Game populations in this outfitters area of the Cariboo Mountains in south Central BC, are currently at very healthy levels due to milder winters and effective management policies. The area’s terrain ranges in elevation between 2200 and 4500 feet and is made up of a variety of landscapes. From the mixed species timber stands and willow-choked meadows in the north to the arid bench lands and river breaks to the south, the area offers a multitude of hunting opportunities for some of North America’s most sought-after species of big game. Black Bear, Wolf, Mule Deer, Moose, White-tailed Deer, Mountain Lion, Ducks, Grouse, Lynx and Bobcat – all are found there!
Hunt Nation founder Butch Manasse’s wife Joan hunted moose with this outfitter. They went 2 for 2. We do not consider this to be a trophy moose hunt, although you are free to shoot whatever you happen to see, be it 20” or 40”. And these are Canada Moose, not Shiras Moose. In moose country, you never know what size will turn up, but do not expect trophy moose. Instead, these are considered “meat moose” hunts, with an outside chance at a bigger one occasionally. Normally we advise shooting the first legal moose you see. There are also good numbers of bears, so a moose/bear combo is a possibility, but you do concentrate on moose. There are also some mule deer here in certain areas, but chances for a bear are much better then chances for a deer. So it is not a bad idea to buy the $125 bear tag, in case you tag a moose early.
Trophy fees for additional animals taken on moose hunts
Black bear $1,000
Mule or Whitetail deer $1,000
Wolf $500
The outfitter has a good number of moose allocations and with the strength of the U.S. dollar against Canada’s, he can offer these hunts at a very attractive price. And we think that his 75% success rate makes this a true bargain! He taxes a maximum of 4 hunters at a time (2 parties of 2). He went 100% on opportunity in 2019, and 7 of 10 hunters put moose on the ground. Bears were also taken by several. One hunter took a very large moose, but most were average meat bulls. But for a 2 species hunt for bear and moose, you cannot beat this deal! And it is for 7 full days! But spots are very limited. And in our opinion, moose meat is about the finest meat! Some might argue, but we cherish our moose meat!!
You hunt by driving logging roads, rough trails, etc., and stopping and glassing and then some hiking of forest, swamps and clear cuts. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO WALK AT LEAST A MILE, AND EASILY GET IN AND OUT OF VEHICLES MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. IF YOU CANNOT DO THAT, PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS HUNT! The fitter you are, the better your chances.
BLACK BEARS: British Columbia is well-known for its excellent black bear hunting. His hunts are conducted on the Coastal divide which gives the opportunity to hunt both BC Coastal and Inland Black Bear. Coastal bears are bigger and the average size squares over 6 feet. Due to rain shadows, one side of the territory has a dryer climate which promotes a higher probability of coming across a color phased bear. This is a very good bear area, so success is normally 100%, and about 25%-30% are color phase bears. Hunting is mainly done by traveling logging roads in 4WD vehicles looking for bears, and also by walking & glassing. They offer transport from Vancouver airport to the hunting area, so no commuter flights or rental cars are necessary.
MOUNTAIN LIONS
This outfitter’s territory is located in a region known for trophy toms. During these winter hunts, you travel snow-covered roads and trails using a 4×4 and/or snowmobile until a suitable cat track is found. Once certain the track is fresh, the hounds are turned loose and the real fun begins. Almost nothing compares to the excitement of trailing a pack of hounds in pursuit of a wild cat. Mature toms in this area range from 140 to 200 lbs. He has experienced guides and dogs, and good equipment. With good snow conditions, his success rate is quite high, and generally very close to 100%. One very nice plus is that you are hunting timbered areas with vast networks of logging roads criss-crossing it, so with trucks and ATVs, once a cat (or bear) trees, you seldom need to walk much more than half a mile, maybe at worst a mile.
BLACKTAIL DEER
Blacktail deer are elusive in the coastal mountains. This makes the trophy from the hunt very rewarding. Be prepared to work for your deer trophy. You must be in good physical shape as this hunt involves tackling steep terrain in wet weather. Hunting season is September through December with a one week archery only season from September 1-9. The rut is mid October to mid November.
2024 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received; all prices in USD)
Moose
Fall season (September- mid November)
1×1 7 day hunt $8,199
2×1 7 day hunt $6,899
Black Bear
Spring seasons (April to mid June) Fall seasons (mid September to November) Bow only Sept 1-9.
2×1 – $3,749 per person 5 day hunt
1×1 – $4,399 per person 5 day hunt
License, tax and Hunting Preservation Fund are extra. A second bear may be taken on a trophy fee basis.
Mountain Lion
7 days 1×1 $13,799
Blacktail Deer
7 days 1×1 $5,799
License, tax and Hunting Preservation Fund are extra. Non-hunting observers are $200 per day.
INCLUDED:
Guiding, in-field transportation, meals and cabin accommodations with full amenities (bring your own sleeping bag).
NOT INCLUDED:
5% tax; licenses/tags; GOABC Hunting Preservation Fund ($210 CAN), unless indicated; accommodations and meals before/after hunt; gratuities; airport transfers ($100 per client); taxidermy; meat processing; shipping of meat/trophies; alcohol; games bags.
GETTING THERE AND BACK WITH MEAT
Fly to Kamloops, BC and the outfitter will pick you up. Or fly to Seattle or Vancouver, rent a car and drive from there. The advantage of that is you have more freedom to leave early if tagged out. About 4.5 hours due north from Vancouver.
When it comes to your meat and trophies, the outfitter has a good expeditor who does a lot of trophy shipping for his hunters. The other option is for outfitter to freeze or salt skins and the client takes them home as extra luggage in a tote – definitely cheaper that way. As far as meat goes, the simplest and least expensive is for clients to take frozen meat with them in a cooler as extra luggage. Expect 250 to 350 pounds of boneless.
GETTING YOUR WEAPON INTO CANADA
You are allowed to bring your personal firearm with you. This includes your rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders (NO HANDGUNS OR FULLY-AUTOMATIC RIFLES!). 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.
