Columbia Blacktail Deer backcountry trip.

[Redthies]

Hi all, I’ve been on a few deer trips over the past few years, and here in B.C. the terrain can be challenging. I and my younger friend Jared have gone on a few trips together, but this was the most interesting one yet. We only went about 4 hours from home, but that distance involved ferry and water-taxi rides as well as a fair bit of driving. We are the type of people that burn boot leather rather than hydrocarbons when we hunt, but this trip upped the ante a bit. 80 lb packs and coolers full of food and water meant for a lot of burned calories. Temps in the 40s in the daytime and low 20s overnight. I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking, but we finally got two deer down an hour before dark on our last full day. The pack out back to camp took about 5 hrs by headlamp...

[Redthies]

Some of the typical terrain:

[Redthies]

Day 3 success and a looong cold drag to camp. I built a travois out of green alder and we put both deer on that to avoid filling them up with “bush seasoning”!

[Redthies]

The red line is the route to camp, the blue line is the far end of where I walked on the afternoon hunt, and the green shows part of the morning hike. I’m glad my boots are comfortable!

[Rifletom]

Wow! that was an adventure to the max! Well done to both of you. Tough looking terrain there. Thanks for the pics and report.

[Redthies]

Thanks Tom! I can say I definitely have an exercise hangover today! It’s very difficult terrain, and the one positive is my cohort is feeling just as knackered as me, but he is 20 years younger!

[JEBar]

THANKS FOR THE PICTURES .... ruggedly beautiful country ..... congrats on downing two .... that should help pup some venison in the freezer .... what rifles were you hunting with ..

[CT_Shooter]

Awesome multi-post report on that hunting trip! Beautiful photos and text that really helped tell the story. Thanks for sharing it so well.

[Redthies]

Thanks guys! I was packing my Marlin 336 in .30-30 with the Skinner peep. No oriface in it so ghost ring style, and had my Nikon 1-4x quick detach scope. Jared was packing a Winchester model 70 in .30-06. Frankly, that is way too much gun for these smaller deer, and the meat loss from using that at close range was an eye opener. He understands a lot more about why I carry my .30-30 or .357 Henry in the tighter terrain where you won’t be taking the long shots.

[BigAl52]

Loved the photos and congrats on the deer. Im sure that made the entire trip all worth while. I bet by the end of the hunt your friend was feeling that 10lb 06. I know I carry a 338 and Im not to fond of packing it after about 3 miles let alone what you did. Enjoy those steaks. Thanks for the photos.

[North Country Gal]

I've traveled through B.C. and I think it has to be one of the most beautiful places on this planet. Your post reaffirms it. What a wonderful hunt, to boot. Very impressive. Thank you so much for sharing.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Nice adventure! If a 30-06 is a bit much for a Columbia blacktail just think what it would do to a sitka blacktail on Haida Gwaii!!

Anyway were you on the sunshine coast somewhere?

-Ed-

[Redthies]

Thanks NCG! We are very lucky to live here! There are many beautiful spots in this world but it’s true that BC is a special place.

Yes Ed, we were on Nelson Island. My folks used to live in Sechelt and kept our boats at Secret Cove so I know the area well. Are you in the area?

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Nanaimo. I've not been to many of those islands but have likely flown over them in a heli at some time or other.

-Ed-

[Hatchdog]

Congrats on cutting those two tags. That pic of the steaks in the pan is making my gut rumble.

I’ve lived in eastern Washington state for my entire life and I have NEVER traveled to costal BC. What a fool I am. I will change that in the near future, COVID permitting.

Thanks for sharing your pictures, that terrain is very appealing in this inlander. Beautiful......

[Redthies]

Ed, what do you do for the heli time? I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the egg beaters myself. I’ve got a couple of stories to tell...

Hatchdog, the dry side is nice too. I was born about a 1/2 mile north of the border above Spokane in Rossland, and hunt turkeys out there every year. If you head to the Olympic Penninsula you can get a taste of similar country.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Wildfire for the government. However I've been in helis off an on since 1977. Only 3 or 4 near death parts of flights an only 2 of those real close.

-Ed-

[Redthies]

Science I posted here last I’ve finished the butchering process (my first time doing it all) and am pleased with the results. Only got 30+ lbs of meat, but mostly steaks and roasts. Very little went to ground. I’ve always had a butcher on standby, but mine had a family “crisis” occur and bailed out. I think it was fortunate in some ways as it forced me to do it alone. I enjoyed the process, and the ability to manage exactly what cuts you get etc is priceless. The front shoulders were both pretty shot up, so probably lost 8-10 lbs of meat there. I gave the least shot up one to a friend’s dad who hasn’t got anything this year as a thank you for past deeds. He is pushing 80 and still goes out on his own for deer every year.

A stew fit for royalty with some fresh sour dough and a nice wine:

[JEBar]

nice .... very nice indeed ....