Northern BC forestry

[jlc123]

Hey everyone,

I am perusing forestry tech jobs, and found what seems like a great gig up in Dawson Creek BC. Has anyone done any forestry work up there? Anyone got any comments? Suggestions? Warnings? haha. I am currently working in the south part of BC, but wondering if I should pack my bags and go north?

[beenthere]

Why not go for it. 

Haven't heard what you have been doing for near a year, so wondering if you have been getting some good experience to support whatever "gig" you found in Dawson Creek. 
Whatch been doin?
Whatch thinkin of doin?

[starmac]

All I have done is driven through it (a lot), but it sure is some nice country.

[Grizzly]

One thing I notice when I get my Canadian Forest magazine, is that all (or at least it seems like it) articles describing the big bucks being spent, is on mills is up north. Chetwynd has 2 mills, Dawson still has 1, Fort St John has 2, and Mackenzie just had huge dollars spent on it. Both the south and the north have scenery so that doesn't really contribute, but I believe you'll find more economic activity up north and this would be a good time to go. Oil & Gas are down and reasonable housing should be affordable. I love the north so I am a little prejudiced.   Good luck with the future.

I hauled logs into 3 of those mills back in the 90's and thus my interest in your post.

[jlc123]

Thanks for the comments everyone:)

This year has gone by so fast and I think I'm in love with my "job". It's been mentally challenging and I've learned so much. I am missing the hot hot days of summer though.

As for going north, I'm still waiting to talk to someone about the position, I don't know very much other than what the job posting says. I'll keep y'all posted when I find out more. Thanks again for the comments.

[jlc123]

Grizzly, that's cool that you hauled up there. What's the ground like? I've heard it's pretty flat ground? You're right, this probably is a good time to go, with oil prices so low. Are you still hauling up there?

[ST Ranch]

jlc123
If you are missing the hot days of summer, then PREPARE for a big contrast if going north.

The north is not as forgiving as working in southern BC - daylight hours are short, temps are cold and drop rapidly when sun goes down, wind chill can be deadly and often you get cold from the inside out cuz you overdress, prespire and then get the chills.  You need good cold weather cloths and boots and some survival/common sense savy to be safe.

Also it is not a cheap place to live - big gas and oil wages have driven up prices of everything and I have heard horror stories about high rental costs.

So having said this - IMO, depending upon your mobility [ie -can you just pack up and go?] I would take a trip up to the area and spend a few days checking it out before taking the plunge, so to speak.

Good luck in your decision and if you go north, always pack an overnight survival pack and stay safe.

Tom

[sawguy21]

Grizzly, that's cool that you hauled up there. What's the ground like? I've heard it's pretty flat ground? You're right, this probably is a good time to go, with oil prices so low. Are you still hauling up there?

It is flat ground (farmland) to the north and east, the forested areas west and south are quite mountainous.  ST is offering good advice.

[Grizzly]

Grizzly, that's cool that you hauled up there. What's the ground like? I've heard it's pretty flat ground? You're right, this probably is a good time to go, with oil prices so low. Are you still hauling up there?

No, we left that area in late '97. We returned to SK and have been here ever since. Like sawguy said, to the north is relatively flat but as soon as you get south of Dawson Creek you'll be in the mountains and a bunch of what they haul comes up from the east side of Tumbler Ridge which is definitely in the mountains. That mountain part is only an issue for the skidders and truckers anyway! All the other equipment is relatively safe. The one part of the north is we used freeze up to access a lot of wood. We could get through the swamps and muskeg once if froze real good. I'm not aware of that occurring further south but then again I didn't haul logs further south.

ST, with oil & gas hurting, you think its still so bad up there? On www.mls.ca (Canadian online real estate site) there is around a 1000 units available in Tumbler Ridge and that was becoming a bedroom community for the oil patch when we were up there. Now apparently empty again. I don't have answers only offering thoughts.

[Ramicorn]

I cruised up there before for a outfit called Forsite, was based out of Fort St. John but would be the same woods and what not. Hard work, have to cover alot of ground on snow shoes everyday be it cruising or layout. They do find it hard to keep people up there if that tells ya anything. Like ST said is expensive place to live, my company provided a place and vehicle but maybe yours doesn't. And ya gets pretty cold obviously, and can be hard to dress for, can work up a sweat between plots if its hard snowshoeing then not move much during the plot and get freezing again. Buddy who started the same day as me got frost bite on his fingers first day, so if you do go invest in the proper gear.

[Gearbox]

How is the Bark Beetle aroundthat area or is it more west? I went through there in 10 western B C was 50 % red needles .  Gearbox

[jlc123]

Ramicorn, I've heard of Foresite, I believe they also work in the Okanagan? Maybe salmon arm or something? I have heard many horror stories about cruising, you are definitely troopers! Cruising has been shut down for the season, as of today, too much snow.

[jlc123]

jlc123
If you are missing the hot days of summer, then PREPARE for a big contrast if going north.

The north is not as forgiving as working in southern BC - daylight hours are short, temps are cold and drop rapidly when sun goes down, wind chill can be deadly and often you get cold from the inside out cuz you overdress, prespire and then get the chills.  You need good cold weather cloths and boots and some survival/common sense savy to be safe.

Also it is not a cheap place to live - big gas and oil wages have driven up prices of everything and I have heard horror stories about high rental costs.

So having said this - IMO, depending upon your mobility [ie -can you just pack up and go?] I would take a trip up to the area and spend a few days checking it out before taking the plunge, so to speak.

Good luck in your decision and if you go north, always pack an overnight survival pack and stay safe.

Tom

Tom, thanks for the advice! Perhaps a two day "holiday" is in order? I do love me some sunshine and heat and so I guess that's why we get hit with the "sunshine" tax in the Okanagan.

[Ramicorn]

Yeah they work all over BC and I did a bit of work with them in Alberta as well. Not a bad outfit, but no stopping for snow days up there.