Summertime Fun

[derek p]

After much anticipation the time was upon us for our first trek into the spatsizi for stone sheep. My hunting partner and good friend had blown out his knee and would not be able to handle the long trek into the park.

As much as I wanted to do this hunt I was not equipped to do it alone on such short planning. I knew that I had more holidays in September and was putting together plans to do just that when news of the klappan blockade again kiboshed yet another trip.

After the dissapointment faded, I realized that the rugged back country is no place to be when your not 100% mentally and physically prepared to handle the challenges ahead.

I'm comfortable with my decision to not attempt this trip alone or with a partner that was not 100 % and with the efforts and planning that I put forth for a second attempt into the park only to have them extinguished by the blockade.

As one trip ended with out beggining another quickly took shape.

My partner and I decided that since we had already booked holidays and hired replacement workers that a hunting we had to go. But where? We decided that the Queen Charlotte Islands would be a good starting place. After a little research and some good advice from some Islanders, Thank You guys, the plan was put into motion.

This was to be a relaxing trip with maybe a little deer hunting. Well with a good buddy and decent weather that is exactly what it was.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs092.snc3/15935_191618405860_695030860_4269811_3241836_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4269813&id=695030860)

What a blast, hunting til 10 pm and sleeping in..haha just to do it again for 5 days.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15935_191618475860_695030860_4269820_3644231_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4269813&id=695030860)

The hardest part of this hunt was keeping the meat cool. This was solved by not shooting till the last few days of the trip and lots of ice.

There is no better eating deer than a Charlotte Blacktail.

[Kudu]

Hells teeth, you guys don't mess around eh?

[twoSevenO]

that looks like squirrel hunting ... but easier....

[mark]

So you guys were a head hunter tribe???
What a lineup of $hitbucks! Is that as big as they come up there???
How much meat per deer, boneless???

[BiG Boar]

Talk about some bone! Good on you guys! How many deer are up in them parts? Looks fairly abundant, did either of you tag out?

[derek p]

So you guys were a head hunter tribe???
What a lineup of $hitbucks! Is that as big as they come up there???
How much meat per deer, boneless???


Not sure what a head hunter tribe is, but in August only bucks are open so collecting heads is important

$hitbucks, probably, but I never found a good recipe for antlers, even the ones in velvet.

They do come bigger, alot bigger in fact, but local knowledge, time and some luck play a big factor in harvesting larger deer. Of course the larger bucks we saw were at nite and well past shooting light.

To be honest I dont know how much meat was on each deer. Maybe 40 lbs. give or take.

This trip was about relaxing and spending time with good buddies not the pressure or worries about harvesting a monster deer.

[Hermen]

How does the bag limit actually work there? I've heard 15 deer per year and heard others say you still have to abide by the aggregate limit for the province of 3 deer. Do these island deer go on a different licence or tag?

Hermen

[Shooter]

good on you. Sounds like you accomplished your goals. Also sounds like it would be a fun trip.

[twoSevenO]

sounds like a fun camping trip, i just don't see why kill so many little guys ... Aren't, say 2, enough ... pass up the rest while looking for a brute?

[mark]

Not sure what a head hunter tribe is, but in August only bucks are open so collecting heads is important

$hitbucks, probably, but I never found a good recipe for antlers, even the ones in velvet.

They do come bigger, alot bigger in fact, but local knowledge, time and some luck play a big factor in harvesting larger deer. Of course the larger bucks we saw were at nite and well past shooting light.

To be honest I dont know how much meat was on each deer. Maybe 40 lbs. give or take.

This trip was about relaxing and spending time with good buddies not the pressure or worries about harvesting a monster deer.

I suppose I should have included smilies :-D. I was only poking a little, never seen such a lineup of lil guys like that before!

[f350ps]

sounds like a fun camping trip, i just don't see why kill so many little guys ... Aren't, say 2, enough ... pass up the rest while looking for a brute?
Ya, cuz I heard there's a real shortage of Deer there hence the bag limit?? Good on you guys, sounds like you great trip! K

[KB90]

sounds like a fun camping trip, i just don't see why kill so many little guys ... Aren't, say 2, enough ... pass up the rest while looking for a brute?

Why not the high bag limit is there for a reason and they would sure be tasty!

[Jelvis]

I like the one on the left of the photo and the third from the right, nice lookin animals. Pretty good size too, I thought they would be smaller.
Great photo's thanks for the look see.
Jel -- nice haul --

[derek p]

The total number of cancelled tags that one can be in possesion of in any hunting year is 15.

The maximum # of QCI deer tags is 15.

The maximum # of mainland deer tags is 3.

The solution to maximize and cancel all possible tags for the province is 12 QCI deer and 3 mainland deer. Or cancel 15 QCI tags and forget about hunting the mainland.

You cannot exceed the possession limit of 5 deer on QCI, so you must therefore make more than 1 trip or arrange to have your deer shipped to your permanent address.

THere is a separate tag available for the charlottes at $10 per tag or you can use your provincial mule tags on the island but they count against your mainland quota.

THe first few days of the trip were spent in the alpine looking for larger deer but with daytime temps exceeding 20 degrees the big bruisers were not moving around much.

With the costs involved in such a trip, why not maximize all your oppertunities.

Yes, there are lots of deer, some big, some small, but all tasty. If we wanted we could of easily had another 10-15 deer. But the hassles of shipping and quality of meat would of been comprimised with such actions.

[horshur]

that is somthing I've always wanted to do...looks like it was a great trip.

[hunter1947]

Fantastic line up of QCI deer you got there ,lots of meat for the freezer ,congrats to you and your partners http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif.

[Hank Hunter]

Congrats, sounds like a real good time, and I hear the fishing is pretty good there too.

[d6dan]

Why not the high bag limit is there for a reason and they would sure be tasty!


When I worked on Graham Island in the 80's Up in Husbyland (Naden Harbour) Their were so many deer, they literally starved to death. At camp,we had a doe with 3 fawns and within 2 weeks, the fawns died off. One huge 4pt lived in camp and loved fresh baked cookies. Blackbears take their share of deer but don't really put a dent in the population. One guy I was working with Canned all the deer he shot.
Thinning out these deer it what is needed. Hell, if I was able body and could afford a trip,I'd love to go back there and hunt.. Sorry to hijack your thread:oops:

Congrats on your success Derek, Great pics and story...:-D

[KB90]

I can't get over how much fun that looks like. Just like grouse hunting but with little deer! That is something I will most defiantly be doing one day soon.

[Angel]

I can't get over how much fun that looks like. Just like grouse hunting but with little deer! That is something I will most defiantly be doing one day soon.


So when do you want to go Kyle? I have an open invite from a friend who lives there. Its open until February I believe, maybe some little bucks with big racks this time of year.............

[Kudu]

OK this may sound like a dumb question to you all, but do you get there? do you go via Vancouver island - or do you drive up the sunshine coast?

Excuse the ignorance but I'm new to the country!

[KB90]

OK this may sound like a dumb question to you all, but do you get there? do you go via Vancouver island - or do you drive up the sunshine coast?

Excuse the ignorance but I'm new to the country!

You can catch a ferry from Prince Rupert. I don't know about coming from Van Isle though.

[Angel]

OK this may sound like a dumb question to you all, but do you get there? do you go via Vancouver island - or do you drive up the sunshine coast?

Excuse the ignorance but I'm new to the country!


If you do a quick google search, there are a few options on charters to the QCI. I think Coastal Pacific and Jazz fly from YVR to QCI... Im sure there are alot of diffrent options. I am trying to find a good option as well.

[835]

there is a ferry that takes you there from port hardy as well.
might be faster than driving to rupert

[2x4x16]

there is a ferry that takes you there from port hardy as well.
might be faster than driving to rupert
I was Dereks hunting partner. We decided to drive to Rupert then ferry arross. 15 hours to Terrace 1.5 hours to Rupert then 7 hours to ferry to QCI. The most exciting trips Iv'e done, amazing scenery and lots of deer to see. When we went in August it was bucks only. Does open in Sept. In doe season you will tag out in two days.

[derek p]

here you go buddy, one for you
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs098.snc3/16531_215837310860_695030860_4505853_2497136_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4270013&id=695030860)

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15935_191618445860_695030860_4269816_4175598_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4269814&id=695030860)

[835]

a friend of mine has always wanted to go up there and do that trip. For all the reasons you have on that bench. Nice trip!

[2x4x16]

here you go buddy, one for you
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs098.snc3/16531_215837310860_695030860_4505853_2497136_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4270013&id=695030860)

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs112.snc3/15935_191618445860_695030860_4269816_4175598_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4269814&id=695030860)
Oh how I wish it was September when we saw that bear. It would be in a the process of a rug right now.

[derek p]

As I have had a few PM's asking about costs and such, here is the breakdown of the trip.

Ferry Prince Rupert to Skidgate- $ 275.50 each way.
This is for 32' underheight. summer rate applied

Fuel Vancouver to vancouver, including quad gas. $870.00
2007 f-150 v8 pulling a 14' alum utility trailer with 2 quads, tent and all gear.

Food, meals on the road, and food in camp - 325.00

Misc. expenses - 210.00

beer and spirits - :) that depends on you.....

All in all, not a cheap trip but very beautiful and exciting.

[835]

thanks...................

[d6dan]

As I have had a few PM's asking about costs and such, here is the breakdown of the trip.

Ferry Prince Rupert to Skidgate- $ 275.50 each way.
This is for 32' underheight. summer rate applied

Fuel Vancouver to vancouver, including quad gas. $870.00
2007 f-150 v8 pulling a 14' alum utility trailer with 2 quads, tent and all gear.

Food, meals on the road, and food in camp - 325.00

Misc. expenses - 210.00

beer and spirits - :) that depends on you.....

All in all, not a cheap trip but very beautiful and exciting.


Just looked at the ferry rates from Port Hardy to Rupert.

$170.00 per person
$390.00+$19.50 per ft over 20'
This is just one way. Much cheaper to drive up to Rupert.:wink:

[Angel]

I have found a few flights from Vancouver and langley that are around 450 to 500 return. I think that would ve much cheaper. When you consider gas,possible vehicle matenence and of course time. But again I'm still looking into the details.

[Jelvis]

Everyone's going to the Charlottes now, after seeing those deers.
I hear the biggest bearz alive live on the Queen. Bonu$
Jel-it's a heck of a thing --

[d6dan]

Everyone's going to the Charlottes now, after seeing those deers.
I hear the biggest bearz alive live on the Queen. Bonu$
Jel-it's a heck of a thing --


Not this cowboy!, been there,done that!
Yes, Big bears, some of the biggest Jellybean eating bears around!:eek:

[Angel]

Well I have a friend there who has invited me to come fill the freezer with little bucks plus another family friend is an owner of QC lodge so I guess I should go:mrgreen: I don't know if I can get a hunt in this year but next fall would sweet.

[born2hunt]

You can catch a ferry from Prince Rupert. I don't know about coming from Van Isle though.
you can catch a ferry from port hardy to rupert then another from rupert across, the ferry from port hardy to rupert i think is like 16 hours long but an awesome ride .

[darrin6109]

i would love to plan a hunting/fishing trip next year if anyone is interested pm me.

[Angel]

Did a little research and found that you can catch the Helijet from DT Vancouver and takes you right to QCI.... I called and they take hunters and people on fishing trips regularly. Seems like a good way to travel.

[Phil]

Talk about taging and bagging! Holy smoke pole, I've never seen so many lined up like that before. Nice work boys!

[stanway]

Way to go Derek! You guys had a blast - literally.:wink:

I am jealous. I really miss hunting QCI. Too bad it's so far away.

Cheers!

James