Moose hunt trip: Florida to Manning, AB

[A207X2]

I’ve got a moose hunt booked end of Sept/1st week of October. I’ll be driving my F350 DRW 2WD and pulling a flatbed single axle trailer. The trip planner wants to take me through S. Dakota, N. Dakota, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton.

Another route takes me up to Montana, cross at Sweet Grass, AB then north on 2 to Manning. Which route in your opinion would be better?

Once I get to Manning I’ll be driving on unpaved logging roads for about 100 km until I get to camp.

How will Hwy 2 be north of Edmonton? Right now I have Continental highway tires on the truck. Should I change them out for all-terrain tires?

Thanks.

[roper1]

Done the trip a few times either way, I would definitely go through Montana & cross at Coutts. Coutts has a much larger, busier, informed border crossing going both ways than North Portal does.

Late Sep, early Oct might not be too tough roads, but you just won't see many 2WD trucks up there, much less a dually 2WD. You might truly get stranded with that rig, best of luck!

[Desert Eagle]

I can’t help you with the route up here, but I can tell you that Chinchaga road west of manning can get bad quick if we get rain. You won’t want to do it with regular highway tires if there is rain or a wet fall.

Highway 2 north of Edmonton will take you west on highway 43 and up through peace River I assume. The highway will be good, there might be a few rough spots, but will all be high grade highway. It is once you turn off from Manning that it can get interesting. (It could also be a normal high grade gravel road f it is nice and dry out.

My dad was up a few years ago with a 4x4 with brand new all terrain tires and he had to chain up to get up a couple of the hills around km 100.

It is beautiful country, but it can get pretty rugged if it is wet.

We were. Bit further north and a party was camped a ways further in than us and they had to offload their trailers and drive ATV’s out separate as the truck couldn’t get down the road with them on the trailer.

[MooseRiverTrapper]

I’d go with the all terrains for the gravel you will hit north of manning. You could get lucky and more than likely have a dry fall.

[ramonmark]

I'd do the Montana route. And have fun, the chin is a good road you'll be fine. It can get bad after rain but I'm assuming you're guide knows more about your exact location than anyone on the interweb does. It just blows my mind how fortunately we are to live in Canada for our hunting. I go down that road every year and don't think twice you're driving across the US. Salute to your sir.

[HappyHunter]

I am by Edmonton and did a quick estimation back to Florida. You will have close to 2 days of solid driving. The fastest route was the one through Saskatchewan and then the n/s Dakota as you indicated. You have lots of driving either way so the scenary will be up to you. Mountains through Montana or flat prairie the other way.
As for tires you will have paved highways to Manning. The concern will be if things get wet from rain or snow. Especially on the logging roads, they turn to grease really quick, depending on how the roads were built. Even some all terrains struggle when the treads cannot shed the mud. Travel would be very slow if at all. If things are dry no problem. Ideal option would be a coarser all season and a cheap set of chains, return them if you dont use them. I am considering that you have a warm climate back in Florida and most of your travel will be highway. To buy a set of tires just for the trip and shred due to heat and pavement really seems like a waste. But it's also a hunt your spending good money on.
My 2 cents, hope you have an awesome hunt.

[300magman]

Ive done both routes (not from Florida, but from Wisconsin.....usually go through Sask, but detoured once to see Mt Rushmore and the missile museum by Mitchell SD and took the Montana route from there). Can say without question the Montana route is better for scenery, the sask route is better for time, so guess its whats important to you.

As others have said, get the AT's and set of chains. If it gets wet and turns to snot on you then you'll be happy you did. or, work something out with your outfitter or host to meet you in Manning and bring you in/out and save yourself the headache or cost of new tires. Could get lucky and its dry for the duration, or could get in with no problem with your continentals if its dry when you arrive and then it rains or snows for a week and you've got yourself a journey coming out lol

[A207X2]

Thanks for all the info. I’ve got chains for the truck, so that won’t be a problem. I think I’ll take the Montana route then, since it sounds like it will be a nicer view.

Now I gotta noodle on whether or not to get AT tires…

[H380]

Originally Posted by A207X2

Thanks for all the info. I’ve got chains for the truck, so that won’t be a problem. I think I’ll take the Montana route then, since it sounds like it will be a nicer view.



Now I gotta noodle on whether or not to get AT tires…

Could always buy tires here in Canada on the way if weather looks bad ,cheap Canuck peso compared to your American dollar ..sounds like a fun trip,good luck .

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[Savage Bacon]

Good luck on your hunt. Make sure you keep us updated on how you make out.

Was the 2WD F350 a special order?

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[A207X2]

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

Good luck on your hunt. Make sure you keep us updated on how you make out.

Was the 2WD F350 a special order?

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Will definitely keep y'all posted.

I bought the truck used. It's a 2016 that I bought in 2018. It had 20k miles on it, was purchased, serviced, and sold at the same dealership. I got all the maintenance records for it. I paid $39k USD for it - which was a steal in my opinion. I would have preferred 4WD but the only thing I tow with it is a 40', 21k lbs fifth wheel (and also a boat). Down here in FL we don't really have a need for 4WD, so while it would have been nice to have, it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

[Savage Bacon]

Originally Posted by A207X2

Will definitely keep y'all posted.



I bought the truck used. It's a 2016 that I bought in 2018. It had 20k miles on it, was purchased, serviced, and sold at the same dealership. I got all the maintenance records for it. I paid $39k USD for it - which was a steal in my opinion. I would have preferred 4WD but the only thing I tow with it is a 40', 21k lbs fifth wheel (and also a boat). Down here in FL we don't really have a need for 4WD, so while it would have been nice to have, it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

All good! Don't forget about us in October. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. Good luck!

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[A207X2]

This is my itinerary:
Ft. Myers, FL to Blairsville, GA (673 miles) ->Arrive 9/19
Blairsville, GA to St. Louis, MO (538 miles) -> Arrive 9/20
St. Louis, MO to Sioux Falls, SD (610 miles)-> Arrive 9/21
Sioux Falls, SD to Billings, MT (661 miles) -> Arrive 9/22
Billings, MT to Calgary, AB (536 miles) -> Arrive 9/23
Stopover in Calgary 9/24
Calgary, AB to Manning, AB (524 miles) -> Arrive 9/25

Outbound Mileage: 3,541

Hunt: 9/26 - 10/3

Manning, AB to Calgary, AB -> Arrive 10/4
Calgary, AB to Billings, MT -> Arrive 10/5
Billings, MT to Sioux,Falls, SD -Arrive 10/6
Sioux Falls, SD to St. Louis, MO -> Arrive 10/7
St Louis, MO to Blairsville, GA -> Arrive 10/8
Blairsville, GA to Ft. Myers, FL-> Arrive 10/9

Total Milage: 7,082
Fuel estimate: 400 gallons of diesel

I'm taking my Browning BAR 30-06 and my Henry 45-70. Browning will be primary weapon. Using BuffaloBore Supercharged Lead Free 168 gr Barnes TTSX ammo for the 30-06, and Hornady LEVERevolution 250 gr Monoflex ammo for the 45-70.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I'll second (third?) what others have stated here about the chains - My old hunting mentor took regularly took his 2WD Chevy through the Swan Hills gumbo, while carrying a camper and towing a tandem with his machines on it. The chains (and taking his time) were key.

With your chains, if you haven't yet, practice a bit at home so you're not scratching your head trying to figure them out while you're knee-deep in muck.

And bring some basic recovery gear (you can pick that up here too): A sturdy shovel, rope, traction aids, shackles. A battery booster pack can be handy too, especially if you're off the beaten path.

And like Savage Bacon says - let us know how you make out! Hope you have a great time up here.

[Dean2]

Save your money on the All Terrains. With the Dually it won't make much difference in mud anyhow. You already have chains, as long as you know how to put them on that will solve any problems of wet roads. The Chin is a pretty good road, it has to get really wet before you will need chains. They run all manner of heavy trucks on it year round, most do not have 4x4 and even loaded semis rarely need to chain up unless it gets really icy.

Given the time of year, I would come up through Sask to save time, go back through Montana for variety and scenery. Hope you have a great trip.

[A207X2]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

I'll second (third?) what others have stated here about the chains - My old hunting mentor took regularly took his 2WD Chevy through the Swan Hills gumbo, while carrying a camper and towing a tandem with his machines on it. The chains (and taking his time) were key.

With your chains, if you haven't yet, practice a bit at home so you're not scratching your head trying to figure them out while you're knee-deep in muck.

And bring some basic recovery gear (you can pick that up here too): A sturdy shovel, rope, traction aids, shackles. A battery booster pack can be handy too, especially if you're off the beaten path.

And like Savage Bacon says - let us know how you make out! Hope you have a great time up here.

Thanks. I grew up in Ft. Erie, ON and in winter chains were a regular part of life for me.

Great idea about the battery booster pack! I had one, but it crapped out on me; I need to order another one.

For the truck I just installed a Grille Bar, 12,000 lb winch, LED light bar, and LED fog lights for this trip.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by A207X2

Will definitely keep y'all posted.

I bought the truck used. It's a 2016 that I bought in 2018. It had 20k miles on it, was purchased, serviced, and sold at the same dealership. I got all the maintenance records for it. I paid $39k USD for it - which was a steal in my opinion. I would have preferred 4WD but the only thing I tow with it is a 40', 21k lbs fifth wheel (and also a boat). Down here in FL we don't really have a need for 4WD, so while it would have been nice to have, it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

Sorry, I'm trying to figure out if your first post means the truck is a dually? An unloaded 2wd dually is not a great vehicle for tackling back roads in inclement weather. If thats the case I would not skimp on tires.

During the hunting season I keep a chainsaw and a Jack-All in the truck. By cutting blocking and lifting the truck you can usually self-rescue a pickup out of just about anything. I've been in a few situations where that was literally my only option. Also seen plenty of people who failed to understand it was their only option waste whole days trying everything else, usually managing to get a few of their friends stuck too.

[Lunkerhunter]

I would guess 200 is extremely long but may depend if you are shooting across meadows or swamps and calling them out. I hunt one wmu over from there and shots and opportunities have been 20-40 yards usually. It can be thick! Smart to bring both once you figure out how you be calling and sequencing and setting up.


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[Lunkerhunter]

Forgot to mention: I’ve loved reading this thread. Ice fishing is winding down up here and this has me dreaming of the beautiful fall ahead.

What an incredible trip you are making across the continent. You won’t be disappointed you’ve lined up an amazing location and hunt.

Where about in Florida are you located?

I visited near Port Charlotte on the gulf coast in December and was loving the salt water pier fishing. Saw a shark get caught, manatees swimming under my jig and I loved the weird looking small fish I was catching but I’m sure locals would regard them as junk non game species (lizard fish, mangrove snapper, angel fish)


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[A207X2]

Originally Posted by Lunkerhunter

Forgot to mention: I’ve loved reading this thread. Ice fishing is winding down up here and this has me dreaming of the beautiful fall ahead.

What an incredible trip you are making across the continent. You won’t be disappointed you’ve lined up an amazing location and hunt.

Where about in Florida are you located?

I visited near Port Charlotte on the gulf coast in December and was loving the salt water pier fishing. Saw a shark get caught, manatees swimming under my jig and I loved the weird looking small fish I was catching but I’m sure locals would regard them as junk non game species (lizard fish, mangrove snapper, angel fish)


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We're in Fort Myers, about 40 miles south of Port Charlotte. We spend our summers up in N. Georgia up in the Appalachian Mountains (gets us out of the hurricane season).

[Lunkerhunter]

Nice! Well as others have said keep us updated on your adventures this upcoming fall! Enjoy the salt life until then!


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[Drewski Canuck]

As for shot distance, I have called in a handful to 30 yards and less.

You will never understand how these things can go through alder and willow like a ghost and not make a sound. Then you turn around and they are staring right at you!

It is very unnerving looking at the nose at 9 X and you are trying to turn the scope down enough to see the chest.

Drewski

[Twisted Canuck]

That's why you always keep it dialed right down. If you have to dial up for a longer shot, no problem. Dialing down will get you busted.

I've also had moose show up 5 yards behind me, calling over a meadow, and suddenly there he is behind me, came through the thick willows and never heard a thing. And also didn't get him

[Big Grey Wolf]

Twisted 'Coming up behind you' you may have been very fortunate nothing more serious or painful may have happened.

[Twisted Canuck]

That is also true.

[Moo Snukkle]

All this hunting talk and no horn porn? Sorry A20, but I’ll get the ball rolling

Sorry, can only load singles
These are Northern Ab specimens


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[Moo Snukkle]

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[Moo Snukkle]

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[Moo Snukkle]

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[A207X2]

Great photos. Setting the bar for me, eh?