Traveling from the U.S. to do a DIY moose hunt in B.C.

by Jed
(Redmond, Oregon, United States)

I am wanting to do a DIY moose hunt in the Kootenay region of B.C. There will be a total of 4 people going on this trip, and I have read the hunting regulations, but I am still a little confused on where we would be allowed to hunt, since we are non-resident aliens that aren't using a guide.
Also, I didn't find anything that clearly said the moose tags are sold over the counter. I am assuming they are, but I am hoping to get some confirmation. If we have to, we will try to draw tags, but I would prefer over the counter. We haven't hunted in Canada before, so I am trying to figure out all of the information we need to start the hunt.
Our goal for this hunt is to come home with meat, so whether or not we get a trophy moose isn't my top concern.
We are wanting to spend about a week in Canada, and we won't be going until season opens in 2019, so we have about a year to plan ahead.
Any additional help or information would be greatly appreciated!

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Hi Jed, you will be disappointed on several fronts.

1. As a non-resident alien you cannot hunt big game in British Columbia (as a DIY hunt) unless you have an accompany to hunt permit which are applied for around February of the current year. You must be accompanied by the person who applied. That being said, the only way you can get an accompany to hunt permit is to have a direct relative (mother, father, brother or sister) in British Columbia that holds a resident hunting license.


2. You can hire a guide if you don't meet the above requirements.


3. For British Columbia residents, ALL moose tags in the lower 2/3rds of the province (Kootenay region included) are regulated by our draw system (LEH) which are only available to residents of British Columbia, there are no over the counter tags available for moose in these areas.


4. In Northern portions of the province there are over the counter tags available, but again these are for residents of British Columbia.


5. If you do happen to have a relative in BC, the permits for accompany to hunt in BC are only available in the North. They are not available in any areas where the LEH system is regulating moose harvest for BC residents. IE: Accompany permits are only available in some areas of general open season.

There used to be DIY moose hunts in Ontario for non-resident aliens, but I believe those are no longer available either. Maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong.

On another front, I believe as a resident of the USA you can do DIY moose hunts in Alaska.

I hope this info is of some use to you. Sorry to burst your bubble.😐
~ Mark - The Mooseman

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