Alberta Elk, Black Bear, Moose, Deer and More #69

This excellent outfitter operates in the Peace River area of NW Alberta. We have worked with them for over 15 years and he always does an excellent job, regardless of the particular species our clients are chasing. They hunt an interesting area which is a mix of forest and farmland. This is beneficial to the elk, and they have a very healthy elk population that is growing each year. Bowhunts run late-August to mid-September, and then the rifle season opens. The changeover between seasons happens right at the peak of the rut, making the elk hunting with both weapons very successful and enjoyable. We love to hunt bugling bulls yelling “Hey, I’m over here!”

Some very important factors to be aware of when comparing these hunts with others:
• Their pricing INCLUDES YOUR LICENSE! With some States charging $1,000 or more for tags, this is a big deal.
• THERE IS NO DRAW! Just book this hunt and go! Makes it much easier to book flights and make plans early.
• Free airport pickup from Grande Prairie, Alberta – save $500 or more on a rental car!
• A wolf tag is included!

Their typical elk are nice 5x5s to 6x6s. We do NOT consider this a trophy hunt, however. Their largest elk was a 6×8 that scored well over 300″, but most are just nice respectable bulls. There have been bulls killed in the areas they hunt that are 350+”, but do not count on that. However, success is typically very high and good numbers of elk are seen. Their elk hunting has been very popular, so booking early is wise. Many hunters choose to do a combination hunt. One of the most popular combo hunts is the elk/moose/black bear, although you can combine elk hunting with any of the species they offer. Hunt bow or rifle in the bugle! Or hunt later and add deer or moose!

EARLY BOWHUNTS:
The archery-only season starts on August 25 and ends on September 16 for everything except moose. These are 6-day hunts, and during this time they concentrate on the prime feeding areas, game trails, natural mineral licks, and other prime habitat showing fresh elk activity. Silent elk make you work harder, but usually there will be enough squealing to help. This makes this hunt very exciting. The weather at this time is pleasant and the days are long. If you want to have the challenge of taking one of North America’s largest members of the deer family with a bow, this is the hunt for you.

The reason the bow-only season is cheaper is that the archery tag allocations can only be used during this period and thus have less value that the ones that can be used in the rifle season. There are no kill fees; only the charge for every species that is added to the base archery season cost.
We happen to love elk meat, and we really enjoy chasing these 700 pound critters around the forest. They are majestic, regal and smart! So a wise man hunts them where his chances will be high – areas with good elk populations. We also like to have the opportunity to take a second species, such as a moose or black bear, and they have plenty of both.

2024 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received; all prices in USD)

Elk $7,250 6 DAYS
Rut Moose and Elk $10,000
Nov Elk and Moose $9000
MOOSE: Rut $8,500; Post rut Moose (Nov) $7,500
Whitetail $6,000
Nov White-tail and Moose $8750
Whitetail/Mule deer $8750
Mule Deer $7000
Wolf/ Coyote Nov-Dec $5,000
Rut moose and Whitetail $9500
Rut Moose and Mule deer $10,000

Archery prices:
Base Price $4500 PLUS ADD THE SPECIES PRICE:
Species price:
Whitetail $500, mule deer $1000, moose $500, elk $1000
1×1 hunts are $500 extra per day. Additional days can be added for $500/day 2×1 or $750/day 1×1. Non-hunters $150/day. A wolf license is included on all big game hunts.

INCLUDED:
• Guiding
• Field Dressing and trophy care
• Meals
• Accommodations
• Licenses
• Taxes
• Pick up and drop off at Grande Prairie airport

BLACK BEARS:

This is an outstanding outfitter in Alberta who not only produces good bears, but lots of bears. Over the last 8-10 years, they averaged between 1.6 to 1.8 bears per hunter. That includes bowhunters and gun hunters. In layman’s terms, that means nearly everyone has a chance at taking two bears! The outfitter hunts in the famed Peace River area of Alberta. The bear hunting there has been written up dozens of times in various sporting magazines. It’s one of the premier bear hunting areas in North America. The average size bear is also excellent. Typically, bears will average between six and seven feet in the spring, and perhaps a few inches larger in the fall. Top bears have made eight feet and seven footers are taken regularly.

Color-phase bears make up between 25%-40% of the population, with colors ranging from blonde to brown to cinnamon. Past clients uniformly give this outfitter excellent reviews. He goes through the trouble of putting out plenty of extra baits, feeds the bears well and regularly, has a great modern lodge with all amenities, with a couple’s room too, excellent guides, and his concession in the Peace River region produces genetically superior bears based on what we have seen! He does both rifle and bow, but really enjoys archers. ALL TAXES AND TAX REBATES ARE INCLUDED IN PRICE. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE HUNT ARE: LICENSE/TAG; MEALS; ACCOMMODATIONS; A WOLF LICENSE; FIELD DRESSING; TROPHY CARE; YOUR PICK UP AND DROP OFF AT AIRPOR IN GRANDE PRAIRIE; AND OF COURSE THEIR GUIDE SERVICE. The largest black bear ever recorded in Alberta recently came from their hunting area. Pike and walleye fishing, both lake and river, is also available during the day or when you tag out.

Three years in a row their clients have won the Outfitters Award for the largest black bear taken by a non-resident hunter. The high percentage of the brown color phase bears, ranging from a dark chocolate color to pure blonde, is an added bonus. Great area, great guides, great fun and great success!
Four very important factors to be aware of when comparing these hunts with others:
• Realize that their pricing INCLUDES YOUR LICENSE! With some states charging $500 to $1,000 for tags, this is a big savings.
• And also realize there is NO DRAW! No money wasted buying points! Just book this hunt and go! Makes it much easier to book flights and make plans early. Again, saves time and money.
• Free airport pickup in Grande Prairie – save $500 or more on a rental car!
• Free wolf tag.

These 3-4 items add up to savings of $1,000+ compared to similar hunts!
“Just thought I’d send a quick e-mail to let you know I had a great hunt last week with Hunt #69. Took two good bears, and the guiding & accommodations/food were excellent. My wife also really enjoyed herself – even got to tag along on a hunt, and watched me shoot a bear. Thanks for arranging such a great trip. Have attached a couple of photos. Best regards, & good hunting.” – Anton J.
He hunts different areas in the spring and fall, but both are from lodges. Comfortable lodging and good food is provided. Spring is primarily baiting, with some spot and stalk for those who prefer that. Fall is more spot and stalk, with some baiting. Both periods are equally successful. Spot and stalk is from pickups and ATVs, driving and glassing. You glass clearcuts and cutlines, and bears are out on the grass or in crops. You cover a lot of ground, and some folks like that more than sitting over bait. Others prefer sitting outdoors – your choice! Both are incredibly successful.

Fall hunts are generally archery-only for the last week of August, and rifle the first two weeks of September.

Fall is mostly spot and stalk in and around the grain fields, and that can be very exciting and can produce some huge bears. Bears can be seen hundreds of yards away, and the stalk is on! Bait can be a back-up! Of course, on a spot and stalk, you do not get the same opportunity to size up the bear that you get on a baited hunt, but the challenge of stalking a 7-footer to bow or gun range adds to the thrill. Either way, success is extremely high, with many hunters taking two bears, and with some taking a first bear and then passing up multiple other bears hoping for a monster. Since many hunters like to hold out for a monster second bear, you must realize that the statistics suggest that most hunters are seeing those big second bears and are taking them!! Bears are also heavier by a hundred pounds or so in the fall. Weather can always be a factor, and even more so in the fall. A heavy berry crop can also affect the numbers being seen, but that is simply hunting.

All hunts are 6 days in length. You will be transported on ATVs and pick-up trucks, with some walking as well. Food and lodging is included. For spring bear, in terms of transport details, fly into Edmonton. You then have a choice of either flying or driving into Grande Prairie. Free airport pickup in Grande Prairie is one consideration – saves the rental car fee. Or rent a car in Edmonton and drive. It is about a 4 hour drive, so not a big thing. If you elect to fly, Air Canada is now charging for each firearm transported. Plus airfares have taken a jump in recent years. You can drive for half the cost of flying, plus have the freedom of leaving early if you tag out. So my advice is rent a car in Edmonton, but do it now or soon as demand is high. You do not need a big 4WD in June, but sometimes a late snow does happen and 4WD might be nice then. In the fall, you will need to fly to High Level, Alberta, for pick up, or else to Edmonton and rent a car and drive about 8 hours to camp.

EARLY BOW HUNTS
You bowhunt in the archery-only season from late August to mid-September. During this time, they concentrate on the prime feeding areas, game trails, natural mineral “licks”, and other prime habitat showing fresh bear activity. This is a time when bears are in their feeding patterns. The weather at this time is pleasant and the days are long. The archery-only season starts on August 25 and ends on September 16 for everything but moose – moose ends on September 23. There are no kill fees. There is only the charge for every species that is added to the base archery season cost.

You should also be aware that this same outfitter also has some excellent rifle and bow elk and moose hunts, and some good whitetail hunts. And combos are very possible! Ask us for that information if interested.

NO FORMS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING YOUR HUNTING BOW INTO CANADA!

2025 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received)
2025 Rifle Hunts Dates Base Cost Licenses
Spring Black Bear* (baited hunts sold out; spot and stalk avail.) May 4 – June 15 $5,500 Included
Fall Bear*( baited hunts sold out; spot and stalk avail.) Sept./Oct. $5,500 Included

* 2nd bear is included in cost on spring & fall bear hunts only
** 2nd bear trophy fee $600 on black bear combo hunts

Fall Archery Only Season Single Species or Combos:
Base Price: $4,500 + Chosen Species:
Bear: $500 + $750 for 2nd bear

All prices in US $ and subject to change without notice. Hunt prices are based on a 6-day hunt.
Non-Hunters Accompanying Hunters: $150 per day
Extra Days: $500 per day (2 on 1); $750 (1 on 1)
One on One Hunts: $500 per day extra
50% Deposit Required to Book ANY Hunt
Wolf License is included in all big game hunts

PRICES INCLUDE: Taxes and tax rebates; meals; accommodations; licenses; field dressing; trophy care; your guide; and your ROUND TRIP Transportation between camp and Grande Prairie. All of this is INCLUDED!
NOT INCLUDED: Transport into Grande Prairie from your home; tips; and the import fee on your gun. We will furnish you the forms – it is a simple form and very painless!

GETTING THERE
Fly to Grande Prairie, Alberta where outfitter will pick you up. Or fly to Edmonton and rent a car for approx. 4.5-hour drive to camp. Accommodations are in a nice lodge, 2 to a room, with satellite TV and WIFI.

GETTING YOUR WEAPON INTO CANADA
You are allowed to bring your personal firearm with you. This includes your rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders (NO HANDGUNS!). For your firearms, a simple one-page form is required to be filled out to obtain a temporary Canadian firearms permit. This form can be down-loaded or mailed to you well in advance from The Royal Canadian Mounted Police at www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca. Click on the link on the left hand side for visitors/non-residents, then download the NON-RESIDENT FIREARM DECLARATION (form RCMP 5589/CAFC 909). Completing this in advance should reduce your time clearing customs. DO NOT SIGN IT UNTIL YOU APPEAR IN FRONT OF CUSTOMS, but fill it out. A confirmed declaration costs a flat fee of $25, regardless of the number of firearms listed on it. It is only valid for the person who signs it and for those firearms listed on the declaration. It is a simple form to fill out. IF YOU HAVE A DUI OR A CRIMINAL RECORD, CALL US! YOU MAY BE DENIED ADMITTANCE. NO FORMS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING YOUR HUNTING BOW INTO CANADA!

TO PREVENT PROBLEMS WHEN RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES, YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR FIREARMS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT BY TAKING THEM TO ANY CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL (“CBP”) OFFICE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE UNITED STATES. THE CBP OFFICE WILL REGISTER THEM ON THE SAME CBP FORM 4457 USED TO REGISTER CAMERAS AND COMPUTERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU OFTEN CANNOT SIMPLY DO THIS AT THE AIRPORT WHEN LEAVING THE U.S., SO YOU SHOULD DO THIS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR TRIP.