Author Topic: BC moose hunt (Read 2487 times)

ratherbefishin · « **on:** May 17, 2004, 04:43:44 AM »

I'm looking for a reasonably accessable area to hunt moose in BC,I've got to make a decision on what area to put in for in the next 3 weeks because the limted entry forms are due.I'm not really interested in record bulls- a 3 -4 year old would be just fine- I'm more interested in meat than antlers.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2004, 06:27:43 PM »

anybody hut the Bulkley river?

mcrae555 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2004, 05:59:12 AM »

Hey There

I won't be going this year but my family hunts the Mesilinka and Osilinka river area along Williston Lake(7-38). There is a good population of moose in there and lots of country to hunt! Four years ago we pulled a 55inch bull out of the area and always get at least one big bull every trip. But the majority of animals we have harvested are the 30 to 40 inch bulls. I shot my first moose a couple years ago on my 30th birthday up there so the area has a soft spot for me.

McRae555

mcrae555 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2004, 06:01:59 AM »

That Zone is 7-38 not sure how the emoticon got in there!

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2004, 06:45:08 AM »

What I would really like to find is a stretch of river to hunt from a canoe.We did float the swift river on the Yukon borderbut that's a long drive-27 hours.I'd like to find something closer if I could- Prince George -Quesnel area. is a lot closer.I don;t need a trophy bull- a good eating bull would sit me just fine

David Parenteau · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2004, 03:27:51 PM »

If you're interested in the PG area you might want to think about the Parsnip River.There's lots of long slow moving sections on it but I won't vouch for the whole thing.I talked to several jet boat operators who learned to operate on the Parsnip because it was a slow moving,forgiving river.The last guys I talked to who had been there had gone 4 for 4 on the river while hunting moose.No big ones but 4 really nice eaters.LEH of course.
Also had friends float the Chilcotin River in two canoes and take two moose along the river.LEH there as well now!
Dave

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2004, 06:17:40 PM »

what section is the Parsnip river in?I would be most happy to get an''eating moose''-you can't eat horns! A nice 3 yearold bull would suit me just fine.I think all of southern BC is limited entry now anyway, apart from immature bulls.

David Parenteau · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2004, 07:50:56 PM »

The Parsnip crosses the highway north of PG at McKenzie Junction.Heading east its bordered by M.U.'s7-23 and 7-16 and as you head further east it's bordered by 7-18 and 7-17.The McGregor River is the border between 7-16 and 7-17 and it's pretty descent moose country as well.
Dave

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2004, 11:49:40 AM »

so- is that where you would launch a canoe- at the highway crossing? I have a 19' gruman freighter canoe with a 6hp outboard.I would prefer to find a place to establish a base camp and hunt out from there each day.[hopefully where there are no rapids]

David Parenteau · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2004, 01:37:43 PM »

The crossing is about 1/2 a mile south of Mackenzie Junction,which has a hotel,restaurant and gas station.The river can be hunted east or west,with east being by far the longest section.I've got two groups of friends who hunt this area without the use of ATV's because they've found pretty good access.One group uses a river boat and has had a lot of success hunting right on the river.Talk to one of the biologists or C.O's who work out of PG or Mackenzie and ask them about access and river conditions.They are usually pretty good with info because they don't want to have to send Search and Rescue out after hunters who find themselves in trouble.
If you really want a good float trip and don't mind travelling a bit(lot) further,you might want to consider doing a float trip down the Minaker River to the Prophet River.You can pull out at Prophet River or continue up to the Muskwa if you want.Pretty safe water that you might want to do with inflatables rather than a canoe.The Prophet has some really shallow spots.This is the country that I hunt and there are a lot of really big bull moose and some pretty good bull elk up here as well.No LEH required.The early season is open for any bull moose and 3 point or better elk.The moose must be immature or tri-palm,and the elk must be 6 point or better after the early season.Best hunting is from late September on.
Dave

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2004, 04:41:21 PM »

thanks- as I said, I'm not particularly interested in the biggest moose- a 3 year old bull would do nicely.If I had my druthers, I'd look for a place where I can hunt from the canoe and transport the quarters back to camp that way- I'm not into packing a moose off any mountain, or out of a swamp.Mainly of course, I'd like a place to go for a good hunt with my boys, camp out, cook, sit around a fire, stuff like that.If I go anywhere in southern BC, I'll have to get my Limited entry card in pretty quick

Rmouleart · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:45:46 AM »

If you really interested in a trophy bull, you need a guide that has been keeping one in his sights for you to shoot, know right wear to get him;)
www.bchunter.com is one of the best outfitters in BC, check out there site you will be impressed with there trophy game they have produced over the years, I highly recommend them for a trophy moose hunt. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:22:51 AM »

no, a trophy moose is not in my sights- a nice ''eating bull'' would make me very happy.I look at it this way, I like to get out with my boys, have a good safehunt, enjoy some camping, outdoor cooking, and see some game.Hopefully get a clean shot at an annimal.After that the work begins , and if all goes well, some very fine table fare over the winter.A nice 3-4 year old bull should meet that criteria.I don't have an ATV, butI do have a couple of freighter canoes with 6hp outboards.So-I am looking for either a lake or river to hunt.Got to make a decision quickly, as the LEH forms are due in shortly

Rmouleart · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:47:40 AM »

Sounds like some good times, If thats the case get a cow tag, better table fair, more cows than bulls, plenty of meat to go around, cows are much better table fair than the bulls, if they are in rut they smell really bad as well, males tend to wallow in there urine during that time, type of mateing thing;) Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:25:07 AM »

I shot a nice young bull at Kinbasket lake several years ago-but that was the only moose we saw, I'd like to go some place where we could at least see more annimals. Last year[ lastweek of september]we went to the Swiftriver on the Yukon border- but it was very warm and although the other party got two bulls[ they stayed longer] we didn't even see one cow- which I thought there would at least be on the river.The advantage there is it was''any bull''-not LEH. But that's a longdrive from Vancouver Island.That's why I thought maybe trying in the Prince George area might be worth a try- if I could get a draw[ we're going to put in for a ''group hunt''which are supposed to have better odds

David Parenteau · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2004, 01:34:11 PM »

Where abouts on Vancouver Island are you located?
Dave

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2004, 02:07:44 PM »

victoria

David Parenteau · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2004, 03:03:23 PM »

Almost a neighbor!
Dave

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2004, 07:00:28 PM »

I used to hunt on the island before the wolves got 90% of the deer-although I hear they are coming back in the bush.The bulk of the deer are now in the rural areas, places we never saw them years ago.Just about impossable to have a garden, they even stand on thier hind legs and eat my hanging baskets.The cougars are following the deer, too- we get numerous sightings a year now- way more than when I was a kid when a cougar sighting in town was a rarety.I think the wolves being pack animals put pressure on the cougars which apart from females with kittens, tend to be solitary

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2004, 04:25:12 AM »

A shared hunt with my boy in 5-13c[Nazko river area west of Quenell] I haven't hunted that area, anybody know what the country is like-topography, etc? Do you hunt slashes, rivers, lakes etc?

bcboy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2004, 07:12:48 PM »

I did 5-13 last yr.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2004, 02:48:21 PM »

What's the country like in 5-13?

eroyd · « **Reply #22 on:** July 19, 2004, 09:24:56 AM »

5-13 is rolling hills or low mountains forest land. No above tree line/alpine area's. Lot's of logged of area's that are now growing back pretty thick. Not a particularly swampy area but there area a few. It's actually been fairly dry the times I've been there. In the small area we hunt we have always got a bull and seen others. Some decent muley's around, black bear and even the odd grizz. Lots of birds.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #23 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:38:58 AM »

I've got a shared hunt tag for a bull, good up to October 1, so I booked a cabin at Fishpot lake camp for the last week of September.
Do you hunt off logging roads, or do you need an atv?I'm going to try calling, see if I can bring a bull in so my son can get a shot.Early in the rut the younger bulls may respond- which is what I want anyway- a 3 year old would suit me just fine. If there;s mule deer there I;ll take a tag along as well

eroyd · « **Reply #24 on:** July 20, 2004, 09:01:54 AM »

My experience with 5-13 is pretty much all east of the Nazko river but I think your area will be pretty much the same. I presume as you get further west nearer to Tweedsmuir the terrain will become more mountainous.

We basically drive roads to cover ground and then when we find likely spots we walk in and sit. Look for sneaky little spur roads that appear to be nothing but actually access discreet cutblocks. These out-of-the-way spots are favoured browsing spots. Late Sept is good, especially if you get a cold snap, bulls can definately be rutting then. Definately get a Muley tag! Bird hunting can be good as well, and a great way to kill the mid-day doldrums if the weathers hot.

Note:much of the area is closed to ATV use.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #25 on:** July 20, 2004, 11:46:23 AM »

many thanks- I am looking forward to some time in the field with my kid and hopefully see some game.I will ge the muley tag-and what about whitetails?

eroyd · « **Reply #26 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:45:55 PM »

I've never seen any whitetails in that country though I was told there was a bunch over in the farm land on the extreme east side of that M.U. along the Fraser River. If your into bears, I did see a cinamon phase black bear in the region. Good Luck!

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #27 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:40:07 PM »

I do like a fall bear, preferably one that has been on berries.The hams are especially good when smoked, and we make the rest into sausage and pepperoni.I've seen some Cinnemon phase black bears up inthe Mabel lake area[ my other boy lives in Kelowna, and we go on a hunt there once or twice a year]
But this trip tp 5-13 is hopefully for a moose, but a nice muley would be very welcome too.AsI said, not knowing the area, we decided to take a cabin at Fishpot lake resort, they are set up for hunters and supply some local maps.I figured $50 a night was reasonable- especialy for having the luxury of a hot shower!

bcboy · « **Reply #28 on:** August 08, 2004, 07:52:38 PM »

Good idea to stay at fishpot lake. I saw a lot of moose and mostly from the road. Damm logging roads have speed limit signs :lol:
I would not waste my time with a whitetail tag, and the muley hunting was I saw marginal.
Best of luck.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #29 on:** August 09, 2004, 04:40:32 AM »

as I said, I've never even been in that part of BC, Isaw the Fishpot lake website, and put a LEH in for 5-13, and we were lucky enough to get a shared hunt draw.
I haven't done a lot of moose hunting- we got a nice 3 year old bull at Kinasket lake a few years ago, but thatwas the only moose we saw.I drifted Swift river last september , but time was limited and although the party we were with got 2 bulls, we didn't connect.
When you say driving logging roads- do you mean actually hunting from the truck-spotting and shooting- or do you go into a likely slash and sit?The end of september should see the rut just starting, I'd like to try calling, if thatworks.And- I do have access to a quad, but are they neccesary there?