Ptarmigans and sea ducks

Yukon Mike

Yukon Mike

Well-known member
Had a great week long trip up north of Dawson with Ian Feir. We've been talking about getting him up here for a hunt for many years now. The master plan was to hunt birds, catch fish, eat well, and kill a caribou if the chance presented itself. No caribou were harmed but we did see some, a couple of moose, some white sheep, a couple of grizzly bears, and Bunners and Jenny put a black bear up a tree. It was one of the best hunting trips I've ever been on, and I've definately never eaten that well in a camper - the man can cook!

Here's some pics...

Bunners trying to blend in.

View attachment DSCF9128.jpg


Lava flow of leaves.


View attachment DSCF9129.jpg

Jenny doing her thing. That spongy tundra really takes the vinegar out of a dog fast.

View attachment DSCF9133.jpg


Ponds on permafrost.

View attachment DSCF9137.jpg


A Rock Ptarmigan. They are smaller than Willow Ptarmigans but taste the same.

View attachment DSCF9150.jpg
 
This the kind of country the Rock Ptarmigans live in.

View attachment IMG_2032.jpg

While we were up there a few pushes of birds came through. One day there were some scoters on this pond so I got a couple.

View attachment IMG_2043.jpg

Couple of Spruce Grouse Ian got.

View attachment IMG_2135.jpg

Ptarmigan burritos. Yum!

View attachment IMG_2140.jpg

View attachment DSCF9202.jpg

We shot a bunch of Willow Ptarmigan, as much as we could eat actually. They tended to be in coveys of 12 - 18 and with white wings and a dark back were great wing shooting even in low light. I'd go back there just to hunt birds anytime. Hard walking on that ground though. Even 20 min or so would just tap us, and the old dog, right out. Bunners was running like a rabbit all over the place.

Mike
 
Mike-

The photos are stunning. Some day. Some day. I absolutely love the color of fall and a brisk day that I can share afield with my son and dogs.

Thanks for sharing your adventure.
 
Great pictures Mike.

Ian sent me awhole bunch when he got home. The scenery is gorgeous. I always get a little disappointed traveling to other areas of BC. Somehow I find the terrain isn't that different then home but seeing the Yukon and your pictures makes me want to see that country even more.

Nice scoters too!
 
Skunkheads on a pond in the mountains, hard for this "sea duck" hunter to fathom! Definitely a new mix of fish and fowl in the cast n' blast category. Awesome scenery.
 
Awesome pictures, reminds me of a trip to New Founland Labrador. Aside from a salt marsh that is my second favorite place to be. I was lucky enough to take some Willow Ptarmigan in white phase but the transition is more interesting. Thanks for sharing the great pictures.
 
This is crazy, in the past couple weeks I've been planning to do a new type of canvas decoy and Ian's name popped into my head. I was going to look around and see if I find out how he has been doing. I guess now I know what he was getting ready to do about the time I thought of him.

Very cool scenery. Its not hard to tell that those Dollies are close relatives to the Brook Trout. All around looks like a good time.
Thanks for sharing.

Tim
 
Mike, SUch gorgeous country!

I envy the experiences you have been kind enough to share with us on this website. I aim to get out to NZ this FEB/MAR and hope to sling a few flies down there. If I am truly fortunate, I hope to blast a feral peacock. It will not be as worthy as frosty ptarms, but, It will be the only chance I have of getting out of the basement where we run our little restaurant, so I am going to go for broke.
 
Awesome write up in some beautiful country. Won't be long before the leaves look that way around here. I also found it a bit odd for a surf scoter to be hanging out on a pond...but you can't argue with a picture. That's really cool. Thanks for sharing.

Steve
 
That is some amazing scenery and sounds like some great hunting. Nice guiding work! Bunners looks like a lil' wolf in that first pic.

You didn't get a chance to ask Ian about the DHBP cookbook, didya? :).
 
Mike great pics and awesome trip,,,its too bad more Canadians don't travel and see what a great country we have instead of thinking they have to go south somewhere to enjoy the outdoors,,,,,,,Chuck
 
Ian Feir - now that is a name from the past - had the chance to hunt pool #9 on the Mississippi with a group that included Ian and Lee Harker - Don't remember shooting alot of ducks but do remember eating the Lobster Ian brought from the North - I do believe the Fat Boyz group was started on that trip............
 
Great pictures Mike and it looks like a great trip. I would love to go north for a hunting and fishing trip. Might have to add that one to the list. Most hunters I know get around but none have been to the Yukon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top