Fly In Hunt Etiquette

[Cordillera]

Looking to start a conversation about etiquette for fly in hunts to avoid interfering with other hunters. This comes after we had a near miss this fall.

We had flown from one location, and our homework confirmed one other party was going to be on the same lake, coming in with a different airline, but likely at the other end. Big enough lake to share, so we went for it. On Day 4 of our hunt a plane overflew our camp several times, then landed about 2 km away. Not great having neighbours but OK. The plane took off, circled a few times, then landed right at our beach....and when we said "Hello, can we help you" (move somewhere else...) the pilot said she was putting them off here even though they knew they were 100 yards from our camp. Apparently they didn't like the other camp spot and something happened in the plane that they couldn't go somewhere else. The pilot was pretty pissed.

So, some tension existed as we explained we had four rifles in the area, it was full, and can they find another spot? They had another plane coming just behind them for a total of four hunters. They had flown in with a different airline.... So, after some thinking, asking about other lakes, it was apparent they had not thought about this situation and didnt' really have other options cased. I happened to know of a camp spot further down the lake and we offered to help shuttle them there. It would make things a little busy but we could probably work around each other. So they agreed to move (thanks!!)

The next day, my buddy is on his stand just after first light. They had seen his canoe there the day before when flying around (they said they had seen it). He is watching a bull a little way off and hears cow calls off in the bush. Funny cow calls.... So he realizes he has to establish dominance and lets out his best cow call. The bull responds and starts coming at him. And so does the "cow" in the bushes. He sees the two hunters and signals for them to beat it. They keep coming. He signals again, as the bull is still coming from the other direction. They are still coming so when the bull gets into range he shoots it. The hunters approach him and are pissed he took their moose because they had been there since before first light. He says "I've been here three days...".

A couple days later we heard some shots in their area and we later saw a gut pile so we think they got a moose and then headed home.

We had an epic hunt; good moose, great scenery, great dudes. But, we were pretty pissed they almost spoiled a hunt for us, and also for them. So here's my proposed fly in hunt etiquette:

1. Try to get your pilot to confirm no other groups are booked in the lake. A couple of them will call other pilots to coordinate. That is how it used to work in areas of overlap. Hunters should encourage that.
2. Be prepared that someone is there first.
3. Have a plan B, and a Plan C. and a Plan D. Have maps, know the campsites, etc
4. Before you land, scout for camps. If there is a camp, go somewhere else. Even your second choice hunt alone will be better empty than your first choice that has company.
5. Do not camp within 5 km of another known camp. Give the other hunters enough room to spread out.

There are still lots of lakes that don't see other hunters. We hunted a place in 2018 that hadn't been hunted in 20 years to our knowledge (hidden in plain sight)
and we took two very large moose. So while some spots are crowded, take the extra time and effort to find those other spots. Hunting will be better.

Feedback or suggestions are welcome!!

[brn2ryd]

I’ve never been on a fly-in hunt, but your thoughts sound very reasonable.

[srupp]

Hmmm very well thought out possible solutions to ongoing issue.
pilots make 90 % of their monies august to mid oct..
They dont mind stacking if you dont protest.
Yes ask about other crews..yes remember that there are other planes flying..and you WILL get lied to..often .
Going to plan b..c., d is always better than numerous groups on a small lake especially small narrow lakes.
Remember too some group may have just left that lake after 10 days of blasting everything around.
You were able to work it out..sometimes that doesnt work..at all.
My last flight we got lied to, pilot we were flying with flew 6 guys into our booked lake..then pleaded ignorance on how they got there..but knew they already had 3 bull moose..hmmmmmmm
We flew 5 kms away..and had a wonderful hunt 2 x 60 inch..59 inch bulls..big bodies..lots of wolf shooting.however close enough that when out taking a 3:15 am piss I heard numerous rifle shots..from the direction of the 6 hunters at our first choice lake..Tim Terrance and I were wondering. .drinking..or grizzlies..later found out grizzlies took better part of 2 moose..and even with shots wouldnt take no for a answer..they were 5kms as the crow flies from us.
5 kms is reasonable distance.
These fly in hunts are not cheap..and should relieve stress not add to it
Do your homework as has been suggested..have numerous alternative close by lakes, bring a small inflatable boat..2hp motor sufficient fuel..
If another company already has folks there first..go elsewhere..its not the pilots job to enquire about every lake and competitors..you do your due diligence..phone and ask if they have booked flight into xyz lk for sept 26 ? If so..go to plan b.
Very well thought out post on this common issue..had far more of these than clear sailing hunts.
However only 3 times did we change or location..when we did. .we had the flight company call our wives with the update.also the SPOT check in nightly showed us at a different lake..not what we planned but where we were.
Cheers
srupp

[Rackmastr]

Was a busy spot for sure this year. Was great meeting you up there and was good to meet after both our groups had essentially tagged out on moose. We had a great spot way down the lake and enjoyed a great camping spot and killing 2 moose right at camp kinda made it nice!

Sure seemed more like an airport there over a 3-5 day period than it was a lake. By far the busiest I've ever seen a northern hunt. We did get lucky in the fact that we only saw 1 other human the entire time we were up there in our group of 4. Just a ton of planes flying in and out and the understanding that several groups were coming and going it seemed like lol.

You bring up some great points and well worth considering for people. It sure becomes tough when multiple pilots are all involved and groups coming and going at different times. Can make it very hard to plan ahead and even Plan B, C, and D can have other groups fly in mid week or during, etc.

Main thing a guy has to do more than anything is be respectful of people at lakes and enjoy the hunting where you can. So much of the rest of it is out of control with so many people flying into various lakes.

[srupp]

Privot pilots x2 were going to fly into this international airport..one at least flew into a very close by lake and got an amazing bull..and passed on a couple of squeeker caribou .
some very level headed..type B personalities made this situation work out.
Personally very surprised., however it also didnt hurt to have plenty of moose , during peak rut, and everyone got moose.
and no hunters were harmed in the making of another moose hunt.
Some really good guys all round
Hats off to all
Srupp

[338 whisper]

When I booked my lake I was told know one else from from the company I booked with would fly people in their not before me or after me. Bill the owner of B.C.Yukon Air said "Why would I wreck your once in lifetime hunt or anyone else's".This was held true for me.This also was a topic of discussion While waiting for my plane flight other people said they have never been screwed by having other people on their booked lakes. I guess if you pick a lake close to some other company flight distance you may have other people on it.

[Sharpish]

We didn’t have the best experience with BC YUKON either. Can’t remember the Kiwi pilots name but she was friendly enough. Prices are up up up and customer service is going down like a beaver with a live buffalo strapped to each pontoon.

[Avalanche123]

We didn’t have the best experience with BC YUKON either. Can’t remember the Kiwi pilots name but she was friendly enough. Prices are up up up and customer service is going down like a beaver with a live buffalo strapped to each pontoon.

Her name is McKenzie. I don't agree with you as I felt customer service was very good. Weather conditions were very challenging this year and IMO BC Yukon did the best they could. I have never seen prices go down either...operatiing cost (fuel etc) continues to climb.

[Sharpish]

Minimum flight distances have nothing to do with fuel costs. If the lake is 15 miles away, you got charged 60 miles one year, then 80 miles the next. I’m guessing next year is 100 miles minimum. $1000 plus tax to go 15 miles each way.


I know I know. If you don’t like it then go somewhere else. I plan to :-)

[Avalanche123]

Minimum flight distances have nothing to do with fuel costs. If the lake is 15 miles away, you got charged 60 miles one year, then 80 miles the next. I’m guessing next year is 100 miles minimum. $1000 plus tax to go 15 miles each way.


I know I know. If you don’t like it then go somewhere else. I plan to :-)

No....hopefully you talked to Billy about the discrepancy. I am not sure how they work their prices but yes Minimums continue to go up. Again, talk to Billy and see how he explains it. Or go elsewhere as you suggest.

[Sharpish]

When I booked my lake I was told know one else from from the company I booked with would fly people in their not before me or after me. Bill the owner of B.C.Yukon Air said "Why would I wreck your once in lifetime hunt or anyone else's".This was held true for me.This also was a topic of discussion While waiting for my plane flight other people said they have never been screwed by having other people on their booked lakes. I guess if you pick a lake close to some other company flight distance you may have other people on it.

They won’t stack hunters on a lake but do you think they will put you on any lake you want at any time if it’s vacant?

If you think booking Cry lake for 1 week in September means they don’t fly any other party into that lake that entire year, I have a bridge to sell you hahhaa

[ryanb]

A lot of bitching about other people's actions on this site lately....pretty sad. You make your own luck and no one owns the bush! Honestly this site is pretty sad lately, more bitching than stories.

[boxhitch]

To make this work, to be alone in the wild lakes, coordination and communication would be very important
So everybody would have to divulge their destinations ahead of flight time so all carriers could mark their calendars and maps
Transparency would be needed, in advance to know if plan b or c are viable options

Knowing what has transpired previously the same season at the lake would be good too, plan b might become plan a if a party has already taken 2? 3? 4? moose

But then of course, calling the g/o to ask if they happen to be busy at a particular lake would be a key factor in being alone also
Just because they have a camp doesn't mean it is being used on a particular week so some more calls are necessary

Maybe a reservation system, with the ability to buy priority points for a few coins

[srupp]

A lot of bitching about other people's actions on this site lately....pretty sad. You make your own luck and no one owns the bush! Honestly this site is pretty sad lately, more bitching than stories.

Hmmm no..great thread. .lots of first time fly in hunters..you cant make decisions based on information you dont have..or worse intentionally decieved.
Thought it was helpful discussion. .no one's panties were in a bunch ?
Book a flight $$$$ told no ones in there..if there was ,yes choose another location..fly in to find 2 float planes there with obviously plenty of notification to the wildlife left living...
the discussion was on how to handle the situation ..some guys are cool and relaxed others are horn dogs...no ethics..you dont know..best to avoid the situation possible confrontation miles into the wilderness...you make your own luck....hmmm the luckiest guys I know are the ones that work the hardest..funny how that always seems to work .
This was about finding your planned location full up...completely..then what..no doubt some flight companies have sketchy histories...I found the original post insightful..the group that wound up at the same lake friendly and helpful...but whats a group to do...great suggestions..
Some bad experiences. ...bitching..or heads up..I didnt recognize the pilots deceit untill much later..too trusting..one of the better posts..trying to help beforehand..I appreciated the thought process..and know the lake and how difficult the situation must have been..handled very well imo.
Cheers
srupp

[g_worsnop]

The service was awsome!
Dan and McKenzie went out of their way to help!

[338 whisper]

[QUOTE][We didn’t have the best experience with BC YUKON either. Can’t remember the Kiwi pilots name but she was friendly enough. Prices are up up up and customer service is going down like a beaver with a live buffalo strapped to each pontoon/QUOTE] Our pilot was Mckenzie she was great had no problems at all.

[albravo2]

Looking to start a conversation about etiquette for fly in hunts to avoid interfering with other hunters.

1. Try to get your pilot to confirm no other groups are booked in the lake. A couple of them will call other pilots to coordinate. That is how it used to work in areas of overlap. Hunters should encourage that.
2. Be prepared that someone is there first.
3. Have a plan B, and a Plan C. and a Plan D. Have maps, know the campsites, etc
4. Before you land, scout for camps. If there is a camp, go somewhere else. Even your second choice hunt alone will be better empty than your first choice that has company.
5. Do not camp within 5 km of another known camp. Give the other hunters enough room to spread out.



I think with all the variables at play it is hard to follow strict guidelines. Fuel, weather, weight, schedules... every day is a exercise in change management and every change is expensive. It is a busy time of year for the charter companies and private float guys jump into the mix to complicate matters.

I think common sense and decency should carry the day, as it did with your hunt.

[Baconator]

Got old and do not fly in any more. Started flying in out of Dease in the mid eights. It was 40 mile minimum charge for all the years I flew. started flying with the Sandes, before Bruce. Found the farther from Dease you flew the less likely you were to have company. Tried to pick lakes that were also a long ways from the other float plane bases. 60 to 70 air miles to a lake usually made it a little expensive for moose hunting after the Otter was gone.

[twoSevenO]

A lot of bitching about other people's actions on this site lately....pretty sad. You make your own luck and no one owns the bush! Honestly this site is pretty sad lately, more bitching than stories.

So if your supposedly "remote trip" ends up with several camps stacked on the same lake, through no fault of your own you're supposed to just accept it as your own doing?

[S.W.A.T.]

Or walk in. Its only 15 miles as you say

[Downtown]

All things considered, nobody but nobody is able to find out ahead of time of another Party's schedule.

If you wish to Fly in and have plenty of Space pick a big Lake and bring a Boat with Motor. This allows you to move if somebody is crowding you.

Cheers

[boxhitch]

So if your supposedly "remote trip" ends up with several camps stacked on the same lake, through no fault of your own you're supposed to just accept it as your own doing?there are always options
your choices dictate the outcome

[Avalanche123]

there are always options
your choices dictate the outcome

Nothing is perfect. Nothing is overtly intentional. Adapt. I still say BC Yukon does the best job possible. However if you are unhappy either talk to Billy or just go elsewhere. As Boxhitch says,,,adapt.

[Cordillera]

So thanks for some good perspectives. As. Opted there are no guarantees and I think most floAt plane companies try to help out. But I think the hunters can pull their own end to reduce the chance of overlap. It’s mostly about planning ahead and when a situation arises doing your best to reduce overlap. I am going to pick lakes with lower probability of overlap, I’ll talk with the pilot in advance about our expectations if we find someone else there, I’ll have a few good back up options and the pilot will know what those are before we lift off to avoid confusion.

Thanks all!

[cuervosail]

We didn’t have the best experience with BC YUKON either. Can’t remember the Kiwi pilots name but she was friendly enough. Prices are up up up and customer service is going down like a beaver with a live buffalo strapped to each pontoon.

I flew in September with BC Yukon Air for the third year in a row. Great customer service. I paid the same rate ($9.50/mile) as I did last year.

[butcher]

[QUOTE=cuervosail;2127058]I flew in September with BC Yukon Air for the third year in a row. Great customer service. I paid the same rate ($9.50/mile) as I did last year.[/QUOTE

me too. 4 times in three years. Prices are down a little from $10/mile a couple years ago

[rattling_junkie]

Thankfully in Manitoba we have many lakes, and only 1 plane company. I couldn't fathom flying into a lake with a group already there.

[Remmy]

I haven't been here for years but I agree with Ryan. What a bunch of self pity bullshit.