The big deer of BC's Coast

See similar things in my part of BC, lots of garbage left behind and the only time they (campers, partiers etc) go to the local shops are when they run out of beer.

I would really like to go to the QCI, when is the best time?
 
From what I have been told by a resident the days of deer everywhere over there are over. There has been an upsurge in black market hunting and pit lamping by some unsavory folks and there is not much being done to stop it. The numbers have been drastically reduced because of it.

Fish and wildlife cops have to seize whole moving trucks filled with 300+ dear headed for the mainland for sale something that locals absolutely despise

As for hunting at night just about everybody on Haida Gwaii does it mainly to save on the cost of gas it up around 1.65 L
Plus you eliminate the need to worry about loggers and logging trucks and it is a acceptable practice among local native and non-native hunters.
It is also common to see young kids hunting the deer with 22 LR
All nonresident hunters have to remember respect the local residents and they will respect you and have some fun and enjoy your visit
 
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See similar things in my part of BC, lots of garbage left behind and the only time they (campers, partiers etc) go to the local shops are when they run out of beer.

I would really like to go to the QCI, when is the best time?

Early November deer are in full rut
 
@carverk

Any recommendations on guides that offer combined hunting and accommodations on Haida Gwaii?

On Moresby Island there is one outfit
On Graham Island guiding rights is owned by the councils of the Haida nation which is totally against trophy hunting
But strongly support hunting for food and subsidence
There are plenty of hotels and some great camping
The bed-and-breakfast,s can be a great local resources
 
When is the weather most agreeable? Do things get filled up in august?

It's not too bad you have to remember that it is very remote part of Canada so you have to be well prepared
With climate change the weather has become unpredictable and the severity of our storms has increased
 
It'll likely be an august trip for me, possibly 2015. I'd go by myself in the fall but my wife would not forgive me (she wants to see the islands as well). Can't imagine how bad the storms must be, my uncle worked at a mine on the QCI and he said his accommodation had cable anchors over the roof.

Was just out shooting the SKS, it'd probably be perfect, the author of the chapter on blackmail that I posted recommended the 44-40.
 
Fish and wildlife cops have to seize whole moving trucks filled with 300+ dear headed for the mainland for sale something that locals absolutely despise

As for hunting at night just about everybody on Haida Gwaii does it mainly to save on the cost of gas it up around 1.65 L
Plus you eliminate the need to worry about loggers and logging trucks and it is a acceptable practice among local native and non-native hunters.
It is also common to see young kids hunting the deer with 22 LR
All nonresident hunters have to remember respect the local residents and they will respect you and have some fun and enjoy your visit

It may be accepted local practice, but it is still against the law. I have hunted Haida Gwaii many times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hunted the daytime, had no problem with the logging trucks when there were more trucks running than now in the depressed economy and hunted legally. "Local custom" back then was to by and large obey the law. What changed? I would be afraid to hunt there now with everyone thinking they can do what they please.
 
It may be accepted local practice, but it is still against the law. I have hunted Haida Gwaii many times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hunted the daytime, had no problem with the logging trucks when there were more trucks running than now in the depressed economy and hunted legally. "Local custom" back then was to by and large obey the law. What changed? I would be afraid to hunt there now with everyone thinking they can do what they please.

You know, within reason I'm a believer in that local customs and communities should have more say in what is acceptable, rather than a bureaucrat in Victoria.
 
It may be accepted local practice, but it is still against the law. I have hunted Haida Gwaii many times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hunted the daytime, had no problem with the logging trucks when there were more trucks running than now in the depressed economy and hunted legally. "Local custom" back then was to by and large obey the law. What changed? I would be afraid to hunt there now with everyone thinking they can do what they please.

We don't care if it is legal or not it is a common practice which has been safely practice for generations here by both native and non-native hunters alike
I have never heard of anyone getting hurt or Dying due to Hunting at night here on Haida Gwaii
Hunting for sport and hunting for food are two different things
When you have to eat you do what you have to do I never like it when people take the moral high road
Personally I never trust a man who never bent the rules a little bit just saying
 
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It'll likely be an august trip for me, possibly 2015. I'd go by myself in the fall but my wife would not forgive me (she wants to see the islands as well). Can't imagine how bad the storms must be, my uncle worked at a mine on the QCI and he said his accommodation had cable anchors over the roof.

Was just out shooting the SKS, it'd probably be perfect, the author of the chapter on blackmail that I posted recommended the 44-40.

A SKS is just about perfect rifle for the Island and are small deer
You wife will love it too
 
My Family is having a head stone moving in March I need To supply deer for 500 people both native and non-natives.
I will have to go hunting at night in order to feed the community
This is what we have dun for generations regardless of the law
It was not that long a go that potlatching was illegal and we still had potlatches
Back in the 70 it was illegal for Indians to organize so the native brotherhood (Union for native commercial fisherman )would have Secret meeting the RCMP would go banging on doors looking to arrest those terrible Indians for organizing
I'm proud of our history of standing up for ourselves and love my Islands anyone who respects that will always be welcome here
 
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Actually, the bag limit for deer on Haida Gwaii is 15 per year, with a possession limit of 5.

For the most part, the deer are quite small, but larger individuals show up from time to time.

I know of a couple of those blacktails that dressed at 140+ lbs, which is a decent blacktail, in anyone's books.

They are the best "eating" deer, IMHO. Very tasty.

Regards, Dave.

I have to agree - they are very tasty!
 
Can you truck drive across the ocean? The Ferry is long, I dont know how long. And they won't let you start your truck while you are on the ferry. I am not the expert but I have read packing ice will not help prevent spoiling of meat. Would like to know the solution if someone have successfully done this trip.
 
Can you truck drive across the ocean? The Ferry is long, I dont know how long. And they won't let you start your truck while you are on the ferry. I am not the expert but I have read packing ice will not help prevent spoiling of meat. Would like to know the solution if someone have successfully done

The ferry is a seven hour trip your meat will not spoil in 7hr
Most guys pack a freezer it will stay cold as long as you don't open it
If you have a generator you can fire it up when you get off the ferry or plug it in at your Hotel
 
I have only stated the truth in hopes to help a guy out who is thinking about taking his Family over for a hunting trip
We don't think of Haida Gwaii as part of BC and neither dos the rest BC ore Canada for that mater that's why we're always getting screwed by The feds and the province
Yes we are cynical and distrusting we are fishermen that have seen us squeezed out of a Industry that our forefathers thrived on
Now fishing licenses are owned by doctors and lawyers who never stepped on a boat !
 
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