blacktails on 2-16.

[E-J Kooij]

hey guys,<br>i did a lot of research on 2-16 for blacktails since it has a very liberal hunting season. my conclusions come to that Texada island gets a lot of people on not a lot of public land, bowen and Gambier has a good amount of deer but many residents frown upon hunting and Anvil has few people living there but is hard to access. i am wondering if i am missing something about the islands of 2-16 and which one would be the better choice.&nbsp;<br>i would like to state that i am not afraid of thick woods and that i am not afraid of long hikes.<br>thanks ahead for any advice.<br><br>

[1911]

Texada Island is practically all crown land. Go in November, wear orange, get off the roads.

M.

[Hankus]

As an FYI, hunting on Bowen is just about impossible. You cannot use a firearm. You cannot hunt on crown land. You are only allowed to hunt on private land (larger than 5 acres) with a traditional bow *and* a bow discharge permit issued by the RCMP.

[Redthies]

We took two blacktail in 2-16 this year. Not anywhere you mentioned, but it was WAY busier than I thought. We were in a small area and saw NINE different parties in 3 days. We averaged 10-18 kms of walking per day to get where we needed to be, and saw a ton of sign, but only the two deer we shot, and one I bumped in super thick cover. Best venison I’ve ever had, but it was a LOT of work getting it. Would I go back again? Damn right I would!

Definetly wear some blaze orange...

[E-J Kooij]

thank you for the advice.
would anvil island be a good possibility?

[granola_eater]

thank you for the advice.
would anvil island be a good possibility?

Anvil doesn't get a lot of discussion on here and it's not because it's a secret or hard to get to. The only dock is at the bible camp and it's private. Bible camp doesnt allow weapons to cross their property so they'll tell you to kick rocks if you show up. Beaches are privately owned so you can't land on em and the rest of the island is super cliffy with no anchorages-- take a look at the charts and you'll see that it goes straight from island to 600 ft deep. I've done it before and the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. Tried it out for a season along with some other spots in the area and I haven't been back.

[MichelD]

Anvil doesn't get a lot of discussion on here and it's not because it's a secret or hard to get to. The only dock is at the bible camp and it's private. Bible camp doesnt allow weapons to cross their property so they'll tell you to kick rocks if you show up. Beaches are privately owned so you can't land on em and the rest of the island is super cliffy with no anchorages-- take a look at the charts and you'll see that it goes straight from island to 600 ft deep. I've done it before and the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. Tried it out for a season along with some other spots in the area and I haven't been back.

Legally in Canada beaches are public land up to the high-tide mark. But yeah, if the only access to crown land is across the adjacent property then you're stymied aren't you?

A buddy just bought a property on Gambier hopefully to go hunting on. After the season I asked him how it went and he said the neighbours are so close he was afraid to use a rifle. "Gotta get a bow I guess," he said.

[wideopenthrottle]

Legally in Canada beaches are public land up to the high-tide mark. But yeah, if the only access to crown land is across the adjacent property then you're stymied aren't you?

A buddy just bought a property on Gambier hopefully to go hunting on. After the season I asked him how it went and he said the neighbours are so close he was afraid to use a rifle. "Gotta get a bow I guess," he said.

As per the granola eater post, I have only cruised by anvil on my way to port mellon area a few times but I think by the looks of it, it deserves its name...it also seems too small to hold many deer

[mjplewak]

Texada Island is practically all crown land. Go in November, wear orange, get off the roads.

M.

NO...Just to clarify, 1/3 of Texada Island is private. With the majority on the northern end. Look on a map before hunting Texada to stay out of trouble, as locals will troll for hunters in the wrong place. If you want to stay away from private, I would hunt the bottom southern half.

[MB_Boy]

As per the granola eater post, I have only cruised by anvil on my way to port mellon area a few times but I think by the looks of it, it deserves its name...it also seems too small to hold many deer

I have a friend who has a cabin on a large piece of land adjacent to the church camp property to the west. I can tell you from first hand experience there is a decent number on there. Now in saying that a cougar did get on to the island a few years back and not sure what kind of damage it may have done to the population.

[granola_eater]

Legally in Canada beaches are public land up to the high-tide mark. But yeah, if the only access to crown land is across the adjacent property then you're stymied aren't you?

Yeah, should have been more precise in my language. In the areas with beaches where you might be able to land a small boat and go ashore, all the upland property is private/marked with houses on it. All the crown shoreline with crown behind it is cliffy and basically inaccessible.

[Hankus]

E-J, I'm circling back on this thread because I don't think my reply was very friendly or welcoming. I don't want to be too presumptuous, but based on your question I'm assuming that you might be a newer hunter. If so, welcome. We really, really need new hunters if we're going to be able to continue our lifestyle.


It's great that you're looking for a new spot and that you're diving deep into the regulations. Being able to closely read the regs is a huge asset and can be the difference between finding a honey hole with lots of opportunity or just taking your rifle for a walk (and, sometimes, that's great too).

Hunters, as a group, are pretty cagey about good spots. There are a lot of reasons for this but, speaking for myself, it's chiefly because finding a good spot is a lot of work. Because spots are so closely guarded you won't get a lot of precise instruction about where to go (especially if you're asking about individual islands). Accordingly, asking someone about a specific spot or confirming where you should go (especially on a public forum) will usually result in radio silence.

It's important to know this is not because people don't want to encourage new hunters, it's just a reflection of the value and sweat equity involved in finding good spots.

In addition to e-scouting, one thing I always do is reach out to the local conservation officer when I'm thinking about a new place to hunt. If you are respectful and friendly they can be a wealth of knowledge.

Apologies in advance if I've misinterpreted your situation and good luck this year!

[Would Rather Be Fishing]

Hey Hankus, while I personally didn't read your post as "not welcoming" at all, I think ^^^^^ sets a great example on how we should be communicating in this forum. Thank you for that. The info, of course, is good too

[Hankus]

Hey Hankus, while I personally didn't read your post as "not welcoming" at all, I think ^^^^^ sets a great example on how we should be communicating in this forum. Thank you for that. The info, of course, is good too

Much appreciated.

Learning to hunt is hard enough, the least we can do as a community is be as friendly and encouraging as possible.

[Sako 75]

I hunted there about 17 years ago. It was sure crazy with lots of hunters especially doe season. My late dad and I each got very small bucks but they had lots of ticks. If you get one skin them right away when the body is still warm. We bush wack right in to heavy brush forest that's how we got ours. Never being back since. Like I said very small deer average dress weight probably around 40 lbs.

[Winter67]

Hankus I read a lot of posts on here never replying. You explained yourself well, I don’t think anyone should throw up all there juicey spots on the net. Kudos
E-J Yes There are some good deer on Texada. I would try all the fringe spots on the North part of the Island that are legal to hunt. Also do talk to the C.O. he will help if you ask the way you are. I have a nice 4 with brows from there about 10 yrs ago. It takes time to learn any spot good luck to you.