For the moose-hunting adventure of a lifetime, head afield with a seasoned guide. Here’s why

Advertisement

#2  FINDING AN OUTFITTER

The best resource to begin the search for your dream hunt is the internet. For starters, the website for the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations (www.canada-outfitters.com) includes links to all provincial and territorial outfitter associations, except for Nova Scotia, Nunavut and P.E.I. In turn, the various association websites either have links to their member outfitters, or other contact information.

Advertisement

Of course, you can also conduct your own internet search, selecting key phrases and words such as “moose hunt,” “outfitter” and your desired province or territory. That should also offer up a variety of outfitter options. Look for well-maintained websites, complete with the current year’s information on rates and available dates, and a photo gallery featuring recent successes. This reveals the outfitter’s ongoing commitment to future clients. Some even include a sample itinerary of what a week spent with them would be like, as well as client testimonials.

Even if the website is current and informative, follow up with a phone call. A brief conversation should answer any outstanding questions you have, as well as give you a feel as to how the outfitter operates (see “Key questions”). Also ask for some client references. You’ll likely get positive reviews from the contacts they provide, but it’s still worth emailing or phoning recent clients to ask about their experience, and whether they’d return. You can also enter the outfitter’s name and “reviews” into your search engine to see if anything else pops up.

There are many quality outfitters out there, but it’s up to you to find the one that best meets your expectations and budget. Just be sure to do your research sooner rather than later, as many of the top outfitters are already booking a couple of years out, especially for the prime weeks. The good news is, if they’re busy with bookings, they’re probably worth waiting for.

Advertisement

KEY QUESTIONS

Once you pinpointed a prospective outfitter, follow-up with a phone call or email to ensure you have all the details you need to make an informed decision. Here are some major points to cover.

  1. How long have you been in operation?
  2. How much is the hunt in Canadian dollars?
  3. Does that price include the licence fee and taxes?
  4. Do you do this full-time?
  5. How many hunters are in camp each week?
  6. What is the guide-to-hunter ratio?
  7. How big is the area you hunt?
  8. What does an average hunting day at your camp entail?
  9. What are the success rates at your camp?
  10. Does each hunter have his or her own room?
  11. How much of a deposit is required?
  12. How are the meat and antlers processed and shipped?