Preparing For The Hunt
Equipment - Firearms - Directions - Flying - The Border - Camp Policies
EQUIPMENT
The following is a list of the equipment you should consider bringing on your bear hunt.
Absolutely Necessary
Hunting Rifle
2 boxes of premium ammunition
Gun Scabbard or Case for transportation
Shooting accessories such as a bi-pod or shooting sticks
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Clothing suitable for dressing in layers - moderate temperatures
Camouflage outer clothing, quiet in brush
2 pairs of waterproof hunting boots
Warm Hat
Gloves
Binoculars
Hunting knife
Flashlight or headlamp
Optional Equipment
Spare Rifle and ammunition
Rangefinder
Compass or GPS
Radios
Camera
Spotting Scope
Gun cleaning supplies
Raingear
Backpack, day pack, or fanny pack
Coolers for hides
Fishing Gear
Scent
Predator calls
Trail Snacks
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FIREARMS
There are many considerations to make when deciding what firearm to bring on your bear hunt. Here are several thoughts to help you make your decision. If you have a firearm you are comfortable with, you probably ought to stick with it. Black bears are not large animals, though we recommend you bring a minimum .270 calibre rifle, with .308 more desirable. You will want to purchase and practice with premium ammunition. Don't blow your hunt on
cheap ammo. Barnes X, Nosler Partition, or Winchester Fail Safe are a few examples of good bullets. The weight of the bullet will depend on the calibre you are shooting, though 150 grains is a minimum and 160-180 grains is more desirable. Sight your rifle in appropriately to your calibre and bullet weight. We want you to be prepared to shoot 300 yards without hesitation, meaning
you will need to sight your rifle in with a 200 or 250 yard zero and practice shooting 300 yards on the range. We also suggest you bring two rifles in case you should damage your rifle in an accident while hunting. The outfitter's favorite rifle for bear hunting is a .338 Win Mag with 225 grain Barnes Triple Shock bullets, zeroed at 250 yards. However, this rifle is not for everyone, so don't take this recommendation as bear hunting gospel. We can loan a firearm to anyone who does not want
to bring one across the border.
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DIRECTIONS
If you are driving to Crystal Lake Resort we will send you directions with your hunting paperwork package.
You may also click on this link to go to our map.
Location
FLYING
If you are flying, please book your flights carefully to ensure that you arrive and depart on the dates scheduled in your booking confirmation. You may arrive earlier or depart later, but you will need to make hotel reservations until we are able to accommodate you. You will need to fly into Prince George, BC. We will pick you up at the airport at no charge. Please be sure to give us your flight numbers and times. Beginning in 2008, Alaska Air has a direct
flight from Seattle to Prince George. We strongly urge you not to use Air Canada, as they are not known for being overly helpful to hunters. The other airline that flies into Prince George is called West Jet. To use West Jet, you will have to fly into Vancouver BC, then transfer to a West Jet plane after you clear customs. HINT: pack your clothing in a cooler, with an empty duffle bag stuff inside as well. When you fly home, pack your clothes in the duffle bag and
pack your frozen bear hide in the cooler
and check it as baggage.
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THE BORDER
Firearms
You will need a firearms declaration to bring your rifle into Canada. This firearm should be locked and secure when you cross the border. We will send you the declaration with your paperwork about a month before your hunt starts. Fill out the necessary information on the declaration but DO NOT SIGN it until you are in front of a Border Guard. This firearms declaration may have 3 firearms listed, and will cost you $25 CDN at the border. If you
wish to see this form you may download this form (CAFC 909) at :
www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/online-en_ligne/form-assistance/indiv_forms/909_e.asp.
Documentation
You will need a passport if flying into Canada or if driving you will need atleast a Government issued photo ID and Birth Certificate. The following is taken directly from the US Customs and Border Protection website :
by Land
Beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years and older who enter the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license as proof of identity, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, or a passport.
Children age 18 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship. Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States.
by Plane
If you are traveling by plane to Mexico or Canada, please keep in mind that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted form of documentation
to enter or depart the United States. Note: Children age 18 and under will need to present a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or a passport to enter the U.S.
What will keep you out?
If you have a felony you may be denied entry into Canada. In Canada, drunk driving is considered a felony and may prevent you from entering the country. If you have any questions regarding this, we recommend you contact Lucy Perillo at their website :
www.bordercrossing.ca/border/index.html
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CAMP POLICIES
Crystal Lake Resort has, through experience, developed the
following guideline to prevent misunderstanding and conflict. These are the policies we ask you
to abide by in good faith, understanding that if a problem arises we will
consider exceptions on an individual basis.
- All persons are required to abide by Hunting and Fishing Regulations including (but not limited to):
- A loaded gun is defined in BC as shells in the magazine. We strictly enforce no loaded weapons in vehicles, or ATV’s.
- Hunters are required by law to be ‘accompanied’ by a guide at all times. (This means within sight and sound)
- You may not kill game on another persons tag.
- No person shall be allowed to hunt a species for which he does not possess a licence.
- No person shall be allowed to fish without a licence.
- Fishing limits are 5 per day and 10 possession.
- Any person wilfully breaking hunting or fishing regulations will be expelled from the Resort without refund or compensation.
- Arrival and departure days are not hunting days.
- Hunters who wound game must cancel their tag or pay a $1000 US harvest fee to continue hunting.
- Hunters are solely responsible for meat and cape care once the animal is hanging in camp. We will provide assistance to get hides to freezers and meat to a locker as a hunter chooses.
- The Guide Outfitter (in consultation with guides and hunters) has the final say for all camp management including:
- assigning a guide to a hunter,
- determining hunting areas and times,
- use of cabins, facilities, equipment and gear,
- and may change these at his discretion.
- Swearing, smoking, spitting, drinking alcohol and lewd conversation are absolutely not permitted in the Lodge. We respectfully ask that this be confined to your own cabins.
- Absolutely no alcohol permitted prior to hunting. Alcohol is restricted to consumption only after the evening hunt or after you have killed and properly taken care of your game animal.
- All hunts, fishing trips, or other use of facilities must be prepaid.
- No refunds, no exceptions. We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance, you may use the link below as a possible vendor.
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