OK, a bit of an odd request for ideas but here goes. This October, for my full retirement (retired from military in 2012...now done with being a HS teacher) gift to me, I'm taking my father, son, and best buddy on a cow elk hunt (I'm bartender and photographer) in NM. Around the campfire we'll discuss our '22 adventure. Father, in his mid-80's wants something a bit more adventurous (we've done Africa and Alaska together...so Canada drop off on a lake is his suggestion), son's thinking maybe birds in Argentina (Juan Pozzi?), and my buddy needs it to be inexpensive. Buddy and I are leaning toward a Texas camping/hunting trip for a week (mulie_mike has some nice aoudad, javelina, quail options...perhaps as back-to-back hunts) or a horseback drop camp for fly fishing and maybe Blue Grouse (picking up a new English Setter pup in August this year) in the Rockies .

Surely you more experienced folks can add some suggestions and/or PM some offers my way to stimulate our October campfire discussions.

There are zero guarantees that the socialist government in Canada will open in 2022.

Your deposit will not be rolled forward if covid shuts it down again. Outfitters are running or fumes (the few that survived).

Pick a flyout in Alaska that you can hunt bears on.

Or hunt on a free range place in West Texas.

I suggest you let this be your compass:

quote:

...Father, in his mid-80's wants something a bit more adventurous...so Canada drop off on a lake is his suggestion...

But I have to agree with the comment nixing Canada and agree with the comment for a flyout in Alaska. It's not cheap but neither is it very expensive to pay for a floatplane to drop you next to a lake in Alaska and come back in a week to ten days to fly you out. You can arrange for a mid-stay checkup flight in case you want to get out early. You can rent a satellite telephone to communicate as needed. Also, the pre-planned checkup flight can bring needed essentials or deliver a pre-packed resupply. As long as you're hunting things like caribou, deer, and black bear you don't need to pay for a licensed guide. I made such a trip for eight days with an old army buddy. We used Rust's Flying Service but there are several companies that can take you. It will make a dream come true for the old man but will also give everyone experiences and comradery to remember.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
I suggest you let this be your compass:

quote:

...Father, in his mid-80's wants something a bit more adventurous...so Canada drop off on a lake is his suggestion...

But I have to agree with the comment nixing Canada and agree with the comment for a flyout in Alaska. It's not cheap but neither is it very expensive to pay for a floatplane to drop you next to a lake in Alaska and come back in a week to ten days to fly you out. You can arrange for a mid-stay checkup flight in case you want to get out early. You can rent a satellite telephone to communicate as needed. Also, the pre-planned checkup flight can bring needed essentials or deliver a pre-packed resupply. As long as you're hunting things like caribou, deer, and black bear you don't need to pay for a licensed guide. I made such a trip for eight days with an old army buddy. We used Rust's Flying Service but there are several companies that can take you. It will make a dream come true for the old man but will also give everyone experiences and comradery to remember.

This

While not a certainty but listening to the local news I think the border might be open to Canada by the end of this year as long as you're vaccinated. You might want to search for options in both places.

Thanks for the replies. Fortunately, I was stationed in AK and still have friends up there will to help with the planning.