I have hunted in this country for years and can tell you with confidence that the rut is normally in high gear right around that time. Twice in the past, I have killed a buck on the last day of the original season, just as weather conditions became more favorable for hunting. I can't tell you how many times outfitters have told me about big bucks that came out of the bush just after the season closed. Given good weather conditions, this extended season should provide dynamite hunting. Remember, British Columbia allows a hunter to take one whitetail and one mule deer buck each season.
As I write this in mid-August, I have seen no official notices about the season extension, but I confirmed it with Conrad Thiessen, the biologist in Fort St. John for the Peace Region. He says the extension includes units 720-722, 731-735, 743B-747, and 754. Basically, this encompasses the agricultural areas near Fort St. John and south around Dawson Creek, arguably some of the best deer hunting in the province. Thiessen says the season extension was approved after a meeting of all the stakeholders not just wildlife experts, but also guides and outfitters, resident hunters, naturalists and others. The primary objectives of the extension are to reduce mule deer populations and improve the buck:doe ratios in the area.
Several outfitters in the area are already booking hunts for the extended season period. One of them is Tracks BC, owned by Gary Drinkall and Blaine Trenholm. Their 2 x 1, 10-day hunt for whitetail runs $6,000. A client may also hunt mule deer for an additional fee of $1,500. Not included........(continued)
