Radios to Communicate with Hunting Party

[rick_iles]

There are VHF radios you can buy that will allow you to use public frequencies.
But the two main problems are.
1) They are mobile unit for vehicles, I have not yet found any hand held ones.

2) You must only use the frequency that is allowed in the area you are in. Because the others can cause interfere or have been licensed ( sold to someone) to private companies or assigned to government departments like Highway Maintenance, MNRF, Ontario Hydro in the area you are in.

When a frequency is ok or not ok for you to use can change as simply as being on the North or South side of the French river.

So FRS/GMRS radio would be far better in 99% of cases.

Yes, we were specifically talking about the 5w Marine radios. Those are illegal to use on land. Our trucks do have radios that operate on frequencies assigned to loggers. Helps out a lot when dodging loaded pulp trucks coming in and out of areas we hunt..but you are right, we have yet to find portables with those frequencies.

[Snowwalker]

Yes, we were specifically talking about the 5w Marine radios. Those are illegal to use on land. Our trucks do have radios that operate on frequencies assigned to loggers. Helps out a lot when dodging loaded pulp trucks coming in and out of areas we hunt..but you are right, we have yet to find portables with those frequencies.

If you just need to hear where the trucks are a hand held scanner works..If you know the frequency.

I can get hand held radios that will work on those frequencies but they are not type approved. They also cost way more then the a set of frs/gmrs. You also have to have programming software in some cases..

[Hunterrev]

Just wondering what the max distance between party hunters usually is? Let's say if I was hunting Caramat, and my brother was hunting Newfoundland, and we had good Sat Radios, Is that party hunting?
Let's be real, most cheap GMRS radios are good for a couple of kilometers. Are you farther apart than that?

We will be hunting cuts where there is no cell phone reception, north of Long Lac. Only two trucks with three ATV's and two canoes, so we will not be out of range to hear each party shoot. I'm sure the GMRS radios would work just fine, was wondering about the Spot X also, to send a message home or in case of emergencies also.

I think we'll invest in a good set of radios and go from there.

We have a Bull and a Cow tag!

[canadaman30]

When we moose hunted in the north one of our group rented radios, from where I don't know. He rented enough so everybody got their own for the week.

[Fisherman]

We will be hunting cuts where there is no cell phone reception, north of Long Lac. Only two trucks with three ATV's and two canoes, so we will not be out of range to hear each party shoot. I'm sure the GMRS radios would work just fine, was wondering about the Spot X also, to send a message home or in case of emergencies also.

I think we'll invest in a good set of radios and go from there.

We have a Bull and a Cow tag!

Just for your info, Spot X messenger is now on sale at Cabelas, $100 off.

[Snowwalker]

We will be hunting cuts where there is no cell phone reception, north of Long Lac. Only two trucks with three ATV's and two canoes, so we will not be out of range to hear each party shoot. I'm sure the GMRS radios would work just fine, was wondering about the Spot X also, to send a message home or in case of emergencies also.

I think we'll invest in a good set of radios and go from there.

We have a Bull and a Cow tag!

You have a plan. Hint get radios that will use headset and boom mic. All wired no Bluetooth. For the xspot an old phone with no sim is all you need.

Make sure everyone knows where it is and how to use the xspot.

[bester]

Was on a fly in fishing trip a couple weeks ago and the outfitter supplied us with a spot x. It was nice to communicate with family but I wouldn't want to use it for party hunting. Because it works off satellite, it may take up to 15 minutes to send and maybe the same to receive a message. Not good if theres lots of animals around.

[delmer]

Just wondering what the max distance between party hunters usually is? Let's say if I was hunting Caramat, and my brother was hunting Newfoundland, and we had good Sat Radios, Is that party hunting?
Let's be real, most cheap GMRS radios are good for a couple of kilometers. Are you farther apart than that?

From the hunting regs:

All members of the party must hunt
together in the same Wildlife Management
Unit or portion thereof, for which the tag
is valid.
• Each member of the party must hunt
within 5 kilometres of the person who
holds the tag that is valid for the wildlife
being hunted.
• Each member of the party must be able to
reliably and immediately communicate with
other members of the party.

[Snowwalker]

From the hunting regs:

All members of the party must hunt
together in the same Wildlife Management
Unit or portion thereof, for which the tag
is valid.
• Each member of the party must hunt
within 5 kilometres of the person who
holds the tag that is valid for the wildlife
being hunted.
• Each member of the party must be able to
reliably and immediately communicate with
other members of the party.

The problem is that well the regulations may say 5 km, it is not practical with most hand held radios. You and I may be able to talk to Troutslayer across a valley, but at the same time not hear each other 300 yards apart .

[rick_iles]

The problem is that well the regulations may say 5 km, it is not practical with most hand held radios. You and I may be able to talk to Troutslayer across a valley, but at the same time not hear each other 300 yards apart .

That’s why we back up with signal shots....