Pursue some of the continent’s northernmost Elk herds where hunting pressure is barely existent. Peak bugle, 10-day rifle hunts yield excellent success rates, with options to combine with Mountain Goat, Moose & bonus trout fishing on this remote wilderness adventure!
| TRIP DURATION |
10 professionally guided 1×1 hunting days |
| PHYSICAL LEVEL |
Medium |
| PRIME TIME |
Mid-August until Mid-October |
| WILDLIFE STATUS |
Wild, Free-ranging & Indigenous |
Package Highlights
Tangle with some of Canada’s most northern and remote Elk population! Beautiful and game-rich, this region in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is as beautiful as it is remote. A vast hunting territory with several prominent rivers carving through holds a healthy resident population of Mountain goats. The elk population is in fact only growing, and with each passing year, the elk hunting has only been getting better and better!
This region in British Columbia enforces a minimum 6-point antlers restriction, which allows many young elk to grow up and express their full potential! With that, many 6×6, 300+ inch Elk roam these mountains and their haunting bugles echo through the valleys. Recent forest fires, aggressive wolf trapping & shooting, and extremely limited hunting pressure have all contributed to this expanding local Elk population growth, now well established in the region.
With 10 full, 1×1 guided days, venture to the remote corners of this huge outfitting area in search of elk. Depending on which herd is being targeted, hunt by horseback, jet boat, or side by side to locate bugling harems of Elk. Set out from the main lodge and overnight in wall tents or trappers’ cabins along the way, eventually spiking out in strategic areas if and as needed. A rich assortment of other game such as Moose, Mountain Goats, Stone Sheep, Wolves, and Black Bears can also be targeted in what is the closest thing to a North American mountain hunting safari.
Moose in the mid 50+ inch range, or large-bodied and heavy horned Mountain Goat Billy’s ensure that no one goes home empty-handed. Take these species in place of an Elk if desired, or combine these species on a flat rate trophy fee basis only due upon successful harvest. Black Bears and Wolves are also available as targets of opportunity with no trophy fee required. The only catch is that hunters must pre-purchase any tags for species they may wish to harvest before the hunt commences.
As a final bonus, the region is home to spectacular Bull Trout fishing in the fall, many of which have never seen an anglers lure. These large, highly aggressive fish attack lures and are widespread in all the major local riverways. Averaging 6-8 lbs, with many over 10 lbs caught here each season.
Typical Day & Tactics
Arrive in Prince George or Fort St. John, and typically overnight at a hotel. The following morning cab to the charter plane base and depart on a quick but beautiful flight to the main lodge. Meet your guides upon arrival and make final preparations to head out on the land. Overnight at the main lodge and depart by horseback, or jetboat the following morning. Most hunts away from base camp occur from wall tents or a trapper cabin. Spike camps during an Elk hunt are not typical, but available if needed should expeditions trek deeper into the vast wilderness of the outfitting territory.
Each morning the wrangler assembles the horses while the guide makes breakfast and packs lunches. Depart camp early arriving to a strategic glassing or calling spot for the first part of the morning. Move to various other key glassing/calling locations throughout the day, or for multiple days, if that’s what it takes. Move camp to different areas as needed to locate the herds of Elk and biggest bulls. Once the herd is located, it’s best to take some time to “meet the players” and determine the quality of the herd bull. Once a shooter is identified, the rest of the hunt usually comes together quite quickly, but it’s important to make a good shot! Often shots occur inside of archery range, the norm is 300 yards, but at times can be longer, as needed.
Once an Elk is down, immortalize it with photos, and get the packhorse or Jetboat in to do the heavy lifting. Once the meat is cared for, skull cap cleaned, and hide salted, attention can be put towards secondary or bonus species such as Moose, Mountain Goats, Wolves, or Black Bear.
This far north, the Elk begin bugling earlier than in most areas, and late August already sees the bulls fighting and breeding. The bugle stays hot into late September, followed by the secondary rut in mid-October. The first half of Elk season coincides perfectly with trophy Mountain Goat or Black Bear hunting, while the last half lends itself better to Moose and Wolves as the Moose rut really fires up in late September. At this point, the high alpine becomes snowy and treacherous in terms of Goats, and most bears will have already denned up for the winter. The Bull Trout fishing however is good throughout!
Once back at the main lodge, spend the last evening repacking personal gear or meat for the trip home before the charter plane arrives. Meat needs to accompany hunters as checked luggage if they wish to bring it home personally. Several coolers of deboned meat salvages most of the prime cuts and complies with most airline regulations. Meat can otherwise be donated or shipped. Hides and antlers will be brought to a local taxidermist who can complete the work, or tan and prep the trophies for export.
Landscape & Climate
This region of the central Rockies is largely subalpine with steep green mossy or rocky slopes above vast conifer forests. Meandering ridge tops separate various large basins carved out by several prominent local rivers. The timberline rises to roughly 6000 feet, and the Elk can literally be found from the valley floor to low elevation peaks or hillsides. Spruce, Pine, Fir, and Poplar forests prevail. Huckleberry crops seem endless some years and the low country is laced with Alder thickets. This wilderness is also home to Grizzly bears, Pine Martins, Porcupines, Lynx, Beaver, Chipmunks, Bald & Gold Eagles, Ravens, Grey Jays in addition to all of the huntable species.
This is a land of extremes. Early season is generally warm, while late season can often see snow. Precipitation is not generally prevalent but quality rain gear is always encouraged. Early season can be warm in the low country, while late season can see cold winds in the high country. Temperatures should generally be above the freezing mark, but late season or higher elevations will see the mercury fall. Hunters are encouraged to come prepared for anything, as any-and-all weather types will likely be experienced over the course of these 10-day hunts.
Meals & Accommodations
Accommodations on this hunt will vary throughout the trip and can depend on the specific hunting area or primary species. All hunters initially arrive at the main lodge or base camp. Here there are several lakeside log homestead buildings that include a main building with common areas, kitchen, and dining areas. There is also a shower, bathhouse, and mobile sleeping quarters for guides. The lodge is complete with Wi-Fi and phone service to keep in touch while away. While hunting, some locations are complete with rustic trapper cabins, or nice wall tent camps with cots and wooden floorboards. Most have outhouses, lantern lighted with propane cooking stoves, and guide constructed chairs and picnic tables. Portions of these hunts also occur from spike camps which are simple but provide for a hunter’s needs. Nice dome-style tents, with lanterns and stoves, position hunters exactly where they need to be at dawn each morning.
While out on the land, the guides cook over campfire or Coleman stoves. Meals are filling but effort is made to pack light. Typical breakfasts consist of hash browns, eggs, bacon, coffee, juice, toast, and porridge with berries. Plan on packing a lunch made up of sandwiches, trail mix, protein bars, some fruit, and juice crystals. Dinner time brings items like hamburger helper, beans, smokies and sausages, Mountain House (Chicken Teriyaki, Spaghetti), pork chops, or wild game steaks with instant rice, potatoes, or sidekicks. While transitioning through the main lodge, enjoy hearty wholesome home-cooked meals.
Key Equipment Suggestions
Once a hunt is confirmed, the outfitter can provide a complete list of the required equipment to ensure hunters are prepared for the conditions and this style of hunting. Key equipment items include; quality, lightweight, layered clothing for weather that ranges from warm sunny days in August, to cold snowy days in early October, lightweight -20C or colder rated sleeping bag, sleeping pad, a good lightweight internal frame day-pack, hydration system, quality binoculars, spotting scope and rangefinder, trekking poles, good quality broken-in hiking boots and gators, a headlamp, a backup flashlight, multitool, quality raingear, and a digital camera. Hunter orange is not required in British Columbia. Lastly, firearms and archery equipment, or both.
Pricing
Trophy Mountain Hunts: 10 full days – 1×1 guided – x 1 Elk (Goat or Moose) – August-October – $12,000
- Trophy Fee: Opportunistic “stumble-on” combo (Elk, Goat, or Moose) $4500 each plus licensing.
- Custom Trips: Extra hunting days can be arranged in advance at $1000/day for up to 12-14 days
Included
- 10 days 1×1 professional guiding with an experienced local guide
- All meals and wall tent/lodge accommodations during the hunt
- A string of 9-12 pack horses & wrangler for the duration of the hunt (if needed)
- All overland or river transportation during the hunt (Horses, Quad, Jet boat)
- Bonus Black Bear & Wolf hunting as targets of opportunity (No Trophy Fees)
- Bonus Bull Trout fishing opportunities if possible, or tagged out early
- Basic trophy skull & hide preparations for the taxidermist
- Deboning meat and basic prep for travel home if desired
Not Included
- 5% Government Sales Tax (GST)
- British Columbia non-resident hunting license, Wildlife Preservation Fund, & Tags
- Travel to the destination city of Prince George or Fort St John, BC
- Any pre and post hunt meals and/or hotel accommodations as needed
- Return charter flights between Prince George/Fort St John and the main lodge
- Trophy fees for any additional game animals harvested (Moose, Goat, Elk, Sheep)
- Gratuities to guides and staff
Additions
- Extra hunting days: $1000/day (must be confirmed in advance – schedule depending)
- Non-hunting observer days: $175/day
- Rifle Rental (if possible) $500
- Round Trip Charter Flights – $800-1200
- BC Non-res Hunting License – $189
- Hunter Preservation Fund – $200
- BC Non-res Rocky Mtn Elk Tag – $265
- BC Non-res Mountain Goat Tag – $370
- BC Non-res Western Moose Tag – $265
- BC Non-res Stone Sheep Tag – $650
- BC Non-res Wolf Tag – $55 (no limit)
- BC Non-res Black Bear Tag – $189 (up to x2)
- Non-resident Fishing license – $75
Trophy fees for additional game species (upon harvest);
- Western Moose – $4500
- Mountain Goat – $4500
- Stone Sheep – $21,000
- Wolf – No charge
- Black Bear – No charge
- Fishing – No charge
Destination City
Hunters are asked to arrive at Prince George or Fort Saint John BC, and overnight in a hotel. Depart the following morning by charter flight less than two hours in duration to the main lodge.
Travel Suggestions
Prince George or Fort Saint John are most easily reached from several major western Canadian airports, especially Vancouver, Calgary, or Edmonton, with best airline options being WestJet or Air Canada.
Airport Shuttles
Round trip shuttles between the airport or hotel and charter plane base are not always included and most hunters simply take a cab from the airport & hotel/charter plane base.
Special Info
Passport required for all international travel. Non-Canadian citizens can be denied access into Canada if they have a recent DUI or any other criminal infraction.
Dave – Ontario, CAN
Having been born & raised in Ontario Canada, I’ve spent the bulk of my life perfecting the art of locating and hunting Bull Moose, Whitetails, and Black Bears, but it was time to spread my wings. After Adrian of Taiga set up an amazing African plains game Safari hunt a couple of years ago, I knew just who to contact when my son and I started thinking about a high-success, wilderness father and son elk hunt!
Adrian knew just the right outfitter for our hunt and things fell into place very quickly and easily. When we arrived at the remote outpost camp, it was obvious that these guys knew their stuff and that our success, safety, and overall great experience were their number one priority. Within the first few days, their scouting and hard work had paid off, as both my son and I had each harvested beautiful 6×6 bulls! As an added bonus, they also hooked us up with some world-class Bull Trout fishing that was simply incredible and unexpected!
If you are ever considering planning that adventure of a lifetime, don’t hesitate to let Adrian of Taiga International Outfitters make your dream finally become a reality. I can’t wait to book my next adventure with him. I’m thinking Red Stag in Poland or perhaps Coastal Black Bear in the Temperate Rainforests of western BC. Perhaps both… but either way I’m confident it’s going to be yet another epic adventure! Thanks again.
