Bison Draw 7-42D

[PG Miller]

Hey Everyone!!! I am new to the forums here!! Relatively new to the hunting world too!! Last year some friends and I decided we wanted to try the bison hunt up north for a once and a life time experience. With draw odds hovering around the 1-50 range we figured we had a few years to plan this hunt. Well, we drew the damned thing after only 1 year, and we blew it on the scouting front as we anticipated a longer wait. Anyways long story short, I was curious about certain access issues.
First of all, what is the best way to access this area? My draw is for the early season Oct.1-15 and I am aware that there is a trespass fee to be paid to the Blueberry Nation. Is there an easy way to contact the Band prior to departure just to Iron things out before a guy heads up? Is the fee reasonable I have heard somewhere in the neighbourhood of around 2-300$??
Is there any opportunity for bison through the Sikanni area and does the trespass fee apply to this area as well??
We may also have access to a jet boat, is this area huntable by this means or are the rivers too skinny??
Sorry for the wall of text here, but just trying to get all my thoughts out in one blah.
Anyways, thanks in advance for any info, I will absolutely provide a detailed story prior to the hunt so that the next person that heads up into this beautiful country will have a little more to go on.

[srupp]

Hmm know nothing that will help HOWEVER
CONGRADULATIONS
srupp

[PG Miller]

Thanks man! Just excited to see the country

[Trapper]

Big forest fire up there as we speak

[wallz]

Was up there last year for my brothers tag that same time. We were up in the Sikanni area. No fees to pay, stayed at the old airport, like everyone else. Quad trails are no access off trail head in that area. The river is crossable by quad in a few places. Hunted hard for the week, and no fresh sign, but last year was a tough year and even the guides in the area had a tough go.
You can pay and stay at the cabins, and lessen the quad ride in, but that is upto you.

Worst part of the deal up there right now is a forest fire just north on the Kickinghorse river, just the next ridge over from the Sikanni, so that area might not be that great, and then I suggest the southern, pay the Blueberry Nation fee. Watch that fire tho, as it might blow thru that whole area and kick any plans you have for this year.

[PG Miller]

Was up there last year for my brothers tag that same time. We were up in the Sikanni area. No fees to pay, stayed at the old airport, like everyone else. Quad trails are no access off trail head in that area. The river is crossable by quad in a few places. Hunted hard for the week, and no fresh sign, but last year was a tough year and even the guides in the area had a tough go.
You can pay and stay at the cabins, and lessen the quad ride in, but that is upto you.

Worst part of the deal up there right now is a forest fire just north on the Kickinghorse river, just the next ridge over from the Sikanni, so that area might not be that great, and then I suggest the southern, pay the Blueberry Nation fee. Watch that fire tho, as it might blow thru that whole area and kick any plans you have for this year.

Oh that’s actually good news, I am in the D zone so I guess you’d call that the eastern portion. I thought there was a trespass fee, but not if you go In the Sikanni area? Well awesome that’s killer info!!

I saw that fire this morning �� pretty intense looking. Hopefully it contains itself but man, the weather does not look promising.

Thanks again for the tips!

[Ride Red]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/blob:http://www.huntingbc.ca/6e88a788-11c2-45be-8c34-fe2345e67192https://i.postimg.cc/MGZQCgtP/CEE797-F2-4-C7-A-47-D5-A25-B-AA21-FC36-F17-D.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fVFyX2Gm)

[Ride Red]

^^^^^^^ This is the map Dixie sent me.

[swampthing]

Where is the airstrip in comparison to the map?

[2chodi]

The airstrip is just before the gate noted on the map. The Hammetts do not own the territory any more — it's owned by the Prophet River First Nation and run by Doug McKee and his wife. A river boat is not useful.

[Ride Red]

Where is the airstrip in comparison to the map?

As 2chodi said, go to gate, hang a left.

[PG Miller]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/blob:http://www.huntingbc.ca/6e88a788-11c2-45be-8c34-fe2345e67192https://i.postimg.cc/MGZQCgtP/CEE797-F2-4-C7-A-47-D5-A25-B-AA21-FC36-F17-D.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fVFyX2Gm)
Dude!!! Thank you so so much that is great

[PG Miller]

The Sikanni River Ranch is private land correct??? I assume they don’t just let anyone cross or hunt the area??? I’ll overlay that map a bit with what I have of the area anyways. Thanks a bunch guys!!

[moosinaround]

Where is the airstrip in comparison to the map?
Airstrip is at the gate on map! Long haul everyday but pretty easy when I was up there. Moosin

[PG Miller]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/blob:http://www.huntingbc.ca/6e88a788-11c2-45be-8c34-fe2345e67192https://i.postimg.cc/MGZQCgtP/CEE797-F2-4-C7-A-47-D5-A25-B-AA21-FC36-F17-D.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fVFyX2Gm)
Hey, would that orange metal gate be considered the boundary of private and public land??? If it is private is it just a matter of obtaining permission or paying a small fee?? Wish I knew the area a little better that’s for sure.

[Mudsey]

The gate is on public land and is used to restrict access into the Muskwa/Kechicka Access Management area. You can easily get quads and side by sides around the gate. If you are staying at the ranch you can usually get permission to go through the gate with a pick-up and go straight to the ranch. If do this make sure you have chains for all 4 corners as the road can get pretty slimy, mind you you should have chains to get as far as the airstrip anyway. Feel free to PM me as I had the same hunt in 2019.

[wallz]

Yep, as Mudsey said above, chains for all 4 corners, and check them before you go. Last year chains were not necessary while I was there, but the year before, several truck went over a LARGE drop because of a lack of chains. Always wrecks up there to those without chains. It can snow, melt and get dicey overynight up there, or snow a huge amount and you will have a tough time to get out.

Be prepared for elk as well. We tried chasing the largest 6x6 that I have seen, as we looked at him at 1200 yrds. Instant count, as he was that large. We could not close the distance to him, as a few mule does pushed him off around the 850 yrd range. I vowed after that experience to be able to shoot to 1000 yrds and not have that experience again. Yea, I'm still working on the 1000 yrds, but it is in the works.

Plenty of Whitetail in the area as well on the way in, and towards the river bottoms.

Hopefully that fire turns the other way, and is not too long burning for ya.

[Thunderstix]

You take the Trimble trail to get to the “other side” or “past” the ranch. You can only cross the Sikanni legally in one spot and that is the Marion Lake crossing. The Ranch has very little private land although they try to claim more than is actually theirs.

[PG Miller]

The gate is on public land and is used to restrict access into the Muskwa/Kechicka Access Management area. You can easily get quads and side by sides around the gate. If you are staying at the ranch you can usually get permission to go through the gate with a pick-up and go straight to the ranch. If do this make sure you have chains for all 4 corners as the road can get pretty slimy, mind you you should have chains to get as far as the airstrip anyway. Feel free to PM me as I had the same hunt in 2019.

Oh perfect ok I’ll definitely be in touch, just put at the cabin so service is spotty. Thanks for all the help.

[PG Miller]

Hey, would that orange metal gate be considered the boundary of private and public land??? If it is private is it just a matter of obtaining permission or paying a small fee?? Wish I knew the area a little better that’s for sure.


You take the Trimble trail to get to the “other side” or “past” the ranch. You can only cross the Sikanni legally in one spot and that is the Marion Lake crossing. The Ranch has very little private land although they try to claim more than is actually theirs.

Hey thanks for the info, is there an app to show the exact or roughly the exact private/public land boundaries? Really don’t wanna step on any toes.

[JAGRMEISTER]

you did mean Buckinghorse i am sure.........

[Thunderstix]

Hey thanks for the info, is there an app to show the exact or roughly the exact private/public land boundaries? Really don’t wanna step on any toes.
You honestly should get a map from McEllaney (spelled wrong haha) 10 days before going, just to get the latest version….tell them you want all private and leased land identified. Sikanni Outfitters has tried to claim that the fields on the “other side”, just upstream from the ranch are theirs, and they will harass you….it is crown land

[PG Miller]

You honestly should get a map from McEllaney (spelled wrong haha) 10 days before going, just to get the latest version….tell them you want all private and leased land identified. Sikanni Outfitters has tried to claim that the fields on the “other side”, just upstream from the ranch are theirs, and they will harass you….it is crown land

Oh ok that is sound advice, thank you sir. I am not sure if I am going to be going to the southern pink mountain area, although it seems like that is where most of the bison are taken. I have a map from 2019 downloaded in PDF and it definitely shows the lands north of the rivers confluence with the 2bit is public land but I don't want to ruffle any feathers.

[Darksith]

If you haven't, join BC Bison Hunting on facebook too...

The airstrip is above zone D, and is in the Bison GOS area. Might be even busier up there? Not sure, I have the same draw for late Nov, been 10 years since I was there last, but I was in the halfway with the A zone...

[Thunderstix]

If you haven't, join BC Bison Hunting on facebook too...

The airstrip is above zone D, and is in the Bison GOS area. Might be even busier up there? Not sure, I have the same draw for late Nov, been 10 years since I was there last, but I was in the halfway with the A zone...
The airstrip is NOT in the GOS area, not if you are referring to the Sikanni Airstip….Nevis airstrip is in the GOS, but not Sikanni.

[wallz]

PG Miller,

I have the McElleney map I purchased last year in late Sept when I went. If you would like send me your info and I can send it to you, or you can pick it up when you are coming thru PG on the way up there. I will probably never use it again, and just looked at it the other night.

If you want it sent, just pay postage, as it is in a round tube about 4' long.

I'm in PG.

[PG Miller]

PG Miller,

I have the McElleney map I purchased last year in late Sept when I went. If you would like send me your info and I can send it to you, or you can pick it up when you are coming thru PG on the way up there. I will probably never use it again, and just looked at it the other night.

If you want it sent, just pay postage, as it is in a round tube about 4' long.

I'm in PG.

Hey, that would be great, I’m in PG too, how’s a case of your favourite brew sound??? I could pick it up Wednesday or Thursday unless you need more time to dig it out?

[Mudsey]

I'd recheck that. Pretty sure airstrip is in Zone D LEH area and the GOS area is to the North. On the drive in on the Mile 171 Rd you go through a small portion of the GOS area where the road swichbacks down and crosses Chicken Cr. a little before the airstrip.


If you haven't, join BC Bison Hunting on facebook too...

The airstrip is above zone D, and is in the Bison GOS area. Might be even busier up there? Not sure, I have the same draw for late Nov, been 10 years since I was there last, but I was in the halfway with the A zone...

[Thunderstix]

I'd recheck that. Pretty sure airstrip is in Zone D LEH area and the GOS area is to the North. On the drive in on the Mile 171 Rd you go through a small portion of the GOS area where the road swichbacks down and crosses Chicken Cr. a little before the airstrip.
Correct sir!!

[Dustee]

I did the hunt for the end of October last year. We stayed at bucking horse since it looked like it was going to be a bit cold and windy. Boy are we glad we did! Having a warm place to hang out in the evening was a life saver I think. We hunted hard for 10 days in Zone D, and saw old sign. We did hunt both Sikanni (North portion) as well as the Halfway basin (South Portion) and talked to people at both areas as well as some of the locals. We did the bypass around the Blueberry ranch, and it was a bit sketchy for sure. Having said that, I'm not 100% sure we took the correct path the whole way unless it's supposed to have a river crossing involved. We did talk to the ranch before hand and it was $200 per person to pass through there, as a group of 6, we decided it wasn't worth it. I have some ideas of where the bison were hiding away from all the action now that I've had some time to process and take a look at what we saw and didn't see. I'm more than happy to talk about that if someone would like my thoughts. Also I do have a map as well updated from last year, I even laminated it, so if anyone would like that for the upcoming season please just let me know.

[PG Miller]

I did the hunt for the end of October last year. We stayed at bucking horse since it looked like it was going to be a bit cold and windy. Boy are we glad we did! Having a warm place to hang out in the evening was a life saver I think. We hunted hard for 10 days in Zone D, and saw old sign. We did hunt both Sikanni (North portion) as well as the Halfway basin (South Portion) and talked to people at both areas as well as some of the locals. We did the bypass around the Blueberry ranch, and it was a bit sketchy for sure. Having said that, I'm not 100% sure we took the correct path the whole way unless it's supposed to have a river crossing involved. We did talk to the ranch before hand and it was $200 per person to pass through there, as a group of 6, we decided it wasn't worth it. I have some ideas of where the bison were hiding away from all the action now that I've had some time to process and take a look at what we saw and didn't see. I'm more than happy to talk about that if someone would like my thoughts. Also I do have a map as well updated from last year, I even laminated it, so if anyone would like that for the upcoming season please just let me know.

Hey Dustee thanks so much for the valuable information, I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject for sure. I am still very much on the fence about where to focus my attention, the most recent area I have hear Bison being killed is up in the Sikanni area. I am however not a fan of camping with 25 other different camps and a mad dash every morning to locate the good spots. I have an idea of where I would like to focus my attention but it could be a complete waste of time.

Does anyone know if there is a way to cross the Sikanni west of the highway? IHunter shows something that may be a crossing from the Marion Lake side? I am not sure Anyways thanks for all the help.

[Elk_Valley_Hunter]

We got a group draw for this area but it was much later (Jan 2020). Camped at the air strip and rode out from there every day. Seems like the snow and cold winter brought the Bison down lower, but many still up in the hills much higher elevation then you would expect to see them at. I would think that in October you'd have better luck hunting the hills then hunting valley bottom. Send me a PM if you would like more information. We ended up taking two bison, one about 10km past the air strip, up about 1200 feet elevation above valley bottom and one in valley bottom about 5km from the cabins. Had to work to get them, and both came out on pack boards but made the trip all worth it. Good luck!

[Darksith]

Was up there last year for my brothers tag that same time. We were up in the Sikanni area. No fees to pay, stayed at the old airport, like everyone else. Quad trails are no access off trail head in that area. The river is crossable by quad in a few places. Hunted hard for the week, and no fresh sign, but last year was a tough year and even the guides in the area had a tough go.
You can pay and stay at the cabins, and lessen the quad ride in, but that is upto you.

Worst part of the deal up there right now is a forest fire just north on the Kickinghorse river, just the next ridge over from the Sikanni, so that area might not be that great, and then I suggest the southern, pay the Blueberry Nation fee. Watch that fire tho, as it might blow thru that whole area and kick any plans you have for this year.
do you mean bucking horse river?

[Darksith]

The gate by the airstrip...is that always locked? or is it left open for the ranch to pass through? That is the boarder of the MKMA? Can you sled around it in the winter to use the road if its left locked?

[wallz]

The gate by the airstrip...is that always locked? or is it left open for the ranch to pass through? That is the boarder of the MKMA? Can you sled around it in the winter to use the road if its left locked?

Yes always locked, and only those with a key use it and lock it.

Under or around it an easy go. Big trail.

Sorry, yes the Bucking Horse River area has a fire, but that might be under control now.

[PG Miller]

We got a group draw for this area but it was much later (Jan 2020). Camped at the air strip and rode out from there every day. Seems like the snow and cold winter brought the Bison down lower, but many still up in the hills much higher elevation then you would expect to see them at. I would think that in October you'd have better luck hunting the hills then hunting valley bottom. Send me a PM if you would like more information. We ended up taking two bison, one about 10km past the air strip, up about 1200 feet elevation above valley bottom and one in valley bottom about 5km from the cabins. Had to work to get them, and both came out on pack boards but made the trip all worth it. Good luck!

I think my biggest worry is, Is there enough space for 30 bison hunters plus however many moose hunters to hunt this area and not always be running into each other or vying for space? From the gate forward seems like a a narrow area for 30 people to be running around on quads. What was your experience dealing with just the sheer number of people.

[Dustee]

I think my biggest worry is, Is there enough space for 30 bison hunters plus however many moose hunters to hunt this area and not always be running into each other or vying for space? From the gate forward seems like a a narrow area for 30 people to be running around on quads. What was your experience dealing with just the sheer number of people.


When we went up we decided to wait 4 days and let the eager beavers get in and get bored and go home. From all the research I did, it seems that there are generally a decent amount of people on the first few days of whichever 2 week period you hunt, and then everyone has real life to get back into. I have a spreadsheet somewhere that takes into account all of the time people put in from all of the posts on this forum that i could find pertaining to bison hunting, and the average amount of time people spent was just over 4 days. Hence why we went in 4 days later and hunted for 10.

On an animal finding note, I had some friends have the first two weeks in November in zone C, and they found some bison the first 2 days, but someone else harvested one, partially (only took the backstraps and one quarter), and then spooked the animals and they couldn't get on them after that. Last year was just a tough beginning of the year according to everyone I talked to up there, but from what I have been reading, it was pretty good for people in January! If you're going to look, spend the time in Sikanni, either pay to stay at the cabins, stay at the airstrip or one of the other sites along the road on the way in, or if the weather is as biting cold (-46 with windchill) as it was for us, you could always stay at Bucking Horse motel. It's not pretty, but its warm and the people are awesome!

[Thunderstix]

I will be in Sikanni until Oct 2nd so will keep an eye out

[Elk_Valley_Hunter]

I think my biggest worry is, Is there enough space for 30 bison hunters plus however many moose hunters to hunt this area and not always be running into each other or vying for space? From the gate forward seems like a a narrow area for 30 people to be running around on quads. What was your experience dealing with just the sheer number of people.

When I went, there was 15 tags given out for that time frame I believe. There were two other groups at the air strip, some groups at the cabins, and some that probably just didnt make the voyage. We did almost all our hunting on foot so didnt run into anyone but if you are just planning on driving up and down the roads you can expect it to be fairly congested. There is lots of area but hunting regulations dont allow you to venture very far off the main road by quad or side by side.

[PG Miller]

When I went, there was 15 tags given out for that time frame I believe. There were two other groups at the air strip, some groups at the cabins, and some that probably just didnt make the voyage. We did almost all our hunting on foot so didnt run into anyone but if you are just planning on driving up and down the roads you can expect it to be fairly congested. There is lots of area but hunting regulations dont allow you to venture very far off the main road by quad or side by side.
I will be doing as much hiking as I can, however will be hunting with 1 fella who can’t do a while of up and down hiking due to a medical condition so he’ll probably be cruising area on the bike while Me and the other hunter hike certain areas. I do believe there are 30 draws for the October 1-15 hunt in 7-42 D so there could possibly be that many individuals in that area. Anyways thanks for the advice