Luv2hnt, I'll be sure to think about you Sunday night while I'm enjoying a nice cold beer with two dead bou loaded and you're playing chicken on the road with live bou!!

I definately like the cold beer. I also hope were dodging caribou.

Hey guys just logged on and noticed your online. We got 2 inches of snow overnight and I'm off today. Going to head out and do some moose hunting. I'm only licenced for calf this year but I'll hunt some new logging areas cuts and try to cut some fresh tracks.They like hanging around the fresh cuts and browsing on the moose candy (poplar sapplings) that grow in right after they log the area. Beers sound good. Talk to you later. I'm outa here.

And here I am setting at my desk working on costing reports!! At least I can daydream a few seconds now then...

The issue with snowmobiles depends on the animals. If the migration is even close, you will hunt from the roads and short runs into the bush and will not need a snow machine. Bring a game sled to help drag the big boys out - not fun with fur on the snow.

If the animals have gone by you will need a snow machine and go out many miles looking for them. Since I cannot move my brain into that thought process this year - I would say rally look at the extra tow gas, potential issues, slower going, etc., etc. against a 160$ day rental that comes with a helmet and gun case. The machines are also Scandics that basically do not get stuck and can blaze a trail through areas that most machines will get stuck.

One reason that thelodge (Mirage) does not offer any snow machine packages before 04 DEC (1st leg of the second hunt) is that you will not need them. Based on what we are seeing with the herd I would say to leave the machines at home. I have seen and also been subject to some major issues with trailors and a particular one was with a nice new 2 up covered sled wagon that we thought was the answer up there - not so - we have a slightly bent axle from the "road" and we kept blowin our tires from riding on the side wall. Made is through 4 tires and to St Johnsbury VT where we were dead on Rt 91 S after 38 hours of driving straight. We had a tow come up from Nashua and we made it home at the 45 hour mark. I usedto think this was the worst trip, but last years is now in that spot.

I suggest looking at the migration as mid-late Nov is on us and decide then. I see animals all over Laforge 1 and even to the east of the Laforge road which has some nice ponds and open areas to hunt.

Thanks QC Bouman for the information. We'll keep track of the herd up until we leave. I know about the gas mileage towing. I have a hemi that only gets about 8MPG towing a 21 foot boat. When you tow over a 1000 miles one way it adds up. I guess we'll wait and see bu the $160.00 isn't looking that bad right now.

Hey Bouman I see you're online! Good morning. Any more news about the heard or the ptarmigan abundance or absence?

Luv2Hunt -

I have not heard any specifics on birds - I believe the population is good as the bag count is still high for 2007/2008. I see these birds all over an you will be putting them up as you drag your bulls out. They likethe tamerack trees along the road ways - I think they also get the gritfrom the roadedges. Hard to seein the snow - they are totallywhite and blend in well. If you watch theseklumps of trees, you can see tehm moving in the braches - they act alot like partrdge - theykeep real still, but is you look you can make them out.

You should have no problemtaking careof the extra 2 days you will have after you tag out and get you animals frozen in place for the trip home.

ABOUT FACE!!!
Take a look at the satellite telemetry released today!
Looks like they all turned around and headed North again!
We need some snowfurther North to keep them down near the Transtaiga Rd!

Heading up to Mirage Dec 6th. I guess this latest pattern looks good for the late hunts.