Canadian Moose Inspection Hunt October 2026

Background Information

This was an inspection hunt featuring a potential new destination located in western Canada. The ranch has been in existence for some time, but recent changes in ownership have brought a new direction for the operation. This new ownership seems to have a unique and somewhat untraditional business plan mapped out to create growth and success in both the cattle ranch part of the enterprise as well as the outfitting hunting business. The ranch is part of a large working cattle operation with an extensive surrounding grazing area. The cattle side of the business has its own management and ranch workers. While previously, the ranch was also used as a hunt destination, it was clearly underused and possibly mistakenly promoted heavily as a ‘non-trophy meat hunt’ for moose. The former outfitter continues to operate separately, with what appears to be a good working relationship with the new outfitter manager. The management structure of the business seems to make it unusual (in a good way) as compared to many other similar operations. The hunt manager works directly with the ownership team on all things including adding additional guides, expansion which includes new buildings, expanding the hunt territory, business plan, etc. From my observation, the relationship is pretty solid as what is good for one partner is good for the other with each having some skin in the game.

Location and logistics

The physical location is remote, and options for travel are somewhat challenging because of the location. Flying is an option with regional connections, although careful planning is necessary. Driving from the Midwest or anywhere east of the Canadian Rockies just takes time but one is rewarded by the awesome scenery as you wind your way through the Canadian Rockies, passing beautiful mountain scenery before finally exiting the mountains as you work towards the ranch. It should be noted that driving allows for much better options for hauling gear and a return trip of moose and gear but most importantly….a drive becomes a great part of the overall experience by virtue of the beautiful scenery witnessed through the mountains.

Meet the new outfitter

The outfitter managers are an experienced husband and wife team. Between the two of them, they have an abundance of guide and wrangler experience gained through their time guiding and wrangling in the Yukon and western Canada. While this job/business opportunity is new to them, their guide experience and knowledge of what it takes to accommodate a client is not new. The managers are onsite as needed prior to and during the hunt.

The business part of the operation

What I learned during my time with the outfitter manager is that his objectives and goals are to grow the hunt business. There is a clear commitment to the operation and its future. Along with the ranch, the operation includes a massive exclusive guide territory. During my horseback hunt, we saw about 30% of that guide territory. Connecting the dots during the hunt makes me think that the mutual relationship is built on building success by combining the talents of ownership and the outfitter manager. What I noticed is that the outfitter had good access to vehicles, ranch facilities and equipment. New gear and additions under construction reflect a financial commitment by ownership exclusively targeted towards growing this part of the business. All of the above leads me to believe that the business relationship/two way street is a good combination.

Hunt opportunities

At the time of this report, the business offers two types of hunts. A road hunt/truck hunt which has been previously sold as a ‘meat hunt’. The other hunt is the horseback hunt which I participated in. Mistakenly and at different times, this was also offered as a ‘meat hunt’. It should be noted that this is The outfitter’s first season as the outfitter and while his goal is to grow the business, he is still prioritizing the opportunities and working hard to establish what the next steps are. He is a one person operator at this time and likely will be that way until possibly next season. This season, he hosted myself one on one during the horseback hunt. He specifically did that (one on one) as he is trying to get his feet on the ground.

Vehicle Based Hunt

While the ranch offers the main lodge for housing, meat hunters in the future will be hosted at a different location. The business has remodeled a log building/home about an hour away from the main ranch lodge. This will be the destination and home base for the road hunters. This lodge was in need of furniture and beds at the time of this inspection but was finished nice with new countertops, cook stove and new interior. It overlooks a small meadow and pond and has private access.
The lodging above puts you into the guide territory and in the backyard of moose hunting. You would hunt literally from the lodge.
The road hunt covers a massive amount of area featuring everything from some cut blocks to rolling meadows and valleys. There are some vantage points where you can see long distances all of which appear to be moose country.
The road hunt/meat hunt has the opportunity to grow into much more than a meat hunt. The outfitter’s thoughts on using horses and potentially an outpost cabin could change this into much more than a marketed ‘road hunt’. Note: I did see some sheds and pics of moose that reflect a 40” or more type of opportunity versus a meat hunt.
Hunt lengths and offerings were still being updated at the time of inspection.

Horseback Hunt

This is the hunt that I experienced. Clients would overnight at the main ranch lodge both coming and going. The main lodge is beautiful and features private bedrooms and bathrooms.
Horseback hunts take so much preparation and a long time so first time horseback hunters would need to understand this. In our case, we left the lodge with the truck and horse trailer and with our wrangler, moved to a pasture where they rounded up the 7 horses needed on this trip.
Horses and pack boxes, saddles, hunt gear where then loaded into the trailer. From here we drove one hour to a staging area where we unloaded and started the process of saddling, getting the pack horses loaded up, gear loaded and prepped for the ride into camp.
The horseback hunt passes through restricted-access gates which is interesting. Apart from limited camp setup and removal, access is horseback only. Because of this, the camp had most all groceries, water, generator, etc at camp.
While future hunts will include the use of a wagon to haul gear and hunters (horse drawn) this hunt was by horseback only.
The ride into camp is around 4 hours and not difficult in terms of terrain, just a long time in the saddle!

Horse Camp

The camp itself is on a dead end road and tucked along a long valley. One can literally walk 20 yards from the camp and glass moose country from camp.
Past forest fires swept through portions of the hunt area. Enroute to camp you pass through some of this fire country. Much of the area has black fire burned timber that is starting to show the regrowth and amazingly, holds moose as witnessed by the tracks.
The camp features a horse corral that reaches downhill to the creek that runs through this valley. The camp also houses three individual cabins. One cabin for guide/cook, one cabin for cookhouse and one for client(s). Each cabin has plywood beds, wood stove, lights, generous amount of room (cabins are 24’x20’). Two outhouses and a shower house round out the camp accommodations.
The cookhouse has a gas range, large dining table, wood stove and more than adequate for the clients.

The Hunt

Lights on at 4:30 to 5am, breakfast to follow and then the process of saddling up the horses which happens during breaking light.
Breakfasts were plentiful with eggs, toast, sausage, coffee. Sandwiches were packed for lunch with clients able to load up on extras such as cookies, fruit bars, candy, etc.
5 gallon bottled water was in camp (NOTE! Only 5 gallon jugs so bring your own water bottle or a filter bottle so you have water with you during your hunt day)
Departure from camp with guide and wrangler as you travelled multiple valleys and creekbed areas. Once you leave camp, while you will be surrounded by hills and foothills of burned timber, you are most certainly in moose country and hunting.
We rode for 1 hour plus the first day and reached a vantage point where we tied up the horses and sat for the day. From this location, we would see maybe ½ mile in one direction and further in another. Valleys, low areas, creek areas that all were moose country.
Lunch was from the vantage point as we glassed for moose.
The ride back to camp was timed to arrive at camp at dusk or dark.
Horses were unsaddled, stoves were fired up and supper was next on the agenda. Suppers included spagettie, tacos, beef tips on rice, etc and were generous with multiple helpings if wanted.
Bedtime was 8pm/8:30.

Hunt Notables

At the top of the list is the massive open moose country terrain that is endless. Certainly a marketing/sales feature. Again, we saw only part of the guide area, but what we saw went on and on. Hunts completed after ours in the areas we did not personally inspect have also been very successful.
Having done moose lake hunts, the feature of vantage points that gave you endless areas to glass changed the moose hunt for me. While this too is a rut hunt, the opportunity to see moose because of the visability, makes this a major plus for the hunter.
In two days, we saw no less than 20 sheds a day as we rode here and there. They would be where we were riding or when glassing we would see them in the distance. Of the sheds we saw, 90% or more were high quality 40”+ sheds reflecting that this area has genetics for quality moose.
The physicality of the hunt is minimal as most access is via horse. The riding itself was interesting as it crossed some very swampy, hole ladened, rocky, stream/creek filled areas. The physical part would primarily be from the point of tying up your horse and climbing to a vantage point. Minimal to none.
A short summary and unique opportunity (sales pitch!) is the combination of horseback hunt, massive and massive open moose country blanketed and framed by snow covered mountains in the background and teased along by all the sheds you see riding from here to there.
Typical moose activity should include morning action and evening action which is what I experienced. It should be noted that you could end up far away from camp as I did when I shot my moose at around 6pm which means a ride to camp is in the dark.
The guide expertly skinned and quartered the moose and put in game bags for our next day return to debone and pack out.
A moose down can mean a loss of one hunting day which isn’t a big deal unless you are on a 2 on 1 hunt. Our next day (after shooting the moose) meant leaving at daylight and getting back to camp around 3pm at which point we hung meat to continue to cool.
Weather during my trip featured a bit of rain, snow showers, freezing morning temps and 50* a couple times during the day.

Departure

This too is an all day event as meat, horses, gear, etc have to be packed up and then a 4 hour ride out.
The reverse process of getting to camp takes place and the return to the main ranch lodge puts you there around 5pm.
Clients are able to overnight at the main lodge and depart for home the next morning.

Tidbits

If driving, consider making reservations in the Canadian Rockies as tourism is popular throughout the summer and fall.
Fuel stops are fairly plentiful but good to be aware as some areas could be problematic if you get caught off guard.
Bring a water bottle or filter bottle.
Beds are plywood. Sleep pad is important.
In reach or zoleo to communicate with home.
Quality optics are critical (my wrangler spotted my moose maybe half mile away!)
I ended up leaving my shooting sticks in camp as time to set up and rests seemed plentiful.
Rainfly isn’t a bad idea as you likely will be stationary (glassing) for extended times.
Rangefinder or rangefinder binocs (open country!)
The outfitter has a wound policy
The outfitter currently does not have a weight restriction. I packed similar to a previous northern western Canada horseback/tent camp hunt
He supplied game bags
Head lamps/flash lights needed. Head lamp with red light is good for night horseback riding.
Advil because your horseback riding a lot!

Quick Summary

I personally and previously did a father/daughter trip to northern western Canada and it was epic. Horseback and tent camp hunt. Beautiful country. Excellent guides. Knowing what I know now about this destination I can tell you that it would have been a contender or possibly would have been our destination. The biggest reasons would largely be because of the camp accommodations but primarily the open massive moose country that allows me to hunt moose any time of the day (because of how much I see). We were always in moose country where we could see so much.

Combine that with the scenic drive mountain experience, the horseback hunt, the backdrops of mountains during our hunt, a very personalized hunt (up close and personal with the outfitter) and the total package while similar to northern western Canada is yet different because of the terrain.