Jet Boat Spring Bear

[Rambling]

What river would others recommend for using a jet boat in May for bears.

Recently purchased a jet boat. Looking for advice on what rivers would be worth a try.

Thanks in advance

[catnthehat]

Where are you located?
Cat

[Rambling]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Where are you located?
Cat

I am near Calgary, but don’t mind traveling up North.

[KegRiver]

The Peace River is the only river I know well enough to use a jet boat on, but it's better suited to prop drive.

In May the Peace tends to be high and full of debris which can plug a jet intake.

However, finding bears along that river downstream of Dunvagan should be no problem.

[Jim Blake]

Put in at Rocky Mountain House on the North Saskatchewan and go upstream. I've done the trip many times and have seen some decent black bears.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

The Peace River is the only river I know well enough to use a jet boat on, but it's better suited to prop drive.

In May the Peace tends to be high and full of debris which can plug a jet intake.

However, finding bears along that river downstream of Dunvagan should be no problem.

Buddy of mine did that several times, in a little aluminum boat. No shortage of bears. Problem was the fluctuating level of the river, camp for the night and find your boat on a mud flat.

Grizz

[Rambling]

Originally Posted by Jim Blake

Put in at Rocky Mountain House on the North Saskatchewan and go upstream. I've done the trip many times and have seen some decent black bears.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated

[Rambling]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

The Peace River is the only river I know well enough to use a jet boat on, but it's better suited to prop drive.

In May the Peace tends to be high and full of debris which can plug a jet intake.

However, finding bears along that river downstream of Dunvagan should be no problem.

Thanks for the input!

[35 whelen]

I have done guided jet boat Hunts on the Peace, Wabasca, chinchaga, all have Bears on them Wabasca and the Chinchaga were fall hunts, Peace River was Springtime hunts. Good luck it's a blast

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Rambling]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

I have done guided jet boat Hunts on the Peace, Wabasca, chinchaga, all have Bears on them Wabasca and the Chinchaga were fall hunts, Peace River was Springtime hunts. Good luck it's a blast

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Thanks!

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Buddy of mine did that several times, in a little aluminum boat. No shortage of bears. Problem was the fluctuating level of the river, camp for the night and find your boat on a mud flat.

Grizz

That's another common hazard on the Peace. Thanks for pointing that out.

There are also sandbars where one wouldn't expect them to be and places where submerged boulders can cause serious issues.

Another hazard is waves. There are places where a strong wind can whip up waves that could swamp most river boats. If you know the river most of those can be avoided but if you don't they can be a trap.

And then there is fog. Being a deep valley, fog can become a major concern.
I've seen boaters unfamiliar with navigating in fog, literally get lost in the middle of the river.

It's not a good river for the novice.

[buckbrush]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Buddy of mine did that several times, in a little aluminum boat. No shortage of bears. Problem was the fluctuating level of the river, camp for the night and find your boat on a mud flat.

Grizz

That's a great point. Hadn't thought of that. Could be a bad start to the day.