Dropping supplies from plane

fingershooter · #1 02-29-2016, 09:04 AM

Has anyone here dropped or heard of anyone successfully dropping supplies from a plane for a back-country hunt?

Elk Hunter17 · #2 02-29-2016, 09:15 AM

When I hunted with Arctic red river they dropped a cherry pie and a lasagna. I know it's not what you are wondering about but it was fantastic.

Mugs29 · #3 02-29-2016, 09:22 AM

I have had three snow blowers and a barrel of gas dropped by a twin otter. He came in low and slow, around 5 feet above the snow covered lake. Everything made it with no damage but the barrel of gas rolled about 30 feet under the snow.

CNP · #4 02-29-2016, 09:35 AM

No problem there. Gets done all the time. Never done it on a hunt but did it in the air force for 20 years for SAR. Helps if you know what you are doing

. Dropping streamers over target to determine release point next time around. Have to do your part in locating a clear drop zone a plane can fly into and out of...........leading into a box canyon is a bad location for a drop zone.

Bigmountainrider · #5 02-29-2016, 10:13 AM

Happens on almost every remote climbing or skiing trip, air drop from a plane is cheaper than a helo drop in person.

Torkdiesel · #6 02-29-2016, 10:18 AM

Not sure if it's legal or not anymore. I would say it all depends on the pilot.

I know this summer we tried to dump my grandfathers and grandmothers ashes out of a beaver over their old Trapline and the charter company would not let us do it.

fingershooter · #7 02-29-2016, 10:24 AM

I was thinking of dropping supplies for a hunt, into a small lake (to break the fall). Just trying to lighten the load on a long hike in on aging legs. Was thinking of those 5 gallon juice pails for containers. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I will look into the legalities, but I think it's OK. Some places frown on scattering people's remains but general stuff should be fine.
Thanks.

norwestalta · #8 02-29-2016, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

I was thinking of dropping supplies for a hunt, into a small lake (to break the fall). Just trying to lighten the load on a long hike in on aging legs. Was thinking of those 5 gallon juice pails for containers. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I will look into the legalities, but I think it's OK. Some places frown on scattering people's remains but general stuff should be fine.
Thanks.

How are you going to find it once you get back to the lake? I wouldn't want to be the poor bugger to swim out there and get it.

I've been thinking of doing the same type of thing. Figured drop on land with a roll of flagging tape tied to your stuff. Let me know how you make out please.

h&t · #9 03-01-2016, 07:37 AM

no practical experience here, but what about parachutes?
obvioulsy military does it and in the old Idaho video (posted here not long ago) they showed dropping crates with relocated animals.

Luckwell · #10 03-01-2016, 08:05 AM

Helicopter companies will. Pricey though

fingershooter · #11 03-01-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckwell

Helicopter companies will. Pricey though

Helicopters are illegal for hunting in B.C.
I was looking at a very small lake and hoping the package would be on the shoreline. But good points.

Luckwell · #12 03-01-2016, 09:03 AM

Sorry didn't realize it was BC.

Wouldn't there be a difference between hunting and dropping off backcountry supplies?

norwestalta · #13 03-01-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

Helicopters are illegal for hunting in B.C.
I was looking at a very small lake and hoping the package would be on the shoreline. But good points.

Plane can't land on the lake?

Full Curl Earl · #14 03-01-2016, 09:48 AM

Helicopters are also illegal in Alberta, to transport hunters during an open season, or to have a firearm larger than .22 cal.
But you can have them drop a camp a few days before season then walk in or drop a guy off with no firearm with the camp.
I believe the logistics and risk of dropping things from a moving aircraft requires special knowledge, as wrapping up an aileron with a strap mid flight 40' off the ground would pucker a guy.

Bigmountainrider · #15 03-01-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

Helicopters are illegal for hunting in B.C.
I was looking at a very small lake and hoping the package would be on the shoreline. But good points.

Does it matter? Your not hunting from the Helo, just getting a supply drop.

nimrod · #16 03-01-2016, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

Helicopters are illegal for hunting in B.C.
I was looking at a very small lake and hoping the package would be on the shoreline. But good points.

Yes as I know, no heli trip can be involved in any part of the hunt, going or coming back,

but a fixed wing Can take everything you want, including gun in or out, and meat if you are lucky enough.

In the middle of this whole thing right now, for a goat hunt in northern BC

Nimrod

Torkdiesel · #17 03-01-2016, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Curl Earl

Helicopters are also illegal in Alberta, to transport hunters during an open season, or to have a firearm larger than .22 cal.
But you can have them drop a camp a few days before season then walk in or drop a guy off with no firearm with the camp.
I believe the logistics and risk of dropping things from a moving aircraft requires special knowledge, as wrapping up an aileron with a strap mid flight 40' off the ground would pucker a guy.

Not illegal in Alberta other then in the 400 WMU's

Other then that you can use a heli to transport hunters, gear, whatever you want.

Torkdiesel · #18 03-01-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

Helicopters are illegal for hunting in B.C.
I was looking at a very small lake and hoping the package would be on the shoreline. But good points.

How small is the lake ?

A half loaded beaver can take off pretty quick !!!

fingershooter · #19 03-01-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torkdiesel

How small is the lake ?

A half loaded beaver can take off pretty quick !!!

Very small. probably only 250m long. Just enough to supply us with fresh water. Could walk around it in 10 - 15 minutes.

Torkdiesel · #20 03-01-2016, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

Very small. probably only 250m long. Just enough to supply us with fresh water. Could walk around it in 10 - 15 minutes.

Well he might get landed but he's not going to get off the water lol

Like I said earlier it will all depend on the pilot. Talked to my buddy yesterday at transport Canada and he said no more air drops anywhere in Canada is the law now.

That being said we all know it happens.

What area are you looking at hunting ?

Full Curl Earl · #21 03-01-2016, 11:31 AM

Yes I know only the Mtn WMU's, figured it was a Mtn hunt.

Torkdiesel · #22 03-01-2016, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Curl Earl

Yes I know only the Mtn WMU's, figured it was a Mtn hunt.

Good deal. Lots of people don't know the difference

GunnerySgtJackson · #23 03-01-2016, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h&t

no practical experience here, but what about parachutes?
obvioulsy military does it and in the old Idaho video (posted here not long ago) they showed dropping crates with relocated animals.

Chutes can be fatal to an aircraft and it occupants. A window or cockpit door drop from a bush type aircraft could result in para shrouds wrapped around a stab resulting in loss of control.

norwestalta · #24 03-01-2016, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingershooter

Very small. probably only 250m long. Just enough to supply us with fresh water. Could walk around it in 10 - 15 minutes.

Don't know where your going or what you have for resources but maybe a helio courier? They dont need much room on land to take off. Floats might be a different story.

If you'd like I could make a call for you? I do know a pilot with a couple of planes on floats. He sold his courier a number of years back.

norwestalta · #25 03-02-2016, 03:34 PM

I talked to my uncle about this. He said anytime he has tried a feat like landing on a short lake like this it has cost him a lot of money. He also said there are old pilots and there are bold pilots but no old bold pilots.

alpineguy · #26 03-02-2016, 03:45 PM

If you are able to hike to the location why not just hire an outfitter with horses to pack the gear? Unless there is a plane available locally I'm not sure that it would be very economical but I don't know your situation. Just a thought.

fingershooter · #27 03-02-2016, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpineguy

If you are able to hike to the location why not just hire an outfitter with horses to pack the gear? Unless there is a plane available locally I'm not sure that it would be very economical but I don't know your situation. Just a thought.

Well, it's a good plane ride to the nearest lake we can land on and then it's over 20 km (uphill all the way - no joke, lol) to where we want to go. We've done it a couple of times before but that was 20 years ago and we are in our 60's and not what we used to be. I'm sure that we could do it but it would take longer to get there, probably won't have the 80+ lbs packs, hence not as much food, and we'd be tired when we got there.
Of course, we want it all; lots of good food, a drink or two perhaps, comfy accomodations and for next to nothing. Tall order, I know, but we are exploring our options.
Thanks everyone for the input. I am leaning towards dropping a couple of 5 gal wine juice pails on the flight in.

fingershooter · #28 03-02-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norwestalta

I talked to my uncle about this. He said anytime he has tried a feat like landing on a short lake like this it has cost him a lot of money. He also said there are old pilots and there are bold pilots but no old bold pilots.

Landing on this puddle is not an option with a normal airplane. It would have to be an ultralight with pontoons. It's just a pond in the rocks.

nimrod · #29 03-05-2016, 05:50 PM

I do not mean to derail this thread, but, what is the min length a plain can land or take off from, 1 k or 2 or 3

Big Bull · #30 03-05-2016, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimrod

I do not mean to derail this thread, but, what is the min length a plain can land or take off from, 1 k or 2 or 3

With a Super Cub and the right pilot, 15 or 20 feet.
https://youtu.be/tkQMYhefIok