Non Resident Moose Hunting in BC

by Josh
(Seattle, USA)

Hello. I live in the Seattle area. Is it legal for a US citizen to hunt moose in B.C. without the use of a guide service?

I would love to hunt in Canada (great country, great people, and WAY closer than Alaska), but to save money I would like to do it myself.

Any info would be great.
Thanks!

Hi Josh,
Thanks for asking. Unfortunately, non-residents of Canada cannot hunt moose or any other big game species without a licensed guide.

Quoted from the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulation Synopsis

"Non-residents of British Columbia hunting big game must be accompanied by either a licensed BC guide or a resident who holds a Permit to Accompany."

"A non-resident who is not a resident of Canada and is not a Canadian citizen, may also be eligible under the Permit to Accompany providing they qualify under one of the required relationship categories."

Read more from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

All the best,
"The Moose Man"



Comments for Non Resident Moose Hunting in BC

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Confused on Regs
by: Anonymous

I've always been a bit confused on these regs Mark.
Does it mean we (you or I can) can get a "Accompany to Hunt Permit" ...ONLY, if the non-resident is a
Father; Mother; Spouse;Brother; Sister; Father-in-law; Son; Daughter; Mother-in-law; Uncle; Aunt; Son-in-law; Nephew; Niece; Daughter-in-law; Grandson; Granddaughter; Brother-in-law; Grandfather; Grandmother; or Sister-in-law.

OR,
Does it mean you or I can get a "Accompany to Hunt Permit" to take a friend from the USA hunting who is not related in any way?
Accompany to Hunt Permits in BC
by: Mark - Site Owner

As I understand it "Accompany to Hunt Permits" are available to residents of BC for the following situations:

1)Residents of Canada (non-resident of BC)

2)A non resident alien (a person who is neither a resident nor a non resident) whose relationship to the applicant falls within the following categories:

Father; Mother; Spouse;
Brother; Sister; Father-in-law;
Son; Daughter; Mother-in-law;
Uncle; Aunt; Son-in-law;
Nephew; Niece; Daughter-in-law;
Grandson; Granddaughter; Brother-in-law;
Grandfather; Grandmother; Sister-in-law.

To answer your question about bringing a friend from the USA... no you cannot get a Accompany to Hunt Permit for him/her; if you are a licensed guide the normal guide, client relationship will apply and the Accompany to Hunt Permit would not be necessary.

Another point to clarify is this. "Accompany to Hunt Permits" are not available in all areas of BC.

As an example, for moose: "Accompany to Hunt Permits" are not available in areas that are covered by LEH permits. "Accompany to Hunt Permits" are only available in certain areas of the province. You need to contact the Wildlife Branch to find out what and where. Allocations are done each year around April, although the Wildlife Branch can supply you with the stats for previous years.

Each year allocations are determined based upon the wildlife biologists reports as to sustained harvests. Therefore the numbers can change from year to year.

I made an inquiry in early 2011 for an acquaintance from Sask. and the choices that were available (2011) were almost entirely from hard to get to areas of northern BC, and all from areas that I am unfamiliar.

In order for me to bring this person over from Sask. I would first need to access and learn the new area... I wouldn't want to bring him all the way here to hunt an unfamiliar area.

"Accompany to Hunt Permits" may not be as restrictive for other species, you would have to inquire.

More information is available Accompany to Hunt Permits

You may wish to contact the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau of the Ministry of Environment in Victoria at: (250) 387-2928 or toll free within BC at: 1-(866) 433-7272, as they should be able to assist you. The web site may be visited at: The Permit and Authorization Service Bureau

Unfortunately, the office does not have a direct e-mail address.

All the best,
"The Moose Man"
Mark

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