7-39, 7-40 Toodoggone, Finlay Area 2012 Hunt

[Blair]

My brother and I are starting to formulate plans for our 2012 hunt and are considering the Finlay River - Toodoggone River area in the Omineca (MUs 7-39 and 7-40). We will haul horses as far as we can and then go on horseback from there. We are just wondering who can tell us about the road conditions into this area. Obviously, the road as far as Kemess Mine will be good, but how much farther can you expect to get with a Ford F350 hauling a horse trailer? My brother has been there before, but it was many years ago so the road situation could be quite different.
Any information about the roads and / or hunting in this area would be appreciated. Thanks.

[kennyj]

I drove about 1 hour past the kemess mine last year. Thats about as far as you could tow a horse trailer.
kenny

[Blair]

Has anyone else been up there in the last year or two?

[vip_ruger]

keenyj is correct i was up there last year , the road would be slow going hauling a horse trailer after the airstrip there was a couple of bank slides and it gets pretty skinny

[Blair]

Thanks Kenny and vip_ruger. We've got lots of time to plan before September.

[nap]

keenyj is correct i was up there last year and we just quaded from the airstrip the road would be slow going hauling a horse trailer after the airstrip there was a couple of bank slides and it gets pretty skinny

Hey guys is that the air strip at right across the road going up to black lake and if you were to go straight past takes you to the old cheni mine site.

[Rackmastr]

I'd love to head up that way one day. Used to guide in the area toward Kemess but never been that far. I hunted further east for the most part.

I'm assuming most guys head that way looking for sheep? Cant say I know the terrain at all but guessing its gotta get good up that way when you get north....

Good luck on the trip!

[Benthos]

there are atv restrictions through a lot of the area i believe, so check those. roads were okay last year, i was up through the area working. that being said, kemess mine is now closed and not producing. there is still some care and maintenance activity, but not sure how well the main haul road is being taken care of given they aren't hauling anymore. saw some cranker moose up there last year, although, they were all on the mine sites ;)

lots of grizzly bears around

[swampthing]

No atvs allowed in 7-39. I found the road was better after they quit hauling. Word is mine will be open again before too long.

[swampthing]

Yes nap, that is the road.

[hellojello74]

that is a long ways back, how many kms is it from Mackenzie? seems pretty remote

[Benthos]

mine won't reopen for awhile, i would say 3-4 years minimum

[Laurence_Erickson]

mackenzie to sturdy airstrip is somewhere around 450 km.Cannot remember exactly but have been there many times

[Benthos]

mackenzie to sturdy airstrip is somewhere around 450 km.Cannot remember exactly but have been there many times

that's probably close. last time i drove to sturdy was in 2010 from pg, and it was about 7-8hrs i think

[hillclimber]

on google earth there is a picture of what looks like a resort or maybe a GO on Black Lake. I can't find a website online if anyone has a link could you PM me it? Thanks

[vip_ruger]

There is and outfitter right before the mine on the right hand side

[Benthos]

ya, it is a guideoutfitter on Black Lake. don't know the outfit name though

[pescado]

Findlay River Outfitters. At least they use to have that area. Is there still a toll on the road??

[BULLNUTTS]

The outfitter is a Great fella named Rick Solmanson at Blackie Lake.Outfit is called Claw Mountain Outfitters.They have a website as well for more info.At last I knew there was as well as vehicle restrictions in 7-39 there is also elevation restrictions that go with it.I believe lawyers pass is the point where elevation closure is.[also where the road is dug out] although i missed going up this passed year.If yo need more info or have questions feel free to pm me and will gladly help out. and yes its 450-480km from mackenzie,so make your list and check it twice as santa would say lol cheers BULLNUTTS

[Blair]

So I was looking at the regs for zone 7-39. The whole zone (almost) has GOS for 5-point bulls. Then there is a little area in the middle where they have LEH for any bull. Does anyone know what the difference is with that area? What is so special or different about this area (7-39 zone D).

[Geo.338]

There are no roads in the LEH area .It is the only draw for the species left also.

[swampthing]

I dont think there is much of an elk population in there.

[joew]

stayed at black lake last year good cabin.rick is a good guy. would be a long haul with horses but they haul them in every year. you will not be able to pull a trailer passed sturdy air strip and there is a gate just passed black lake for the mine

[Blair]

Thanks to everyone for all the good info. We are sure looking forward to getting into that country.