I posted this in the bowhunting section.. I'm thinking I should ask here too. Does anyone have experience in chartering a plane for hunting in Alberta.

My thoughts: to charter a plane for 4 guys or so and get dropped off on a nice lakeshore for a couple weeks of hunting next fall. An acquaintance booked a charter out of Ft. Mcmurray and did a 10 day canoe trip. The charge was $1000 per flying hour. They strapped the canoes onto the floats. I think thats pretty reasonable split between 3 or 4 guys. It might take an extra trip on the way out if everyone gets a moose. The payload of the plane they used was 1800 lbs of gear in addition to the six passengers the plane could carry. I also have a crazy cropdusting buddy who has a couple small planes that a guy could probably use for a little scouting....although I think any lake would be good.

Any thoughts?

the chef

Chef, try Air Mikisew out of Ft. Mac and see what they have to say about rates, weights and places. We charter a variety of planes from them for work and they have always been great. And, it is easy to get drawn for bull moose in the NE WMU's. Densities are low compared to the southerly MU's with mixed wood habitats, but you should have no competition other than wolves, and if you time your trip during the calling season (as the season permits), you should get your bull. In a 5 day trip with four hunters, two of you should get bulls. By the way, because both hunting pressure and moose densities are relativley low for the remote portions of NE WMU's, the mean age of bulls should be older and trophy quality 'should' be better.

Thanks for the tip Matt.
We usually go north of the firebag river on quads, but I'd really like to try a fly in trip. You're right about the densities and the ease of getting drawn. we've taken some very big moose from that area. I also wouldn't mind doing something around ft.Chip--those buffalo are really calling to me.

Ideas from anyone else would be appreciated. Especially if you've done it yourself.

the chef

I'm in if you guys go for buffalo.

My friend shot a big moose floating the firebag on a jet-boat; though that was about 6 years ago.

I've done both the Wapiti and the Smokey Rivers by boat and if you time it right, it can be a fun hunt. We also did part of the Simonette river. We just rented a boat and did it. Nothing special-P.M. me if you want details, as I will have to look at a topo map or two to refresh my memory as to where we launched from.

Definitely do a fly in- it is a great way to get away from it all. I've done fly-ins in Quebec and have not seen another hunter yet!

Best of success.

Chef the Bison are at Ronald Lake south of WBNP. They are hit and miss, depending on the triggers that cause them to move, which are most likely snow depth and sedge availability. The ungulate census two years ago report about 20-30 there but they could just as easily go back to the park at any time of year. The probability of a mature bull being infected with Bovine TB or Brucellosis is very high, so care must be taken when processing. Basically the few guys I know that are targetting the bison are going in late february on snow machines, cutting a track, then following up on it. There are a select number of other sites outside the park that I am aware of, but send me a p.m . I am in Chip every year and have flown into the shield quite a bit. I know the firebag area as well.

All the best