The outfitting season in these northern Rockies commences in August and runs until mid October.

Primetime for Mountain Goats is the whole season, until snow makes the alpine treacherous or impassable.

-Western Canada Moose – Best combined with Mountain Goats in the last half of the season.
-Rocky Mountain Elk – Best combined with Mountain Goats in the first half of the season
-Black Bears – Best combined with Mountain Goats in the first half of the season
-Wolf – Low success rates, but no extra cost. Available throughout the entire outfitting season.
-Fishing – Excellent in the early half of the season, but still good until the end of the season.

These hunts are 10 full days, professionally 1x1 guided. Each morning the wrangler assembles the horses while the guide makes breakfast and packs lunches. Depart camp early, arrive to a strategic glassing spot for the first part of the morning. Move to various other key glassing locations through the day, day after day, if that’s what it takes. Move spike camps to different areas as needed to locate the biggest goats. Once a shooter is identified, the guide examines best routes up the mountain, with shots ideally staying inside of 300 yards. Depending on the scenario, it’s not uncommon to “put goats to bed” with a plan to return first thing in the morning and spend all day focusing on a certain Billy. Once a goat is down, capture it with photos and pack the hide and meat off the mountain. Once the goat is cared for and salted, attention can be turned towards secondary or bonus species such as Moose, Elk, Wolves or Black Bear.

Most clients bring proven, personal rifles from home, as non-residents entering Canada with firearms for the purposes of hunting is relatively quick and simple. Mountain Goats live in higher elevations, and typical shot ranges would be around 250-350 yards. Recommended calibers should be flat shooting, roughly 6mm or larger, especially if planning to combine with moose or elk. Quality rifle rentals/ammo can at times also be rented for international clients at a price of $500 for the duration of the hunt.

Archery hunting is catered to, and while more feasible for Moose and Elk, which can be called in, can be possible for Mountain goats in the hands of an experienced and practiced archery hunter. Typical shooting ranges would be 40-50 yards or slightly further.

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 but the goats are not always up high, often spotted in the timber or caught trading across valleys. White Spruce, Aspen and Balsam 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, and Grey Jays.

In this land of extremes, the weather is no different. Early season is generally warm, while late season can expect snow. Precipitation is not generally prevalent but quality rain gear is always encouraged. Early season can be buggy in the low country, while late season can see strong winds in the high country. Temperatures should generally be above the freezing mark, but late season or higher elevations will see temperatures drop. Hunters are encouraged to come prepared for anything, as all weather types can be experienced over the course of these 10-day hunts.

Accommodations on this hunt will vary and can depend on the specific hunting areas. Hunters initially arrive at the main lodge, with several lakeside log cabins that include a main building with common areas, kitchen and dining areas. There is also a shower, bathhouse and sleeping cabins. The lodge is complete with Wi-Fi and phone service. While hunting, established camp locations with a rustic trapper cabin, or nice wall tents are both used. Most have outhouses, single frame beds with sleeping pads, lantern, propane cooking stoves, chairs and picnic tables. Portions of these hunts also occur from spike camps which are simple but effective. Nice dome style tents, with lanterns and stoves position hunters exactly where then 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 a 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, pork chops or wild game steaks with instant rice, potatoes or sidekicks. However, while transitioning through the main lodge, you can enjoy hearty wholesome home cooked meals!

Destination City:
Hunters are asked to arrive to either Prince George or Fort St. John, BC, and usually overnight in a hotel. Greet outfitter staff in the lobby early the next morning, and depart for an approx. 2-hour charter flight directly to the main lodge airstrip.

Travel Suggestions:
The destination cities are most easily reached from several major western Canadian airports, especially Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton, with best airline options being Westjet or Air Canada.