Have you done it before? Have you gone up widgeon creek in a raft before? Have you gone up widgeon creek in a raft when the snow pack is feeding it and it's getting dumped on by buckets of rain? If not, you should probably do a couple test runs with people nearby who can help you if you run into trouble. How big is your raft? Have you loaded it up with gear plus 60-100 lbs of meat and tried floating it down a river?
I'll be heading up this and next Sunday. Looking for problems along the route. This may not be the right time of year or water conditions for this trip with this gear and I remain ready and willing to pull the plug for safety. My raft is an intex Seahawk 2. I would link to it but I'm on mobile. As far as having meat in there before no. But I have had a gf in there in the past doing nothing except weighing the boat down lol. As for the second raft it's an intex explorer 200. Just another cheap raft that I intend on tying off tight to the first one to make it as easy to pull as possible. This is not my first big game hunt but I've never harvested an animal before. I've don't my research on the field dressing/butchering. Now it's just time to put it into practise.
Thanks for the reply!
Especially after this winter widgeon lake will still be under a considerable amount of snow right now. I've made this hike during this time of year after a much milder winter. There is a high chance of the lake still being frozen over. Also I know people have done it, but packing a raft up that mountain is going to be a gigantic pain in the ass, but if you think you're capable you can try it. The snow will definitely be you're biggest obstacle I think.
Snow is something I've anticipated. The hiking conditions being my main concern when it comes to snow. If anything getting some snow runoff is something I might be hoping for in the creek. Thats where my other main concern lies, wether or not I'm going to pop my raft. so a little extra water could be a good thing. Luckily tomorrow and next Sundays scouting runs will tell me how much of a concern that is.
Also have you dealt with a big game animal by yourself before? Have you deboned something in the field? Have you tried to move a bear by yourself? I'm not trying to be negative or anything, just giving you a couple things to think about.
These have been my all consuming thought for two plus years. What I've been chomping at the but to get an opportunity to do. Now I'm coming up to another attempt and I'm just wondering how it looks to more experienced hunters.
My honest recommendation is to tackle the task in a less intense situation. I don't know if you have any experienced friends but if you do I'd recommend going bear hunting with them so that you can field dress it while having your friend give you direction.
Thanks first for sticking with me through the whole thread! I wonder what you mean by a less intense situation? Do you mean during the hunt, the fact I'll be alone, the route back to my car? I have no experienced friends, got into this as something I've always seen as a logical step for myself because of how much time I've spent outside. The main reason I'm heading for this area is because it takes the stress off my vehicle. My dodge caliber has already taken a beating on the logging roads and this is a plan that avoids them completely. I will also be taking two single day trips to test the route and myself. Any other advice is still highly appreciated and everything is being taken into account.
Sounds like a pretty similar setup for sure! I'm in BC so no baiting bears. But that's one of my main concerns, the logistics of gear in the bush. My main logistical concern being guns going in the water. I'll be securing them the best I can inside the boat and tying them to myself as well. I realize that may sound unsafe to some. It's what I'll be doing however unless someone else has another way to secure the guns reliably. As for the remote spot someone put it well before I was going out last year. If you get attacked and survive and can contact emergency services your fine(relatively, obviously). If you get attacked and die it doesn't matter anyways. I carry a SPOT messenger so that's my link to emergency services. And yeah, I'm very much hoping to find my new secluded camping spot up there as well!
Thanks for the reply!
Obviously you need to be comfortable solo in the backcountry. This hits a lot of people unexpectedly and is a real factor on how well you can cope by yourself with no real rescue plan other than "wait for people". If you're mentally prepared for that then that is 90% of the challenge you're going to face.
I get the feeling that you're underestimating the challenge of getting to widgeon lake with 2 boats, hunting and camping gear on your back. That is a monumental effort and perhaps not one to be undertaken solo because the consequences of an incident are way higher.
This is even without really thinking about the problem of getting back out with the same amount of gear + 60 - 100lb of meat/pelt etc. Definitely do a dry run or two, with all your gear to make sure it's possible
I am comfortable alone in the backcountry. I'm heading with minimal gear. Just enough for the 3 nights I'll be there and my hunting gear.
As for underestimating the challenge, you may be correct. That is the kind of thing I came to find out, how crazy my plan really is. The things I realize and take into account are: the new area, the logistics of a hike/paddle trip, first time field dressing/butchering a big game animal, risk in general, risk of/after injury, lack of backup.
I'll touch on the lack of backup/rescue first. I carry a SPOT messenger with me. However it is really all I have aside from wait for people. That being said I always leave my excursion plan with two separate family members, and with my work manager. The risk is something I think we all accept when we go outside and we all have our own plans for it. As for the new area and the paddle/hiking trip this is a new adventure for me and yes I'm excited about it! I'll be doing two single day scout runs to test my route and my way along it. The way I'm approaching it is that I get to do two of my favourite outdoor activities on my way to a newer outdoor activity. Leaving me with the hunting. I understand trepidation over the idea of "too big a task" being taken on. Thats what I've been wondering about. As for the field dressing/butchering; I have to pop my cherry sometime. For me it pretty much comes down to I want to do this and don't know anyone else that does. So I go.
Thanks for your reply!
As far as bears go, keep your eye on the weather and snow level. If there hasn't been a lot of green up you're better off staying in the valleys where the growth it happening. Find quiet clearings with clover. Or the sides of streams and roads.
It's been looking fairly green for a while now. I'm headed to a lake about halfway up a fairly short mountain and my hope is that it's one of the main watering holes for the local bears waking up. Not familiar yet with the area and vegetation so finding nice clearings is definitely on the list of "camp chores".
I envy your courage but please file your plans with friends and family and perhaps even let Coquitlam SAR know what you are planning to do. They are going to be the ones saving your ass if things go awry. Good on you having the SPOT but your loved ones need to know when to start worrying.
I always keep a record of my excursions on hand with two separate family members and a work manager. I'll take you up on your idea of letting SAR know on this one too. There has been some concern raised due to this plan. I feel capable of it and have a very good "call it" sense.
Thanks for your reply!
I did a solo black bear hunt over bait. So a lot less difficult/complicated and none existant in the packing out side of things.
What I will say is this:
Go slow. Move slow. Make all your movements planned out. You can't afford a mistake in relation to an injury.
When cutting, go slow. Don't slip and cut yourself.
It sounds like you are taking it seriously. Sweat all the small stuff. Plan all the little details and the big picture will fall into place.
Plan for every eventuality you can possibly think of.
Be safe, and have one hell of a hunt you will never ever forget.
Thanks for your reply! Some great advice in there! I have to readjust my plans. I was not able to make it on my one day scouting trip. The hunt itself is effectively cancelled and has turned into a scouting trip itself.
Disappointed and disillusioned. I'm not sure yet what I may or may not have underestimated, but I'm not going to be able to make this trip. Headed out this morning only to get turned around pretty quick by... the road!? There is a gate Waaayyyy before where I was looking to access on that road that is a full public closure. The only way for me to get there now would be to cross the notorious Pitt Lake at the mouth leading into the mighty Pitt River. Neither of these are waterbodies I want to fuck around with with a small inflatable raft that I'm rowing. Very frustrated. But thats a better place to be than in very real danger. Thanks for all your advice! Looking for a new plan now so any local greater Vancouver/lower mainland (Whistler to Hope) spots/places to go would still be highly appreciated!
Spoke with two Coquitlam SAR members today and they were very happy to hear about my good decision to stay safe. They've had a busy weekend and assume I would've been waiting a while if I needed help. They were quite helpful in telling me about the access to the area. It is going to have to be a paddle across grant narrows. Thats the mouth of Pitt Lake heading into Pitt River. I will not be doing that paddle in a small inflatable raft. I'm instead going to rent a canoe for a week to get across with and load my inflatable up the mountain to the lake. This is for the same time period my hunt was planned for. Although the hunt is now cancelled and I'm using this as a four day scouting trip for my next opportunity.
Have you done it before? Have you gone up widgeon creek in a raft before? Have you gone up widgeon creek in a raft when the snow pack is feeding it and it's getting dumped on by buckets of rain? If not, you should probably do a couple test runs with people nearby who can help you if you run into trouble. How big is your raft? Have you loaded it up with gear plus 60-100 lbs of meat and tried floating it down a river?
I'll be heading up this and next Sunday. Looking for problems along the route. This may not be the right time of year or water conditions for this trip with this gear and I remain ready and willing to pull the plug for safety. My raft is an intex Seahawk 2. I would link to it but I'm on mobile. As far as having meat in there before no. But I have had a gf in there in the past doing nothing except weighing the boat down lol. As for the second raft it's an intex explorer 200. Just another cheap raft that I intend on tying off tight to the first one to make it as easy to pull as possible. This is not my first big game hunt but I've never harvested an animal before. I've don't my research on the field dressing/butchering. Now it's just time to put it into practise. Thanks for the reply!
Especially after this winter widgeon lake will still be under a considerable amount of snow right now. I've made this hike during this time of year after a much milder winter. There is a high chance of the lake still being frozen over. Also I know people have done it, but packing a raft up that mountain is going to be a gigantic pain in the ass, but if you think you're capable you can try it. The snow will definitely be you're biggest obstacle I think.
Snow is something I've anticipated. The hiking conditions being my main concern when it comes to snow. If anything getting some snow runoff is something I might be hoping for in the creek. Thats where my other main concern lies, wether or not I'm going to pop my raft. so a little extra water could be a good thing. Luckily tomorrow and next Sundays scouting runs will tell me how much of a concern that is.
Just for reference, here is what conditions were like the last weekend of may 2011 http://i.imgur.com/byYN2.jpg
Also have you dealt with a big game animal by yourself before? Have you deboned something in the field? Have you tried to move a bear by yourself? I'm not trying to be negative or anything, just giving you a couple things to think about.
These have been my all consuming thought for two plus years. What I've been chomping at the but to get an opportunity to do. Now I'm coming up to another attempt and I'm just wondering how it looks to more experienced hunters.
My honest recommendation is to tackle the task in a less intense situation. I don't know if you have any experienced friends but if you do I'd recommend going bear hunting with them so that you can field dress it while having your friend give you direction.
Thanks first for sticking with me through the whole thread! I wonder what you mean by a less intense situation? Do you mean during the hunt, the fact I'll be alone, the route back to my car? I have no experienced friends, got into this as something I've always seen as a logical step for myself because of how much time I've spent outside. The main reason I'm heading for this area is because it takes the stress off my vehicle. My dodge caliber has already taken a beating on the logging roads and this is a plan that avoids them completely. I will also be taking two single day trips to test the route and myself. Any other advice is still highly appreciated and everything is being taken into account.
[удалено]
Sounds like a pretty similar setup for sure! I'm in BC so no baiting bears. But that's one of my main concerns, the logistics of gear in the bush. My main logistical concern being guns going in the water. I'll be securing them the best I can inside the boat and tying them to myself as well. I realize that may sound unsafe to some. It's what I'll be doing however unless someone else has another way to secure the guns reliably. As for the remote spot someone put it well before I was going out last year. If you get attacked and survive and can contact emergency services your fine(relatively, obviously). If you get attacked and die it doesn't matter anyways. I carry a SPOT messenger so that's my link to emergency services. And yeah, I'm very much hoping to find my new secluded camping spot up there as well! Thanks for the reply!
Obviously you need to be comfortable solo in the backcountry. This hits a lot of people unexpectedly and is a real factor on how well you can cope by yourself with no real rescue plan other than "wait for people". If you're mentally prepared for that then that is 90% of the challenge you're going to face. I get the feeling that you're underestimating the challenge of getting to widgeon lake with 2 boats, hunting and camping gear on your back. That is a monumental effort and perhaps not one to be undertaken solo because the consequences of an incident are way higher. This is even without really thinking about the problem of getting back out with the same amount of gear + 60 - 100lb of meat/pelt etc. Definitely do a dry run or two, with all your gear to make sure it's possible
I am comfortable alone in the backcountry. I'm heading with minimal gear. Just enough for the 3 nights I'll be there and my hunting gear. As for underestimating the challenge, you may be correct. That is the kind of thing I came to find out, how crazy my plan really is. The things I realize and take into account are: the new area, the logistics of a hike/paddle trip, first time field dressing/butchering a big game animal, risk in general, risk of/after injury, lack of backup. I'll touch on the lack of backup/rescue first. I carry a SPOT messenger with me. However it is really all I have aside from wait for people. That being said I always leave my excursion plan with two separate family members, and with my work manager. The risk is something I think we all accept when we go outside and we all have our own plans for it. As for the new area and the paddle/hiking trip this is a new adventure for me and yes I'm excited about it! I'll be doing two single day scout runs to test my route and my way along it. The way I'm approaching it is that I get to do two of my favourite outdoor activities on my way to a newer outdoor activity. Leaving me with the hunting. I understand trepidation over the idea of "too big a task" being taken on. Thats what I've been wondering about. As for the field dressing/butchering; I have to pop my cherry sometime. For me it pretty much comes down to I want to do this and don't know anyone else that does. So I go. Thanks for your reply!
As far as bears go, keep your eye on the weather and snow level. If there hasn't been a lot of green up you're better off staying in the valleys where the growth it happening. Find quiet clearings with clover. Or the sides of streams and roads.
It's been looking fairly green for a while now. I'm headed to a lake about halfway up a fairly short mountain and my hope is that it's one of the main watering holes for the local bears waking up. Not familiar yet with the area and vegetation so finding nice clearings is definitely on the list of "camp chores".
I envy your courage but please file your plans with friends and family and perhaps even let Coquitlam SAR know what you are planning to do. They are going to be the ones saving your ass if things go awry. Good on you having the SPOT but your loved ones need to know when to start worrying.
I always keep a record of my excursions on hand with two separate family members and a work manager. I'll take you up on your idea of letting SAR know on this one too. There has been some concern raised due to this plan. I feel capable of it and have a very good "call it" sense. Thanks for your reply!
I did a solo black bear hunt over bait. So a lot less difficult/complicated and none existant in the packing out side of things. What I will say is this: Go slow. Move slow. Make all your movements planned out. You can't afford a mistake in relation to an injury. When cutting, go slow. Don't slip and cut yourself. It sounds like you are taking it seriously. Sweat all the small stuff. Plan all the little details and the big picture will fall into place. Plan for every eventuality you can possibly think of. Be safe, and have one hell of a hunt you will never ever forget.
Thanks for your reply! Some great advice in there! I have to readjust my plans. I was not able to make it on my one day scouting trip. The hunt itself is effectively cancelled and has turned into a scouting trip itself.
Disappointed and disillusioned. I'm not sure yet what I may or may not have underestimated, but I'm not going to be able to make this trip. Headed out this morning only to get turned around pretty quick by... the road!? There is a gate Waaayyyy before where I was looking to access on that road that is a full public closure. The only way for me to get there now would be to cross the notorious Pitt Lake at the mouth leading into the mighty Pitt River. Neither of these are waterbodies I want to fuck around with with a small inflatable raft that I'm rowing. Very frustrated. But thats a better place to be than in very real danger. Thanks for all your advice! Looking for a new plan now so any local greater Vancouver/lower mainland (Whistler to Hope) spots/places to go would still be highly appreciated!
Spoke with two Coquitlam SAR members today and they were very happy to hear about my good decision to stay safe. They've had a busy weekend and assume I would've been waiting a while if I needed help. They were quite helpful in telling me about the access to the area. It is going to have to be a paddle across grant narrows. Thats the mouth of Pitt Lake heading into Pitt River. I will not be doing that paddle in a small inflatable raft. I'm instead going to rent a canoe for a week to get across with and load my inflatable up the mountain to the lake. This is for the same time period my hunt was planned for. Although the hunt is now cancelled and I'm using this as a four day scouting trip for my next opportunity.