Radios to Communicate with Hunting Party

[gbk]

As far as gun shots as signals for downed moose could be a no-go.
We had a group of 6-7 hunters,we had radios but had them turned off.We were withing 1 sq km to each other.Max distance was ,maybe 800 m from the two furthest hunters.We had a rhythm set for shots to be fired as signal and everyone knew it..
We had a deal-will turn radios on when signal shots fired ,stop hunting ,and everyone talks.
That was no good for MNR,he said he could charge each hunter (except 2-who had the tags)for poaching,on spot ,for 600$ EACH,and throw the group to the court.Which will be more added $$$.
He said anyone can fire any shots-then what we do....???Kind of special approach.
So,he gave only a warning to us, at the end.Nice guy.

Radios on from that moment.

Of course,as it has to be ,two afternoons later,i worked in a bull,which was coming to my buddy.I leaned on the button of the radio-radio went on-3 other guys called in immediately-who called,why someone called????The air was full of radio voices.
The bull said thank you and good bye.............monster crack behind some trees,few footsteps,and gone.

[rick_iles]

As far as gun shots as signals for downed moose could be a no-go.
We had a group of 6-7 hunters,we had radios but had them turned off.We were withing 1 sq km to each other.Max distance was ,maybe 800 m from the two furthest hunters.We had a rhythm set for shots to be fired as signal and everyone knew it..
We had a deal-will turn radios on when signal shots fired ,stop hunting ,and everyone talks.
That was no good for MNR,he said he could charge each hunter (except 2-who had the tags)for poaching,on spot ,for 600$ EACH,and throw the group to the court.Which will be more added $$$.
He said anyone can fire any shots-then what we do....???Kind of special approach.
So,he gave only a warning to us, at the end.Nice guy.

Radios on from that moment.

Of course,as it has to be ,two afternoons later,i worked in a bull,which was coming to my buddy.I leaned on the button of the radio-radio went on-3 other guys called in immediately-who called,why someone called????The air was full of radio voices.
The bull said thank you and good bye.............monster crack behind some trees,few footsteps,and gone.

Exactly why we don’t turn them on until we hear shots. It’s worked well for over 30 years !

[Snowwalker]

As far as gun shots as signals for downed moose could be a no-go.
We had a group of 6-7 hunters,we had radios but had them turned off.We were withing 1 sq km to each other.Max distance was ,maybe 800 m from the two furthest hunters.We had a rhythm set for shots to be fired as signal and everyone knew it..
We had a deal-will turn radios on when signal shots fired ,stop hunting ,and everyone talks.
That was no good for MNR,he said he could charge each hunter (except 2-who had the tags)for poaching,on spot ,for 600$ EACH,and throw the group to the court.Which will be more added $$$.
He said anyone can fire any shots-then what we do....???Kind of special approach.
So,he gave only a warning to us, at the end.Nice guy.

Radios on from that moment.

Of course,as it has to be ,two afternoons later,i worked in a bull,which was coming to my buddy.I leaned on the button of the radio-radio went on-3 other guys called in immediately-who called,why someone called????The air was full of radio voices.
The bull said thank you and good bye.............monster crack behind some trees,few footsteps,and gone.

Headsets got to have them..

[Sam Menard]

I never liked signal shots as they were not reliable in heavily hunted areas or in windy conditions.

Regarding radios, I find that it’s best to come up with some protocols that everyone can understand and abide by. Ear buds and VOX Mike are good for when on stand.

[trimmer21]

As far as gun shots as signals for downed moose could be a no-go.
We had a group of 6-7 hunters,we had radios but had them turned off.We were withing 1 sq km to each other.Max distance was ,maybe 800 m from the two furthest hunters.We had a rhythm set for shots to be fired as signal and everyone knew it..
We had a deal-will turn radios on when signal shots fired ,stop hunting ,and everyone talks.
That was no good for MNR,he said he could charge each hunter (except 2-who had the tags)for poaching,on spot ,for 600$ EACH,and throw the group to the court.Which will be more added $$$.
He said anyone can fire any shots-then what we do....???Kind of special approach.
So,he gave only a warning to us, at the end.Nice guy.

Radios on from that moment.

Of course,as it has to be ,two afternoons later,i worked in a bull,which was coming to my buddy.I leaned on the button of the radio-radio went on-3 other guys called in immediately-who called,why someone called????The air was full of radio voices.
The bull said thank you and good bye.............monster crack behind some trees,few footsteps,and gone.

I think that CO was talking out of his a**. That's why he only gave you a "warning." The FWCA states only that hunters must be able to communicate reliably. It does NOT say how that must be accomplished. You were correct,however,in not arguing with him at the time. That's what courts are for,but,I digress. With our crew,there's several camps around us and all use radios (no cell service). We change our channels every day at breakfast to avoid signal bleed over tipping off our strategy. Ours are always turned on with squelch set med-high to avoid squawks,skip and errant call alarms. Because the other camps use signal shots when they start sweeps across ridgelines or call the crew in for lunch ,it's important to know who fired the shot(s). Leaving radios turned on,but,in quiet mode alleviates the problem.

[Snowwalker]

I never liked signal shots as they were not reliable in heavily hunted areas or in windy conditions.

Regarding radios, I find that it’s best to come up with some protocols that everyone can understand and abide by. Ear buds and VOX Mike are good for when on stand.

Yes VOX is great till some takes a nap and snores...

[isartw]

First, forget about GMRS sort of radio, because of power. Those ones are no moore than 2W output. Get Baofeng UV 9R. They are 8W and around $50. You will have up to 10km peer to peer. If you need 50km range, there are two options:
1. build portable repeater. Instruction is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMkULsNU2_A you woould need to buy a controoller and use 4 radios like Yaesu FT-60R or Baofeng UV 9R which is 3 times cheaper than Yaesu.
2. go HF(high frequency). This will be more expensive. But if you don't have to walk with your radio it will be most reliable option. You have to get a HAM radio license to operate on HF. Or you can use mix, handhelds to communicate within 5-8km and HF for loonger distances.

[Snowwalker]

First, forget about GMRS sort of radio, because of power. Those ones are no moore than 2W output. Get Baofeng UV 9R. They are 8W and around $50. You will have up to 10km peer to peer. If you need 50km range, there are two options:
1. build portable repeater. Instruction is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMkULsNU2_A you woould need to buy a controoller and use 4 radios like Yaesu FT-60R or Baofeng UV 9R which is 3 times cheaper than Yaesu.
2. go HF(high frequency). This will be more expensive. But if you don't have to walk with your radio it will be most reliable option. You have to get a HAM radio license to operate on HF. Or you can use mix, handhelds to communicate within 5-8km and HF for loonger distances.

Does everyone in your Group hold a minimum of a BASIC Class Amateur Radio?

[isartw]

Does everyone in your Group hold a minimum of a BASIC Class Amateur Radio?

Technically, you can use those Baofeng UV 9R radios within GMRS 462-467MHz but with Basic license, you can use 2M band and HF. It's not rocket science anymore since Morse code requirement lifted off and it's a one-time fee, you don't have to renew it, unlike PAL.

[Snowwalker]

Technically, you can use those Baofeng UV 9R radios within GMRS 462-467MHz but with Basic license, you can use 2M band and HF. It's not rocket science anymore since Morse code requirement lifted off and it's a one-time fee, you don't have to renew it, unlike PAL.

They are not type approved for GMRS/FRS use.
They are only approved for use in the Amateur Radio bands by anyone with a Basic ( or above[ Basic + or Advanced]) License. Well you can build a repeater with them and controllers, you need to have at least one person with their Advanced License if your input and output are on the same band.

Last summer Industry Canada charge a large number of people( Non-licensed and a few Licensed) that where using Baofeng Radios.