After a small island buck, blacktail on the West coast.

[Ardent]

Going back to my roots, and want to hunt a mini buck, blacktail in one of the gulf islands likely. I've spent several years of my life on Saltspring, unfortunately deer hunting there is not what it once was simply due to landowners and we gave up our own land. Anyone have advice on a gulf island that still has some space open to hunting? I'm after a little 80lb buck, and can do bow if need be for the surroundings. Appreciate any info, plan to take my brother and go back in time to when we were young teens.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Texada Isle., but three Ferry rides is a PIA even with a free pass.
How long has it been since you owned property on SI?
Reason i ask is should there be some old family friends still around they might be able to set you up.
Every co-worker who goes to SI for a job find that there are many locals who are more than willing to give permission ...
low keyed permission of course...of course the Special Island Lic. is required too.
Just tossing the idea out there.
Rob

 

[Ardent]

About fifteen years, unfortunately both neighbours have passed away and we don't know the current owners from a hole in the ground. Been on Texada many times, will have to investigate.

 

[Pudelpointer]

Texada is a big island with a fair amount of deer, and you can take your vehicle. Some other options are Gambier Island in Howe Sound; most of the foreshore on the south side is private, but there are a couple government docks and there are a few trails/old logging roads (think peddle bike not quad). There is ferry service but BCferries has gotten real wierd about firearms, so I would figure out your own access.

Lots of uninhabited islands as you head north from Powell River. Most if not all have some deer, but you are looking at needing a good boat.

 

[jaydog]

Good at keeping secrets? I can provide a Texada honey hole......

 

[Ardent]

You bet I am, will be in touch. We have boats, big ones, so water access might even be better. We sailed up the outside of Van Isle a little while ago into the Broken Group, exactly what I'd like to hunt, but believe it's all protected.

 

[Pudelpointer]

In that case, I would head north from Hardy or South from Kitimat. Lots of Islands, lots of deer, lots of options.

 

[pete dobinson]

Sonora island north of Quadra island near Campbell river might be worth looking at. There used to be a lot of deer there, don't know what its like now though.

 

[Ardent]

Have gleaned all sorts of good stuff, thanks guys, should be good for this fall or next.

 

[MD]

Used to be lots of deer on Nigei Island north of Port Hardy, but there is a permanent floating dive resort now in the one bay with access to the old logging roads. I don't know what they think of guys with guns showing up as they probably think they own the place by now.

I accompanied my father there on his fishboat and wintessed my first ever deer shot in front of me there in 1964.