The Importance of Rifle Preparation for a Successful Hunt
One of the first questions I get from clients is whether they should bring their own rifle to Canada. Many hunters prefer to travel with their personal rifle—and I encourage it, provided you plan ahead. If you’re flying through Vancouver, give yourself at least four hours between flights. You’ll need time to clear customs, declare your firearm, and recheck your bags for the regional flight to Terrace. Customs lines can back up, and the last thing you want is your gear stranded when you’re already halfway to your adventure.
For those who prefer not to deal with the hassle—or for the unlucky few whose rifles don’t make it through baggage claim—we have a full selection of rental rifles available at camp. From 6.5 PRC and 7mm PRC to .300 PRC and .375, our lineup is built for the game we pursue. Rifle rentals run $500, and they save you from the paperwork, the worry, and the extra weight while traveling.
That said, my strongest recommendation is simple: hunt with a rifle you know inside and out. Confidence in your rifle is more important than caliber. A hunter with a 6.5 Creedmoor who can shoot it well is far deadlier than a hunter with a .375 who flinches at every shot. Bears, moose, and mountain goats are tough animals, and you don’t get many second chances. On the coast, you may only have 20 yards of open ground between the waterline and the timber. Make a poor shot, and your bear disappears into the woods in seconds.
Every rifle is tested at our range before the hunt begins—yours or ours. We want you to know your rifle is dialed in and that you can trust every pull of the trigger. Our camp rifles are all tack-drivers, and if you choose to use one, we’ll make sure you’re as confident in it as we are.
Preparation makes the difference between frustration and success. Last year, we had a mountain goat hunter who proved exactly that. He came on his very first big game hunt—until then, he’d only hunted birds. But in the 90 days leading up to his trip, he fired 700 rounds through his rifle from every position he could think of. He wanted to push himself mentally, learn what he was capable of, and bring home organic wild meat.
On a miserable, snowy day late in the season, we finally spotted two billies within range. His first few shots went high, and for a moment, I thought the opportunity was slipping away. But then he paused, took two slow breaths, and reset. At nearly 600 yards—the outer limit of what I’d allow—he made a perfect shot. Calm, collected, and ready, he proved to himself that his preparation had paid off.
Contrast that with another hunter we saw last season. He bought a new rifle three days before his trip, slapped a scope on it from Amazon the day before, and never fired a shot before arriving. At camp, we couldn’t even get the rifle to shoot straight. That’s the kind of mistake that can ruin a once-in-a-lifetime hunt.
You’re investing in more than just a hunt—you’re investing in an experience. And we’re invested in making sure it’s a great one. Your success is our success, and your preparation is a big part of that. Spend time at the range. Know your rifle. Be ready when the opportunity of a lifetime steps into your sights.
Out here on the coast, you don’t get do-overs. Come prepared, and let’s make it happen.