey into the tragically threatened world of endangered mountain caribou whose home is the world’s largest remaining inland temperate rainforest. Critical human and political choices will ultimately decide the fate of this stunning ecosystem, which spans from the US, through much of the Kootenays, north to the Yellowhead Highway."

Predators in this area are a far greater threat that habitat as you will find if you make the connection I gave you.

[gcreek]

Hi Everyone,

Writing on behalf of myself and another rookie hunter. Sept will be our first season out.

Lucky us, we both entered for LEH caribou in Itcha Lake and one of us got it! We've committed to going - go big or go home right? I've read through some helpful threads about hunting Caribou, even some specific to Itcha lake area, but noticed they're very old feeds and wondered if conditions have since changed.

As of right now, I have two questions I'm pondering on:
1. Should we fly in opening day on Sept 10th, or wait till it gets cooler later in the month around Sept 20-30th during the rut? The heat is a concern because a) we're two newbie hunters breaking down a huge animal for the first time b) we're going to need two trips minimal between the two of us and worried about meat spoiling

2. Any recommendations for pilots? We've been referred to Stewart's Lodge & camps at Nimpo Lake

I'm sure more questions will come up as we plan our trip and get knees deep in Caribou education. Thank you for your input!

Check your PM.