Pristine ⋅ Exhilirating ⋅ Wild
Equipment Lists
Rifle and ammunition – 1 rifle, 2 boxes of shells, spare rifle (optional), .22 cal for grouse. .270 caliber with 160 grain bullets is a minimum for moose. Premium bullets must be bonded, partitioned, or solid copper bases. Outfitter recommends .338 Win Mag with 225 grain Barnes X bullets sighted 2” high at 100 yards. Remember we have a wounded game policy.
Hunting gear –Shooting sticks, day pack, headlight, binoculars, range finder, knife, parachute cord, pack saw, compass, GPS, matches, small first aid kit, filtered water bottle, trail snacks, camera, extra batteries.
Clothing – 12 pairs of heavy socks, 6 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of long underwear, 4 pairs of pants, 4 heavy shirts, 2 light shirts, heavy coat, light rain gear, warm hat, gloves, 1 pair of leather hunting boots, 1 pair of rubber boots. Orange is NOT required; camouflage or dark colors are preferred. Outfitter recommends wool coat and pants for quietest hunting possible.
Necessities – If you are at our lodge, bedding and towels are provided. If you are at a remote cabin, bring a towel, sleeping bag and pillow – or if you are flying, bring a sleeping bag liner and pillow case. Please bring your own toiletries.
Meat and trophy care – 6 large game bags, coolers or totes, large tarp. Outfitter recommends bringing sheets of Styrofoam to line bed of truck box and place around meat for transportation. You will need tape to join seams.
***If hunting from a remote cabin, all gear excepts rifles MUST fit in 2 large bags, suitable to be strapped to an ATV.***
Rifle and Ammunition – 1 rifle, 2 boxes of shells, spare rifle (optional), .243 caliber with 100 grain bullets is a minimum for black bear. Premium bullets must be bonded, partitioned, or solid copper bases. Outfitter recommends .300 Win Mag with 180 grain Barnes X bullets sighted 2” high at 100 yards. Remember we have a wounded game policy.
Hunting Gear – Shooting sticks, day pack, headlight, binoculars, range finder, knife, parachute cord, pack saw, compass, GPS, matches, small first aid kit, filtered water bottle, trail snacks, predator calls, camera, extra batteries.
Clothing – 6 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of underwear, 4 pairs of pants, 3 heavy shirts, 3 light shirts, light coat, light rain gear, hat, gloves, 1 pair of leather hunting boots. Orange is NOT required; camouflage or dark colors are preferred.
Necessities – Personal toiletries. Bedding and towels are provided.
Trophy care – Coolers or totes. If flying, the outfitter recommends bringing fabric waterproof coolers for taking frozen bear hides home on the plane.
Fishing Tackle – Light tackle suitable for rainbow trout. 4 – 6 lb test line is sufficient, with 3/16 – 1/4 oz lures in bright colors – blue, orange and speckled rainbow trout. We recommend Blue Fox spinners.
Fishing Gear – Fillet knife, stringer, pliers to remove hooks, and a small net. Life jackets are provided.
Fish care -Ziploc bags for whole trout or fillets, small cooler to keep fish fresh.
Clothing – Seasonally appropriate clothing for the duration of your stay. You may wish to bring a raincoat, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and rubber boots.
Rifle and ammunition – Smaller caliber rifles, 2 boxes of shells, spare rifle (optional), Bullets should be specific for small light skinned animals, no fragmenting bullets. Outfitter recommends .223 with 55 grain pointed soft point bullets zeroed at 100 yards. We strongly recommend turret style scopes for long range shooting out to 600 yards.
Hunting gear –Shooting sticks, day pack, headlight, binoculars, range finder, knife, parachute cord, pack saw, compass, GPS, matches, small first aid kit, filtered water bottle, trail snacks, camera, extra batteries.
Clothing – 12 pairs of heavy socks, 6 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of long underwear, 4 pairs of pants, 4 heavy shirts, 2 light shirts, heavy coat, warm hat, gloves, 1 pair of snow hunting boots, Orange is NOT required; camouflage or lighter snow colors are preferred. Outfitter recommends wool coat and pants for quietest hunting possible.
Necessities – Please bring a towel, sleeping bag and pillow – or if you are flying, bring a sleeping bag liner and pillow case. Please bring your own toiletries.
Trophy care – Coolers or totes. If flying, the outfitter recommends bringing fabric waterproof coolers for taking frozen hides home on the plane.
Travel
Canada currently requires all travelers to be fully vaccinated. COVID testing requirements have now been removed, though you may be selected randomly for testing at the border. Mask mandates have been removed in BC, but are still in effect at the border crossing itself, so you will need masks before the border agents will assist you. You must download the ArriveCAN app to complete your entry forms into Canada in advance. Further information can be found here.
Find your way to Vanderhoof B.C. on Highway 16 West. You will pass through 3 traffic lights, one on the hill, one by Tim Hortons, and one by A&W. Continue past these watching for the CO-OP Gas Bar, KFC and Rich’s Saw Sales, as these are just prior to your turn. Turn left onto the Kenny Dam Rd, (also called Nechako Ave while in town). There is a sign over the highway that says “Kenny Dam, Resort Lakes, Stoney Creek”. Follow the Kenney Dam Rd for 47km’s, or 29 miles. On this leg of your journey, pavement will end at Nulki Lake, you will cross the Kluskus Forest Service Road about half way. Turn left at Greer Creek Ranch. A large Crystal Lake Resort sign marks our driveway at Greer Creek Ranch, you can’t miss it. We will meet you here.
Our specific address is 47118 Kenney Dam Road, Vanderhoof BC. It occasionally comes up as Fraser Lake instead of Vanderhoof on some map applications.
We recommend the following hotels if you require accommodation during your travels.
We have also provided approximate drive times so you can plan your arrival time.
In Vanderhoof (1 hour to Crystal Lake) – Siesta Inn, North Country Inn
In Prince George (2 hours to Crystal Lake) – Days Inn, Coast Inn of the North, Sandman
In Quesnel (3.25 hours to Crystal Lake) – Sandman
In Williams Lake (4.5 hours to Crystal Lake) – Coast Fraser Inn, Super 8, Overlander Hotel
In 100 Mile House (5.5 hours to Crystal Lake) – The Ramada
In Cache Creek (6.5 hours to Crystal Lake) – Good Knight Inn
In Hope (8.5 hours to Crystal Lake) – Slumber Lodge
Flights – Book your flights into Prince George BC, airport code YXS. All flights into Prince George are routed through Vancouver BC, airport code YVR. Most airlines fly into Vancouver, only Air Canada and West Jet fly into Prince George.
Arrival – Please book your flights so that you arrive in Prince George around 10am on the date of your scheduled arrival. If this is not possible, please book your arrival flight the day before and book a hotel. We will pick you up from your hotel before checkout time on your scheduled arrival date.
Departure – Please book your flights so that you depart from Prince George after 10am on the date of your scheduled departure. If this is not possible, please book your departure flight the day after and book a hotel for the night of your scheduled departure date. We will drop you off at your hotel on your scheduled departure date. Please note, early departures must be scheduled with us in advance. Please contact us to discuss if you plan to depart early.
If there is a problem, we can be reached at (604) 629-9836 (Greer Creek), or (250) 944-0435 (Dan’s cell) or (250) 944- 0436 (Ellen’s cell).
Passports – You are required to present either a passport or an enhanced driver’s license to enter Canada. If flying, you must have a passport.
Travelling with children or youth under 16 – Children or youth under 16 are required to present a birth certificate and one other form of ID to enter Canada. If flying, children or youth must have a passport. Be sure to have a signed consent form with identification from any parent not traveling with you.
Problems Entering Canada – Canada prohibits the entry of any person with a felony conviction. Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is considered a felony, and may prevent your entry into Canada. If you are concerned about the possibility of being turned back at the border because of something in your past, please contact us. We recommend you speak with Canada Border Crossing Services at www.bordercrossing.ca, (204) 488-6350
Firearms Declaration – Download here.
In order to bring firearms into Canada for the purpose of hunting, you are required to fill out and submit a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration, form CAFC 909. Fill it out as instructed, but do not sign the form. It must be signed in front of a customs officer at the border or it is considered invalid.
You are only permitted to bring non-restricted firearms into Canada. Restricted and prohibited firearms that you may not bring are described on the Firearms Declaration. Each declaration has room for 3 firearms, however, there is an extension to the form which allows up to 4 additional firearms. This extension is not provided with your paperwork; please contact us to request the form.
You are not permitted to put another person’s firearms on your declaration. Each person hunting must have their own Firearms Declaration or a Borrowing Licence (see below) to enter Canada and hunt with a firearm. You are not required to submit a firearms declaration if you are only hunting with archery equipment. Firearms Declarations cost $25 CDN, which must be paid by you at the border.
Borrowing a Firearm – If you do not wish to bring your own firearm, you may borrow one from us for your hunt. You are required to submit an Application for a Non-Resident Temporary Borrowing Licence for Non-Restricted Firearms, form JUS 715. As we are your sponsors, you will need to complete the form and return it to us to submit on your behalf. This form has not been included in your paperwork; please contact us to request the form. Borrowing Licences cost $30 CDN, which you will need to pay us for directly.
Transporting Firearms and Ammunition – The transportation of firearms should be conducted in a safe and secure manner. They should either be in a locked case, or have trigger locks attached. Firearms should not be displayed in a vehicle while being transported. Ammunition should be stored separately from your firearm, and is not required to be locked during transportation. You are not permitted to transport more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition into Canada. All ammunition should match the firearms you are transporting.
Your arrival day is a big day. There is a lot to be done in preparation for your hunt that day; cabins must be cleaned, equipment serviced, food packaged, fuel readied, firearms checked, and licensing paperwork completed. This day is extremely busy for us as we see the previous hunters off and welcome you into camp. We are efficient in seeing you through this process, but our efficiency is completely dependent on your adherence to your listed arrival time.
PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE EARLY. Early arrivals disrupt our logistical organization and has the opposite effect of causing yourself and other hunters to be delayed getting into camp as it slows down our process. Please be considerate of us and other hunters and arrive at the appropriate time listed below:
- Crystal Lake or Greer Creek – 4 pm
- Boomerang Lake or Hat Lake – 3 pm
- Johnson Lake or Rona Lake – 2 pm
- Nulki Hills – 1 pm
The Arrival Process
All hunters are expected to arrive at Greer Creek Ranch at the appropriate time listed above. Please be patient. There are many unpredictable variables which may delay your entry into camp. After you arrive, you will go through the following process:
- Meet the staff – Outfitter, Guides, Cook
- Paperwork – Licenses and tags are given to you at this point.
- Firearms check – All hunters are expected to shoot their firearms at our range to ensure accuracy and confidence in your weapon.
- Loading gear, food, and fuel.
- Transportation to Hunting Camp – Hunters at Crystal Lake will drive their own vehicles directly to their camp as instructed. Hunters at Boomerang Lake will drive their own vehicle to Holler Lake where they will transport the gear, food, and fuel across the lake, then ATV to the cabin. Hunters at Nulki Hills, Rona Lake and Johnson Lake will leave with their guide from Greer Creek Ranch, drive to the drop off point, and ATV in to their cabin.
- Settle in – Once in camp, your guide will explain and describe the facilities and equipment you will be using throughout the hunt. You may go fishing or grouse hunting as you deem fit. Your arrival date is not a hunting date.
- The first supper – Your first meal with us will be dinner. Please be sure to have eaten lunch prior to your arrival.
Departure Date and Time – Your departure date is listed on your invoice. All guides and hunters are expected to return to Greer Creek Ranch by 10am on your departure date to complete the necessary paperwork.
Paperwork – Each hunter must have a Guide Outfitter Declaration complete online before they can leave for home, even if they were unsuccessful. This declaration is required by law. The guide outfitter can complete this paperwork for you at Crystal Lake at any time or at Greer Creek between 10am and 12am on the day of your departure.
Early Departures – Please inform us in advance of your arrival if you know that you must leave early. This allows us to make logistical arrangements for guides who can plan their own return home appropriately. If you plan to leave early or fill your tag and wish to leave early, you will have to drive to Crystal Lake so the outfitter can complete your Guide Outfitter Declaration prior to departure. The outfitter cannot commit in advance to meet hunters to sign paperwork at any other location or on any other date and time except at Greer Creek Ranch between 8 and 10am on your departure date.
Lost and Found – Crystal Lake Resort is not responsible for any items left behind. If you wish us to ship an item back to you, there is a minimum $50 shipping and handling charge.
At the Border – When returning home, in the unlikely event you find problems crossing the border with your game, please call us at Crystal Lake to discuss the situation BEFORE you abandon meat or trophies at the border. We cannot retrieve abandoned game or compensate you for the loss.
Tipping is customary in the hunting industry. We recommend you tip your guide between 5-10% of the hunt price. If at our lodge, you should also tip the cook or other camp help whose services you appreciated.
Tipping should not be determined by weather, moon phase, lack of game, missed or wounded game, or acts of god beyond the guide’s control.
- Tip the guide on things he can control, such as: hunting hard, getting up on time, being prepared to hunt
- hunting skills, judging an animal meets your expectations for harvest
- cleaning, caping, and care of your animal
- accommodating your abilities
- handling of unexpected and uncontrollable factors
- knowledgeable about hunting moose or bear
- equipment ready, food quality, clean facilities
- positive attitude, good company
- your satisfaction with the overall experience.
Game Transport
At the end of your hunt, we will complete an online Guide Outfitter Declaration which is the legal document giving you ownership of the animal(s) harvested. Because it is online, if you are stopped by a Conservation Officer, you will need to provide them with your FWID (Fish & Wildlife ID) and they can retrieve the document to confirm your hunt details.
If you drive and plan to take your antlers, cape, and meat home with you, your online Guide Outfitter Declaration and your moose tag are all that is required. Meat may be either a whole carcass or cut and wrapped. Brains must be removed from skulls. We recommend bringing sheets of Styrofoam to line the bed of your truck box and place around meat with tape to join seams for transportation. Alternatively you can bring a freezer in the back of your truck with an inverter and extension cord connected to your vehicle’s battery system. Some newer trucks even have plugs in the bed of the truck that can be used.
If your hunting partner will be driving your antlers , cape or meat home with them, they will require your FWID, moose tag, details of the kill (a physical copy of the online Guide Outfitter Declaration will suffice) and an Export Permit. Export Pertmits take time to obtain from government and we should be prepared for this possibility in advance. Please advise us early if this is the case.
If you fly and plan to take meat home with you on the plane: Your online Guide Outfitter Declaration and your moose tag are all that are required. Meat must be cut, wrapped, frozen and packaged in a cooler sealed with tape. You will need to have extra tape available to reseal the cooler in the event they inspect the cooler at customs. The cost and permissible amounts of extra baggage are the discretion of the airline you book with. Antlers and capes must be shipped separately.
If you plan to ship your moose meat, Crystal Lake will take care of all shipping arrangements. It requires a BC Export Permit and USFWS Form 3-177 to export your meat at a customs land crossing, and then ship in coolers from the US directly to you using a US courier. As we must make the long drive to the border as well as incur other permits and travel expenses our charge for this service depends on the number of moose we are shipping at the end of the season. You can get an idea of shipping costs from your US courier online by estimating approximately 6 – 8 cooler weighing 50 – 60 lbs each.
If you plan to ship your antlers and cape they will be taken to our local taxidermist who will take care of all arrangements to have your cape salted and antlers crated for shipping, including permits and broker fees.
If you plan to leave moose meat behind, we will distribute it to needy families in local communities.
At the end of your hunt, we will complete an online Guide Outfitter Declaration which is the legal document giving you ownership of the animal(s) harvested. Because it is online, if you are stopped by a Conservation Officer, you will need to provide them with your FWID (Fish & Wildlife ID) and they can retrieve the document to confirm your hunt details.
If you drive or fly and plan to take your bear home with you, your online Guide Outfitter Declaration and your bear tags are all that is required. We recommend waterproof hockey bags to transport bears on planes.
If your hunting partner will be taking your bear home with them, they will require your FWID, details of the hunt (a physical copy of the online Guide Outfitter Declaration will suffice), copies of your bear tags, plus a CITES Permit. CITES Pertmits take time to obtain from government and we should be prepared for this possibility in advance. Please advise us early if this is the case.
If you plan to ship your bear, we will take the bear to our local taxidermist who will take care of all arrangements to have your cape salted and skull cleaned for shipping, including permits and broker fees.
At the end of your hunt, we will complete an online Guide Outfitter Declaration which is the legal document giving you ownership of the animal(s) harvested. Because it is online, if you are stopped by a Conservation Officer, you will need to provide them with your FWID (Fish & Wildlife ID) and they can retrieve the document to confirm your hunt details.
If you drive or fly, you will be required to obtain a CITES permit to take any of these species home with you. CITES Pertmits take time to obtain from government and we should be prepared for this possibility in advance. Please advise us early if this is the case.
If you plan to ship a wolf, wolverine, or lynx, we will take them to our local taxidermist who will take care of all arrangements to have your cape salted and skull cleaned for shipping, including permits and broker fees.
Policies
NO REFUND POLICY is strictly enforced. We will not refund money to you under any circumstances. If you are unable to attend your trip for any reason including acts of God, you forfeit any payments made.
If you must cancel, while we sympathize with your situation, we simply cannot afford to refund money to customers, no matter how good a friend you are or how many times you’ve been with us. Most of our expenses associated with your trip are incurred long before you arrive, and we often don’t have time to resell the trip. The best we can do is work with you to resell the hunt to another interested party if possible. If we are unable to resell the trip, you will not receive a refund.
TRAVEL INSURANCE is the best way possible to protect you from a cancellation. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Should you refuse to purchase travel insurance, you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK.
We hope you understand the reasons for our no refund policy and hope you purchase travel insurance to cover the possibility of cancellation.
Ethical shooting means more than just shot placement. It means having the right firearm, with the right scope, with the right sighting in, with the right bullets, for the right animal for the right shot placement. While you are not expected to strictly abide by our recommendations, you must remember that every firearm setup has its limitations. The firearm setup you choose will determine the number of ethical shots available to you when hunting. There are so many possible combinations of firearm setups that it would be impossible to explain here how each one performs. Suffice it to say that you need to know and research the limits of your firearm setup before you arrive. If you are unsure, call us to discuss your firearm setup.
Minimum Standard for Moose Hunting .270 caliber with 3-9 power scope, sighted in 2”high at 100 yards, shooting 160 grain premium bonded, partitioned, or solid copper base bullets.
Outfitter Recommendation for Moose Hunting .338 Win Mag with 2.5-10 power scope, sighted in 2” high at 100 yards, shooting 220 grain Barnes X bullets.
Minimum Standard for Bear Hunting .243 caliber with 4 power scope, sighted in 2”high at 100 yards, shooting 100 grain premium bonded, partitioned, or solid copper base bullets.
Outfitter Recommendation for Bear Hunting .300 Win Mag with 2.5-10 power scope, sighted in 2” high at 100 yards, shooting 180 grain Barnes X bullets.
Shot Placement Distance, obstacles, your firearm setup, and how the animal is situated (facing, broadside, quartering etc) all effect where you place your crosshairs. The more difficult the circumstances, the more challenging the shot. We believe that a hunter’s first shot must be their best.
There are legitimate situations where a hunter will take a challenging shot because they believe the opportunity to take a certain animal outweighs the risks of wounding. Once an animal is wounded, all shots are ethical. Every hunter has a different skill and comfort level when it comes to shooting. Because of the wide range of hunter abilities and comfort levels we do not call the shots.
You are expected to know your own abilities and comfort level and shoot within it. Your guide will encourage you and help you to make the best shot possible, but they are not in control of the firearm. If you are comfortable taking such a shot then you may shoot. If you are not comfortable, then don’t shoot. Just remember when you pull the trigger, you and you alone are responsible for the results. This is exactly why we have a wounded game policy.
Our Wounded Game Policy is that a hunter who wounds an animal must either stop hunting as though they harvested the animal, or pay to continue hunting. Wounded game fees must be paid to the outfitter or guide before hunting can resume.
Game is considered wounded when a hunter shoots an animal causing bodily harm of any kind. It is determined at the sole discretion of the guide accompanying the hunter based on evidence at the time of the shooting including an animal’s reaction, the sound of bullets hitting an animal, or if they find blood, bone, or hair. All possible efforts will be made to retrieve wounded game.
Wounded moose fee
If the hunter wounds a moose it is $500 to continue hunting and a $500 fee to harvest a second moose.
If the hunter wounds a second moose, the hunter must pay the $500 harvest fee. Hunters are not permitted to wound a third moose.
If while searching for a wounded moose a hunter knowingly shoots a second moose before the search has ended, the hunter must pay $2000 (we consider this extremely risky and unethical).
Wounded bear fee
If the hunter has not harvested a bear, there is only a harvest fee of $1000 for a second bear.
If the hunter has already harvest one bear and wounds the second bear, the fee is $500 to continue hunting and a $500 harvest fee for the third bear.
If the hunter wounds the first bear, and then wounds the second bear, the hunter must pay the $1000 fee for the second bear and then $500 to continue hunting and $500 harvest fee for third bear.
A hunter who does not pay the $500 to continue hunting may not carry a firearm to accompany and backup their hunting partner.
Hunters are solely responsible for wounded game. Hunters that accept responsibility for wounded game are revered and respected by their peers as men and women of honor and held in high esteem by us.
The Law
Guests are expected to keep all hunting and fishing laws and regulations. Hunting or fishing violations will be reported.
- No loaded guns in/on vehicles
- No animal may be harvested unless you have a tag for that species
- You may not carry a firearm if you do not possess a valid tag
- You may not harvest another hunter’s animal for him (no party hunting)
- You must be accompanied by your guide at all times when hunting
- No ATVs in the morning
- Shooting light is 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset. This is a good law! Most jurisdictions only permit 30 minutes, but we can hunt right to dark!
Camp Rules
- No pets
- No alcohol before hunting
- The outfitter, in consultation with hunters and guides, has the final decision in all hunting including assigning guides, determining hunting areas and times, and use of cabins, facilities, equipment and gear.
- No hats at the table in the lodge.
- No smoking or swearing in the lodge.
- Please keep cabins non-smoking.
- No hunting stand belongs to any one hunter
- Non-hunters/tagged-out hunters may accompany other hunters on the understanding equipment is for hunters first.
Safety Concerns:
- Getting in and out of boats
- Riding ATVs
- Chopping firewood
- No lanterns unattended for long periods of time
- Firearms
- Slippery porches
Emergency Contact Info:
Radio/Satellite Communications – We have radios or satellite communication at all our camps and check in daily. Any accident or emergency will be communicated by radio or satellite texter to our main camp at Crystal Lake which has satellite internet phone service.
Your Contact Information – In the event of an emergency in camp, we will contact the number you provided in our Customer Portal.
Our Contact Information – In the event of an emergency at home, please have them contact us and leave messages at one of the following 3 numbers: Crystal Lake Lodge (236) 601-1167 – Greer Creek (604) 629-9836 – Dan’s Cell (250) 944- 0435
Medical Conditions, Medication, and Treatments – It is imperative that you inform us in advance if you have a medical condition, are on medication, or require treatments while you are with us. Failure to disclose this information could jeopardize your health and safety.
We recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover all possibilities during your stay, including hospitalization or emergency evacuation.
Your Safety is Priority – If a customer is injured, all possible efforts will be expended to get them to safety. This may mean that others in camp may not receive the service expected while we deal with an injured customer. Assisting non-injured customers is not a priority in these circumstances, nor will they be compensated for lost time.
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