Question 1

What do I need to bring?

Question 2

Arrival and transport

Accepted Answer

Closest Airport: Grande Prairie, Alberta CYQU you will clear Canada customs in likely Calgary or Vancouver and have a connecting flight to Grande Prairie.

Depending on arrival time and your hunt start date we will either pick you up at the airport or your hotel the following day and take you to base camp.

Driving: Our base camp is accessible by main road and a secure place to leave your personal vehicle. If you are driving up for a moose hunt and wish to take your meat home, we highly recommend bringing a freezer along to keep it cool for the trip home.

It’s a 2 hour drive from Grande Prairie to our base camp where you can organize your gear, check your gun and either get comfy at base or head out to one of our spike camps to start your adventure.

Question 3

How much should I tip?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is not mandatory and we don't want to pressure our clients so the following should be regarded as a guideline as we do get asked about this frequently.

GUIDES
Our guides and camp staff do accept tips, and we can say that they are greatly appreciated and go a long way towards making guiding a feasible career choice.

Ultimately, as in many service industries, tipping is left up to the individual but, as a general practice, 10-15% of the trip cost is a common gratuity. This is not an expectation, simply a ball- park figure.
 
Guides work incredibly long, hard hours for their hunter, often spending days before your arrival preparing for your trip. They are using their own ATVS, pickups and gear, not to mention juggling their entire year around being available for the hunting season. We hope that all of our staff goes above and beyond to make your trip fun and successful.

If a guide does an exceptional job for you, puts you on an extraordinary animal, works unusually hard for you, and/or shows you the adventure of your lifetime, they deserve be treated well.

COOK
Again, this entirely at your discretion and dependent on how many days you spent in a camp where there was a cook who was not also your guide and if you enjoyed the food. $100-$300 is a basic number if you spent multiple days at base camp.

Question 4

Guns and Ammunition

Accepted Answer

You can print this form below and have it filled out when you reach the Canadian border. It will help travelling into the country with your rifle be easier and faster:

https://rcmp.ca/sites/default/files/doc/5589e.pdf

The destination address for the form above will be provided to you upon booking.
 
You will need a good rifle that you are comfortable shooting, if you’re trying to decide on a caliber feel free to consult with us at anytime if uncertain. Whichever firearm you decide to bring please ensure you know how it works and you are very confident shooting it, we can not stress this enough.

Handguns and suppressors are NOT permitted to be used or carried when hunting in Canada.

Please ensure you bring 30-40 Rounds Ammo. Check with ALL the airlines you intend on flying with, some require Ammo to be in the original boxing.

For any further questions please contact us.

Question 5

Trophy Care and Transport

Accepted Answer

We will arrange for trophies left in our care to be sent to the proper venues for cleaning and international shipping. All handling, shipping and processing charges are separate from the hunt costs. We will assist to the best of our ability to make this process smooth and worry-free, however costs and timing are not under the direct control of Compass Mountain Outfitters.

Trophies will be prepared in camp by Compass Mountain as reasonably as time permits. Our US clients can take their salted and boiled bears home with them. We do charge a salting and head boiling fee but highly recommend this option as your trophy will fly home with you.

For Europe, several countries require that the hide be tanned prior to import. BC tanneries have been extremely slow and this is out of our hands if the tanning process delays your trophy import. For Scandinavia and much of Mainland Europe we recommend Labrador Cargo based in Denmark for trophy imports.

Meat can be taken home with you or signed over to your guide or outfitter. (Please check with your airline if you are flying) We recommend bringing a freezer to get it home in good shape.
If you are driving, we will do our very best to make sure you have the permits necessary to take your trophy home with you.

Question 6

What are the camps like?

Accepted Answer

The BC Base camp is located on a scenic lake and accessible by road. With WiFi, satellite tv, hot water on demand, showers, a professional cook, and private heated bunkhouses, it is the ideal place to unwind after your days of adventure in the field. Depending on the time of year and which hunt you have booked, you may hunt from one of our many outpost camps. While more rustic than base camp, these cabins are comfortable and well set up to keep you in the heart of the hunting action.You may also be "spiking out". This means that you will be packing up your gear at base camp and heading out into the wilderness with your guide. Spike camps are composed wall tents or light-duty tents depending on the location of your camp. You will most likely not have internet connection at these locations unless you bring a satellite device. Weather can vary, although typical weather during this time can be between 0 degrees - 15 degrees Celsius. Be sure to check out "What should I bring" for a gear list or inquire when booking.

Question 7

What will the weather be like?

Accepted Answer

If your wondering about weather conditions during your hunt, you can monitor the Weather Network for Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia by clicking the link below:
Tumbler Ridge, BC Current Weather - The Weather Network

In Tumbler Ridge, BC, September average temperatures range from highs of approximately 57°F (14°C) to lows of 38°F (4°C). October sees a further drop to lows around 27°F (-2°C) and highs of 53°F (12°C), while November temperatures are similar, often feeling very cold with highs around 45°F (7°C) and lows near 29°F (-1°C), so plan for progressively colder weather, with November feeling significantly cold.

September 
Average High: Around 57°F (14°C) 
Average Low: Around 38°F (4°C) 
Description: Moderately chilly, with a general feeling of being breezy.

October 
Average High: Around 53°F (12°C) 
Average Low: Around 27°F (-2°C) 
Description: Temperatures continue to decrease, with lows rarely falling below 13°F (-11°C).

November 
Average High: Around 45°F (7°C) 
Average Low: Around 29°F (-1°C) 
Description: The weather feels very cold and breezy, requiring warm clothing.

Compass Mountain Outfitters

Got questions? We've got answers.