Pre-Trip Planner
Elk Hunt
British Columbia
Introduction:
This well-established outfitter has been guiding in this part of British Columbia for over 30 years and had his own guiding service since 1993. This prime hunting area covers about 4,400 square kilometers. This is the largest guiding territory in the southeastern corner of British Columbia and encompasses the 80 mile Kootenay Lake. This area can be physically challenging and horseback hunters will need to be good riders. It should be noted that this area has seen very little hunting pressure the last 20-25 years. Prior to this outfitter purchasing the hunting rights for this area, it had never been available to non-resident hunters.
The Hunt:
Bow-only season is September 1 - 9, followed by gun season from Sept 10 - October 20. This is a 7 day hunt in varying types of mountain terrain. Based on your personal preference and the terrain, the hunts can be conducted by horseback, quads, 4x4 trucks or on foot. The guides are experienced and knowledgeable in their hunting skills and will do their best to help you have a successful hunt.
Hunting elk in the rut or during bugling season makes for an exciting experience. The rut normally takes place from late August till early September. Bow hunts are normally scheduled the first week of September. They do 4 weeks of rifle hunts beginning September 10th going to about October 15th. There are 6 hunters per hunt.
With a six point minimum on one side of their rack, this species is allowed the opportunity to fully mature into 280 to 350 class bulls. Both hunting areas have good elk. Usually the larger bulls are seen from late September to mid-October after the rut.
With the variety of terrain offered due to the differences in the hunting areas, hunters of all physical condition and abilities can have great experiences with this outfitter. Hunts can be very challenging based on the area and method you choose to hunt. At the same time, hunts can be made much easier for those that need such an experience, regardless of the reason. This outfitter wants to give you a great experience and one you can enjoy. This hunt gives you the opportunity to add-on a black bear, mule deer & whitetail deer for minimal trophy fees. These add-on animals should be considered as a bonus and hunted only after you harvest your elk, but that's your decision. Black bear are normally available the entire season, while the deer hunting is normally better in October.
This is basically a spot and stalk type hunt using various means of transportation. You move from spot to spot and then sit and watch or "glass" large mountain sides and clear cut areas. Once you see a shooter, you and your guide will come up with a plan to close the distance for a shot.
Normally the outfitter will pick the area and camp where you will stay close to your hunt dates based upon sign and recent sightings.
Accommodations:
You might stay in a cozy log cabin which is the outfitters' home or spike cabin camps depending on the location of the game or your request. Their home is very comfortable with four double occupancy bedrooms and two bathrooms. There are two bedrooms and a bath on each floor. There are two comfortable sitting areas, a game room and large covered deck. Private rooms might be available upon request.
There are six spike cabin camps in this area, and they will keep adding more due to the size of the area. These camps are designed where you can stay at this location for your entire hunt if needed, or you might move to another spike camp if things are slow. Cabins can accommodate four people (two hunters and two guides) comfortably and could handle six if necessary. All have running water; some have showers. They have bunk beds, outhouses, propane heaters, lights and stoves.
Daily Schedule:
Wake at 5 a.m. and leave about 6 a.m., depending on driving time, to hunting area. Hunt until lunch and break for a couple of hours. Hunt from 4 or 5 p.m. until 8p.m. or so, 9 p.m. dinner and 10:30 bed.
2013 PRICE: $7,000
Included:
- Meals, beverages and snacks upon arrival at camp
- 7 days / 7 nights
- Accommodations
- Opportunity for 1 elk
- Field prep of your hides
- 1x1 guided hunt
- Open bar
Not Included:
- Hotel before/after hunt including meals
- Travel to/from BC and rental car
- Baggage overweight charges
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Hunting license: $220 (2012)
- Elk tag: $300 (2012)
- Tags for add-on animals
- Trophy fees for additional add-ons: Only $500 each
- GST Tax: 6% of hunt cost subject to change
- Non-Resident Hunting Preservation Fund: $150 (2012)
- Tips: recommended 7-10% of hunt cost for a guideline. Completely up to you!
- Non-hunting guest: $200 per day
Seasons: Almost every hunt offers a different species add-on animal opportunity!
Elk - September 1 (Archery Elk) September 9 thru October 15
Black Bear - May 1 thru June 30
Mule Deer - October 20 thru November 15
Whitetail Deer - October 24 thru November 15
Grizzly Bear - May 1 thru June 30
Mountain Lion - December 1 thru January 30
Shiras Moose - October 15 thru November 15
Rocky Mtn. Goat - September thru November
Fishing - May thru October
Travel Schedule and Border Information:
We recommend you fly to Spokane, WA because it is less expensive and easier travel. Arrive the day prior to the hunt and rent a car for the 4 - 4 ½ hour drive to the lodge. If all goes well, you will be settled into your camp that afternoon / evening and begin your hunt the following morning, day 1. If not, you will head out to camp first thing next morning and begin your hunt A.S.A.P. On your 7th day you will hunt until around noon and then return to camp, pack up and drive back to Spokane. You will spend the night there and catch your flight home the following day.
The border gate is open from 7 AM-11 PM, so you need to arrive in Spokane by 6 PM to make the border crossing. It’s about 3 hours to the border from the airport without any traffic problems.
Remember, DO NOT book your return flight on the night of your last hunting day (day 7) because if you shoot something that morning you could miss your flight! Be safe and leave the next day.
Passport and Visa Needed?
Yes, a passport is needed with at least 6 months left before its' expiration from the date of departure from the foreign country. You must have at least three empty pages left on your passport. No visa is required at this time. Be sure to check just before trip time for any changes in this countries' policies at http://travel.state.gov
Passports for Children:
Traveling with Minors -- All children must have their own passports when traveling overseas. To obtain a passport, the child must be present -- that is, in person -- at the center issuing the passport. Both parents must be present as well. If not, then a notarized statement from the parents is required. Any questions parents or guardians might have can be answered by calling the National Passport Information Center at tel. 877/487-2778 Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm Eastern Standard Time, or log on to the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov and do a search for "Foreign Entry Requirements."
CHILDREN'S PASSPORTS ARE ONLY VALID FOR 5 YEARS.
Travel Documents:
- Canadian Non-Resident Firearm Declaration form for Canada customs (3 copies – unsigned) We will assist you in filling out this form.
- U.S. Customs Form #4457 to register your guns and camera here in the U.S. We will explain how to do this.
After I book this trip...What's Next?
1. A&AW (Antlers & Anglers Worldwide) will invoice you for a 50% deposit and send you a release form to confirm your spot and a link to the pre-trip planner.
2. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance which can be purchased via the link at the bottom of this page. Travel insurance is time sensitive and must be purchased within 14 days of the initial deposit to recieve the most complete coverage. It protects you from medical expenses while traveling, cancellation due to natural disaster, illness, death in the family,and lodge closings; in this day and time, anything is possible. Lodges count on you to protect your investment.
3. Make your travel arrangements and check on your passport if needed for this trip.
4. A&AW will send you a detailed clothing & equipment list. Be sure to look it over to see if you need to plan ahead for any special purchases!
5. 120 days out from your trip, you will receive a final invoice for the remainder of the balance due 90 days before the trip.
6. The final countdown information details will be sent to you which will include emergency numbers and directions.
7. Have a fantastic trip! Call us if you need anything.
8. Upon your return, we will call you to see how the trip went! This is valuable input for us so please be very honest.
9. It's time to plan you next trip! Thanks for your business!
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
If you need help with your airline travel and accommodations before or after your trip we recommend Jacky Keith, president of Esplanade Travel in Boston. Contact her at jkeith@esplanadetravel.com or 800-628-4893.
Travel Insurance: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
While Antlers & Anglers does everything in our power to protect our clients from travel problems however we cannot prevent illness, deaths, or lodge closings; we live in uncertain times! The only way to guarantee your investment in your trip is through travel insurance. Most health insurance companies do not cover international medical expenses. There are many good companies available. We recommend Travelex because of their service and their company ratings. The Travelex Insurance link is available through our website at the bottom of this page.
Antlers & Anglers is similar to a travel agent in that we send your payments directly to the outfitter. Should something unforeseen happen, Antlers & Anglers will only be able to refund money that fits the lodges’ refund policy! Please buy travel insurance for your protection.
Finally, travel insurance is time sensitive and must be purchased within a certain number of days of your deposit to cover preexisting conditions, lodge closings and other various issues. It is still available later but the benefits may be more limited.
Global Rescue:
As a service to our clients, the Global Rescue link is available through our website at www.globalrescue.com . Global rescue will actually rescue you from any location, even the bottom of a cliff. They have ex special ops rescuers, jet service and Johns Hopkins doctors on call to assist you anywhere in the world.
Deposit, Refund Policy, and Releases:
- A signed liability release waiver for AAW, LLC is required and must be sent with the initial deposit. See link at bottom of the destination page to print your release.
- Each lodge will have their own release for you to sign upon arrival at the lodge.
- 50% non-refundable deposit with your signed release will be due at the time of booking to hold your spot. Your spot is not guaranteed until your deposit is received.
- The remaining balance of the trip cost will be due 90 days prior to your departure.
- Due to the financial exposure from cancelled trips, lodges are revising and tightening their policies on cancellations and refunds; in more and more instances they are not permitting refunds, re-scheduling, or substitutions. In light of these new policies and the uncertain economy, Antlers & Anglers Worldwide, LLC (AAW, LLC) strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance. Since the cost of your trip is significant and must be paid in advance and prior to your departure, you stand to lose a considerable sum of money if you must cancel your trip or if something unforeseen happens. If the lodge will allow substitutes, you may substitute one or more persons in place of yourself or others who have confirmed reservations for your trip. Payments by individuals who are substituted for one or more persons on your trip will be credited toward payments made by such person(s) to AAW, LLC. To the extent of any such payments, AAW, LLC will issue a corresponding refund. If requested, AAW, LLC will assist you in your efforts to find a suitable substitute, although no assurance is given that one will be found.
