Our main base camp is located just 9 miles southwest of the town of Houston, B.C., a town of 3,000 residents known for its forestry products industry and its amazing outdoors recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. The nearby town of Smithers is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. Houston claims that it has the largest flyfishing rod in the world, and undisputedly it has world-class steelhead fishing. Houston is located along Highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway.

The drive from the United States follows major highways well served by a variety of fuel stations, rest stops, motels and hotels, and restaurants. Houston is a 3 ½ hour drive west on Highway 16 from Prince George, the largest town in Northern B.C., having well over 100,000 residents, and thus with many retail options for overnight stays and supplies before you head to camp.

If flying, Air Canada flies into Smithers Airport (YYD), which is approximately 45 miles north of Houston. Other major airports within about 3-3 ½ hour drive from Houston include Prince George Airport (YXS) (190 miles east) and Terrace, B.C. (YXT) (167 miles northwest). Car rentals are located at all three airports, or you can make other arrangements with us in advance of your arrival for ground transportation. Due to limited flights into Smithers, sometimes we advise guests to explore possible flights into the more frequently served airport at Prince George, then either rent a vehicle or contact us to arrange alternative ground transportation.

BRINGING A HUNTING RIFLE ACROSS THE BORDER INTO CANADA
You will need to fill out a form. If you’re 18 years of age or older, the proper form to fill out is the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration. The declaration form should be filled out prior to arrival at the point of entry, in order to save time. However, it should not be signed before arriving at the entry point, as a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs officer must witness the signature. Once the declaration has been confirmed by the CBSA customs officer, it acts as a license for the owner and as a temporary registration certificate for the firearms brought to Canada; it is valid for 60 days. A confirmed declaration costs a flat fee of $25, regardless of the number of firearms listed on it. It is
valid only for the person who signs it and only for those firearms listed on the declaration.
Get it here:
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/2347/original/d369a605ac3363b569af5ea5dc40c88d.pdf

TRANSPORTING YOUR FIREARMS
When crossing the border (or anytime while transporting your firearms in Canada), your firearms must be unloaded, encased and locked in either a lockable hard cover gun case or with trigger locks attached. Ammunition must be stowed separate from your firearms. When you reach the point of entry where Customs checks your passport or other credential (an “enhanced” driver’s license from many US States can suffice if you do not have a passport), inform the official that you have a hunting rifle or rifles to declare. You most likely will be diverted to the office where the Non-Resident Firearm Declaration form is reviewed and signed, and the firearm checked, and the $25 fee paid. As a cautionary note, do not expect to be able to bring bear spray, mace, or similar such personal protective deterrents across the border into Canada.

AMMUNITION
Although we recommend bringing no more than 40 rounds of ammunition, you may bring up to 200 rounds of ammunition into B.C. for the purpose of hunting. This is 200 total rounds of ammunition and not 200 rounds per gun. To purchase ammunition while in Canada, you’ll need to show your confirmed Firearms Declaration Form.

HANDGUNS
Leave your handguns behind. Canada does not allow concealed carry firearms, and handguns fall into a very restricted category, which means there are additional regulations regarding their acquisition, use and transport. If you have a handgun with you when trying to cross the border into Canada the consequences may be severe, including possible loss of the handgun and arrest. Don’t take a chance. For complete information on Canadian firearms laws, visit the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) website at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms.com

Non-resident hunters must be familiar with B.C. hunting laws and regulations before hunting in B.C. To review the current laws and regulations, they may be found here: Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/hunting/regulations-synopsis
Our guiding territories are located in the southern portion of Region 6, Skeena.

All hunting licenses and tags are guaranteed available. You do not need to apply for any species tags prior to your hunt. If you have booked and paid for your hunt, license and tags, then we will have them waiting for you upon your arrival at camp. You must carry your hunting species tags and photo ID on your person at all times while hunting.​ The costs for licenses, tags, taxes and miscellaneous fees are set out below, which are current as of Aug.
2023 but subject to change by government. All prices quoted for are for non-resident licenses and tags, and all are quoted in Canadian Dollars.

Non-Res. Hunting License $180.
Moose tag $250/ gov’t harvest royalty $125
Black Bear tag $180/ gov’t harvest royalty $75
Wolf tag $50/ gov’t harvest royalty, $50
Deer tag $125/ gov’t harvest royalty $50
Mountain Goat tag $350/ gov’t harvest royalty $150
Wolverine tag $40
Lynx tag $40
Upland Game Bird (e.g., grouse) $50.00
Fishing – 8 Days $56.00
MISCELLANEOUS FEES
5% GST tax of licenses, tags, and hunt price
Wildlife Conservation Fee $250

Our big game animals provide high quality meat and we take special care to get the meat out as cleanly as possible. Upon harvesting your game your guide will field dress and possibly quarter the animal. Once the game is back at main camp, we are equipped with a walk-in cooler for hanging and further cleaning and trimming of the meat. . If you have driven up from the States you can take all your meat back with you, either after being
processed and cut and wrapped by a local butcher or deboned at camp so you can take the meat across the border. Recent law changes require that moose and deer meat be deboned before crossing into the States. Having meat processed locally into your preferred cuts, then wrapped and flash frozen, is your choice and at your expense.

Some species (e.g., moose and mountain goats) require further inspection and in the case of mountain goats, permitting, before leaving the country. Compulsory Inspections are done locally by government biologists by arrangement. Any necessary additional shipping fees, exporting license fees and taxidermy fees for antlers or hides left with us are at the expense of the client. If you have flown it is usually not feasible to take all of your meat home with you, but you can take the best cuts back with you on the plane in a cooler as extra baggage. Check with your airlines as to their
policies on transporting game meat and antlers. Any meat left with us will be donated to the guides or local families in need, or to the Meat Donation Program of the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia in collaboration with certain local
butcher shops.

To legally bring firearms into Canada, you must be 18 years of age or older. If you have younger hunters travelling with you, their guns must be declared by an adult. All hunters under the age of 18 must have a minor’s firearm license. Applications can be obtained by calling the Canadian Firearms Program’s National Contact Center at 1-800-731-4000.

We use satellite phones, a satellite-based messaging system (primarily Garmin’s inReach® devices), and radios for any necessary communications when cell service is not available. At the main lodge we have a landline phone for local and international calls. A satellite dish provides WiFi which can be used for email, video streaming and meetings should circumstances require staying in touch with your office.

In addition to many fine lakes having cutthroats, rainbow trout, lake trout, and others, our territory has some of the finest steelhead rivers in the world. The entirety of the Morice River runs through our territory and joins with the Bulkley River near the town of Houston. The Bulkley is a major tributary of the Skeena River. The Bulkley River is also a major tourist destination for anglers targeting wild
steelhead. The Morice River has been called the single best dry fly fishery in the world. Steelhead fishing on the clear waters of the Morice was featured in a New York Times outdoors article in November, 2018.
Many clients enjoy self-guided fishing on a mid-afternoon break from a moose hunt, or before an evening bear hunt, or when they finish their hunt early.

An initial non-refundable Deposit of 20% at time of booking secures your trip and holds your dates via our Hunt Reservation form. Your remaining balance is due in the year of your hunt. By March 1, balances must be brought to 50% of the hunt price, and by July 1, the remaining 50% must be paid.
Estimated fees for your non-resident hunting license, species tags, GST taxes (5%), and wildlife conservation fee should also be paid by July 1 so your license and tag(s) are waiting for you in camp. Once your hunt is paid you will receive our guided hunt contract with terms and conditions that are standard in the BC big game outfitting industry. You may be requested to show this contract when entering Canada (and in some instances when re-entering the US), so border officials know you will be hunting with a licensed outfitting operation.
Deposits and any subsequent payments toward your hunt are Non-Refundable. With our permission, and depending on availability, hunts may be transferred to the immediately following year with at least two month’s advanced notice to us. Any increase in prices for the following year will be your responsibility. Alternatively, you may substitute a different individual in your place with at least one month’s notice to us. We often recommend trip cancellation insurance. We do not provide refunds, so we recommend that you get coverage in the event you cannot make the hunt

The Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. (GOABC) has a program for various trip insurance companies. The program for clients of GOABC members includes trip cancellation, trip interruption and in-Canada emergency medical coverage. The coverage is specifically designed for adventure and wilderness trips. It may be accessed at the following link: https://www.goabc.org/hunting-in-british-columbia/travel-insurance/

Gratuities are a significant way hunters can express their appreciation for the extra effort, skill and care our staff go to on your behalf. Gratuities also help to balance the disparities between the guiding business and many other opportunities that exist for such skilled individuals in a competitive employment market. Although amounts vary, 15% of the value of your hunt is typical in the outfitting industry.