help a brother out

[ChefJay]

So Im from Calgary and spent a few days out hunting in porcupine hills and bob creek area. We had no luck and now Im thinking of using my resources to travel up to Whitecourt area to better my chances at seeing a bear or two.

So I have a general idea as to where to go and hoping to get up there here next week. But before I spend gas money to travel 5 hrs from Calgary, does anyone know how green it is up there?
Should I stick with my schedule or wait another few days?
Ill be spot stalk hunting, and drive a Jetta....lol. will be covering as much road as I can in the car and walking around to glassing points.

thanks.

[Chaoticelk]

Driving past some great bear county. It’s getting green here spent few days around Hinton working and green and some great bears around seen a few over 7 feet

[waldedw]

With all the rain and wet snow they are forecasting for that area and given the fact you are driving a Jeta I would seriously think about postponing my hunt, if you have never been there and seen what that ground does when it gets wet, I'd say 500 yards and your wheels will be caked and not turning, but you will have an adventure.

[Tronneroi]

Originally Posted by waldedw

With all the rain and wet snow they are forecasting for that area and given the fact you are driving a Jeta I would seriously think about postponing my hunt, if you have never been there and seen what that ground does when it gets wet, I'd say 500 yards and your wheels will be caked and not turning, but you will have an adventure.

Bring a come-a-long!

[Smoky buck]

You might want to find some different transportation before considering that trip

[NewGuard84]

That area was bone dry on the long weekend (first half anyways) and will be different this weekend. The clay roads get ugly and often without much rain.

For perspective, I will likely postpone going back (or choose another location this weekend) and that's with a very capable HD SUV with good tires.

I hunted with a car for years and you need to know your roads and how far you can get in safely, before potentially walking in further. Some places have better areas closer the to main roads, others are riskier as you have to go deeper.

[marky_mark]

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Bring a come-a-long!

Your not going to see much country when your using your come along to move your car inch by inch
You’ll Get a good work out

[wildwoods]

Rent a truck. Get on google earth. Look for green pipelines. Bingo

[TBark]

I’d just go for it.
You can always use your car for bait, haaa.

TBark

[Stinky Buffalo]

Never underestimate the Power of the Jetta!

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Bring a come-a-long!

With any luck, you might spot one off the highway, happened to me a couple of times. The local term for that mud is Loon ****.

Grizz

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Never underestimate the Power of the Jetta!

That road is nothing like what you’ll see around whitecourt.
Horrible when they’re wet, even a Regular 4x4 is dicey sometimes.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

That road is nothing like what you’ll see around whitecourt.
Horrible when they’re wet, even a Regular 4x4 is dicey sometimes.

Just walking can be a chore, builds up around your boots till they weight makes it fall off. Muskeg is less demanding.

Grizz

[Big Grey Wolf]

You might consider north of Edson. The Semscan road is paved for first 15 km then road is well packed gravel, it will get soupy but good base. PS Edson F & W always take the trapped problem bears and release them north of Edson.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

That road is nothing like what you’ll see around whitecourt.

Horrible when they’re wet, even a Regular 4x4 is dicey sometimes.

I know, I know... just trying to be funny.

I’ve driven those roads many times, and the gumbo can get slicker than snot on a doorknob with the slightest moisture.

Was a particularly dry fall in Swan Hills when I took this picture.

[Jamie]

North of Valleyview is the only pace I have ever been stuck going DOWN HILL.... LOLO Enjoy the Jetta.. Might suggest renting something a bit more suitable. If not, please send pics. :-)

[bessiedog]

If you get a bear .... will it get seatbelted for the ride home...?

[Buckhead]

Now that brings back some memories.

In the 1980's I hunted with a 1974 Ford Maverick 4 door because that is all I could afford then.

Had a decent pair of rear tires and a set of chains. I went places you probably would not believe. Always got out and checked the road ahead on foot first if it looked iffy.

A royal pain in the butt getting animals and parts in and out of the truck and backseat but hey, I had to hunt.

[Dean2]

I hunted out of 2 wheel drives and cars for quite a few years. After getting stuck enough times I finally bought a 4x4. Young, strong back, shovel, axe, jackall and a little prudence you can get many places. The bush is greening up quickly but if the rain is as heavy today and tomorrow as forecast you will be restricted to the main gravel roads but there is a lot of good gravel road up there. Still should be able to glass up pipelines and find bears. If you can wait for dry that is better but if you only have a small window I wouldn't let a little rain stop you. Best of luck.

[bessiedog]

wonder if folks know how do use a jack all to get unstuck anymore?

buddy and i hunted out of a 91 Kcar for several years.... that thing would go anywhere

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

wonder if folks know how do use a jack all to get unstuck anymore?

buddy and i hunted out of a 91 Kcar for several years.... that thing would go anywhere

Probably not right off the bat, especially using it as a come-along, but there is always YouTube and Google. Big problem is, even most pickups today can't take being jacked on the bumper, cars for sure won't take it.

[waldedw]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Never underestimate the Power of the Jetta!

That's what the hyway looks like at Whitecourt

[Jims83cj5]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Never underestimate the Power of the Jetta!

Hahaha, even a bad driver could get a vet through that, maybe not even get mud on the tires

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

wonder if folks know how do use a jack all to get unstuck anymore?

buddy and i hunted out of a 91 Kcar for several years.... that thing would go anywhere

Summer I spent at Jean D'or, we never went anywhere, even to town, without a couple of fence posts and wire to build a a dead man, chain and a come along. I'd never seen a stuck Cat before.

Grizz

[Chaoticelk]

I know many people who hunt in cars, suv,and vans seen them haul sheep elk and deer just watch where you drive.

[bezzola]

I have had my corolla in some nasty spots lol
Hauled elk out in it too
Was up north west of whitecourt for 4 days and only seen 3 bears

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Probably not right off the bat, especially using it as a come-along, but there is always YouTube and Google. Big problem is, even most pickups today can't take being jacked on the bumper, cars for sure won't take it.

I built a chain rig that uses the tire rim to attach the jack to. Works great

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by obsessed1

I built a chain rig that uses the tire rim to attach the jack to. Works great

Biggest problem with cars these days is, they're mean't strictly for pavement, too little ground clearance and no place to pull from , if you do get stuck.

Grizz

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

wonder if folks know how do use a jack all to get unstuck anymore?

buddy and i hunted out of a 91 Kcar for several years.... that thing would go anywhere

Yup know how to use a come along and jack all but would much rather spend my time hunting instead of getting un stuck lol

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Biggest problem with cars these days is, they're mean't strictly for pavement, too little ground clearance and no place to pull from , if you do get stuck.

Grizz

For sure. Even trucks these days are meant for road travel not so much for bush beating. But no matter what you drive knowing limits and having recovery euipment might be the difference of being on your way or high repair cost or sitting hours waiting for help.