Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Canada Gear List for BC Moose Hunt

I know I am 8 months out, but this is a big trip for me and I like to plan so I wanted to get your guys feedback on my anticipated gear list. The list below is the general list the outfitter sent me and next to it is the specific I item I plan on taking. There are a few items I am not decided on yet and would love suggestions for those items particularly.

Also, and maybe more importantly, the hunt has changed a bit, at the last second before mailing my deposit, I decided to go with another outfit - Gunson Outfitting, which is on the far Northern BC/Yukon border. This is more of a true "trophy" hunt with better chance at a 50+" moose. It is also a Horseback Hunt that will put me in the remote wilderness for 10 days.

Rifle - Custom Winchester 70 Classic 338 win mag, Zeiss HD5 2-10X42
Ammo - Handloads - 250gr. Nosler Partitions, 40 rounds
Binoculars - 10x42 Leica Geovid HD
Knife - Cabelas Fixed Blade Alaskan Guide, and Havalon for caping
GPS - Garmin 650, not required but I always take into the woods
Camera - Iphone
Day Pack - KUIU 3200"
Water Bottle (Purified) - NOT SURE???
Head Lamps - Cabelas
10 degree sleeping bag - Not SURE???
Sleeping Pad - Cabelas Instict - insulated
Rain Gear - KUIU Teton, Pants/Jacket
Boots - Meindel Denali
Socks - Merino Wool
Clothes - KUIU Teton Full Layering System, merino wool underwear
Gloves - kuiu merino 210

Mosquito Repellent, personal care items, and possibly a lightweight tripod to mount optics on.

All my gear including my rifle has to be 50 pounds or under.

hello,

- are you using an horse for the whole trip?

if so i wont bother at all with that with lightweight rain gear.

- will you bring your knives to help or for a gift.

- take a pair of crock or the kind of sleepers.

- what time are you in?

Phil

I know its a guided hunt, but I am a hunter, not an observer and when something goes down, especially that I shot, I am going be in there helping skin, quarter, boneout, ect. Also, I spent a couple years at a taxidermy shop - I will be caping out the moose if at all possible.

I currently own that KUIU rain gear and used it all last year in elk and deer season and it was awesome.

The hunt is Sept 15-24. I will actually be meeting them up there on the 22nd. and there going to let me ride in early and help setup camp. Sounds crazy, but I love setting up camps and helping with prep before the hunt. Been told this is the prime rut time to hunt.

good to know about your hands. pretty sure the staff will love it ...

prime time for moose hunting dependding on a lot of factors.

if you rain gear worked with horse huntings why not, otherwise i will check with your outfitter what they are using or even the references from previous hunters that you talked before booking.

Take somegold bond powder and handy wipes. Make sure you wear loose fitting pants and long johns for horseback riding. Tight pants will rub you raw. Take a pair of camp shoes and a book to read in case you get weathered in camp. Also take a headlamp for those nights you get back to camp late or if you have to stop on the trail in the dark.

I am sure your guide will be happy to sit back and let you cape your moose out. You will soon find out why. Lol. Good luck

Be sure to take a good camera, you will see some beautiful scenery!

I don't get this about LOL.. I do moose all by myself when I"m lucky so far. Its NOT a big deal. Never bothered me in the least. Though some folks have an aversion to work.

I"m like the poster though, If I ever pay for a guided hunt you can bet I"m still doing as much as I can and as much as they let me.... in fact it will be some of the questions before I'd book...

And I can cape better than most guides can anyway.

A better camera than the iphone.. Its let me down at the worst times.. once while I watched two good bulls fight it out about 40 yards away and it would not video...

I'm betting you will get a 60+ bull! Have fun. Nasty bears in that part of the world. But then, that's the fun! Cheers

Mole Skin is always with me. I have given it to others to use more than me. I think I used it once. Those hot spots on your feet are no fun.

Wish you luck on your hunt.

Has anyone brought up $$$$?
Keep Canada Green, take money.

Like most of us, I need to be smart with my money but I'm not skimping on gear when it comes to this hunt.

Hiaring8;
Good morning to you sir, I trust the first month of 2017 treated you acceptably well.

I'll begin with my standard advice to read through the stickied thread on the top here of "Planning a Hunt in Canada" as there's still a whole lot of pertinent information there.

If you have any specific medical issues that might require additional meds then have a couple talks with your doctor about taking along whatever might be needed to keep you healthy. As well, I've known a few folks who have been able to bring a broad based antibiotic on fly in hunts and in one case it was very good planning that they did so. Just a thought there.

The outfitter might have a "Spot" type device and might rely on radio phone or satellite phone. Either way if you want to be a belt and suspenders sort of person a Spot wouldn't weigh that much and if it makes you feel better then it'll be worth it.

At work, home and local hunts in our neck of the BC mountains I have a minimum of two pairs of gloves with me at all times. Again there's no appreciable weight and when you need them they're mighty nice to have a second dry pair. Same goes for dry socks.

I think we cover this in the hunt planning thread, but if you haven't been on a horse in forever, then now is the time to start riding as much as you can. Only time in the saddle will tell you for sure if your preference is tight or loose fitting clothing.

Personally I wear tight fitting jeans, moose hide short chaps and sorry for oversharing but very tight briefs as well before I get on any horse. We had horses for 17 years and I spent hours on them on the local mountains both hunting and chasing cows for a rancher friend. Lets just say that a two hour flatland trail ride and 6-8 hours slugging it out in tough country aren't remotely similar experiences....

Spare batteries for the camera if you aren't using your phone. If you're using a phone for that, then a way to charge it.

I like a silk bandanna for a multitude of reasons whenever I'm in the mountains unless it's full summer and 100° up top.

A wool or wool blend stalking cap is always in my pack, with spares in the pickup as well, but then I've sported a Telly Savalas hairdo for decades now.

That's about it for now off the top of my hairless dome for now sir. If you think I can be of any help then by all means send me a PM and I'll do my best to answer any questions or point you towards one if I'm able.

Good luck on your year until the hunt and then of course on the hunt itself.

Dwayne

Can anyone recommend a top notch 0 degree bag that wont break the bank. Obviously needs to be a down bag and mummy style. Since we are on horses, I would imagine it doesn't have to be the lightest one out there, but there is still a weight limit. My budget for a bag is hopefully around $250 - maybe a touch more.

Be prepared to do some of the finishing work on your hide. I've done several guided hunts, and have had to take over twice due to poor work by the guide. Most though have done a great job.

If you are driving, take extra gear, even if you think you don't need it. Things may change by the time you get there and you may need it. I've needed things I didn't think I would. Had a mnt goat hunt that the guide forgot his spotting scope. Glad I had mine. Horseback hunt turned into a backpack hunt, etc.

Mostly, have good optics, good boots, and warm clothes.

I would definitely take a spare riflescope, because anything can happen on a horseback hunt, and the most likely part of a rifle to get damaged is the scope. I've had a spare come in handy on several hunts in various places over the years.

Ideally it would already be in the same mounts as your Zeiss, and also sighted-in at home so it could switched out quickly, and not need too many of your 40 rounds to be check-fired. But just a scope will work too, though it means taking the right screwdrivers for the mounts, and more rounds to make sure it can be zeroed correctly. I'd take another box. A fixed 4x isn't considered ideal by most of today's hunters, but will definitely do for moose and doesn't take up much room.

I have gone back and forth on this as my one prior experience with Talley detachables was not great. But even though its a German Zeiss - scopes do fail. I have a well worn, but trusty and repeatable Burris FF2 3-9x (Made in USA model) that I think I am going to take, with an allen wrench, for just in case scenario. This should only add just less than 1 pound to my gear.

I'm curious. What problems did you run into with Talley detachables? They're one of my first choices for such a job.

I had a Model 70 375 that I tried them on. I had 3-9x40 burris that held zero fine on the rifle, so I decided to try out the talleys with a 1-4x leupold and the burris(thought process of a longer range option and more of a dangerous game up close option with two scopes) When I would switch to the 1-4x it grouped fine but would be 6-8" higher point of aim. Tried different ammo it would always be that far high on elevation.

In full disclosure, I didn't play with it two long, sold the 1-4x and just put the burris back on it. I could have done something wrong - don't thinks so, but just wasn't going to put more time and ammo into it trying to figure it out than I already had.

Your list isn't bad, at that time of year things could get cold, I'd look for a box foot/mummy bag in a -20C model. Look for one with a fleece type liner. IF you are too warm, you can always open it up, but if you are too cold well you freeze. You should be able to find one under 5 lbs

It can also be warmer, which can bring out the bugs. Bring along a mosquito heat net and a Thermacell

http://www.thermacell.com/products/mosquito-repellents/mosquito-repeller-accessories

the best bug deterrent I've ever found.

Good advice, extra good from BC30Cal and Mule Deer.

I'd take a DeLorme InReach and a camera rather than a cell phone in the bush. 'Course I already have the InReach. It has worked all over BC for me, direct satellite text messages. No cell phone service in a LOT of BC.

Ask the outfitter but I might take along a packable fishing rod. All work and no play...

Three ways to start a fire, on your person, is an always for me anytime I step off of the road here in BC.

For a bag; MEC in Canada has always sold Duck Down bags at really good prices. I prefer a wide mummy style and this fits the bill.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5047-540/Draco-Wide--9C-Sleeping-Bag

I'd ditch the light weight rain-gear and rock some good old Impertech by Helly Hensen on a horse hunt. It will last a bit longer and will turn the rain.

If your rifle has open sights, I'd sight it in with them and forget about an extra scope. If not I'd bring a 2.5 or 3X fixed with thick cross-hairs or Post as an extra or even a primary scope. Burris steel Z rings are hard to beat.

We bought a down filled bag from MEC for my wife 6 years ago similar to the one in the link but a bit more room in the foot area. The honest truth it is every bit as good as my goose down bag that cost twice as much. I'm a fan of the Burris Zee rings as well.

I'm subscribed to your Canadian trip, definitely on my bucket list of things to do! Since you changed directions on your 338 what rifle and scope are you taking?

I know the Mountain Hardware sleeping bags get good reviews online and from some members on the forum that I would trust. Their prices are pretty close to what you are wanting to spend.

https://www.rei.com/product/894805/mountain-hardwear-lamina-z-blaze-15-sleeping-bag

Aquamira drops are pretty easy to pack and might solve your water purification needs. I usually pack a small pump with Aquarmira as a back up. Some people really like the steripen as another option.

Andy

As far as the rifle goes, I actually think I am going to take my Winchester 70, 270 shooting Barnes Bullets. This rifle I know like the back of my hand. Its bomb proof, feeds and ejects everytime and puts bullets in the same spot as long as I do my part. I have had this rifle for close to 9 years and have harvested many animals with it.

Winchester 70 Stainless Supergrade Action
Timney Trigger
McMillan Edge Classic Stock
25" Shilen #3
Williams Bottom Metal
Talleys, with Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40

My main load has been with 130 grain TTSX bullets, but I may try to develop a load with 150 grain Barnes bullets for this hunt.

Hard to argue with a proven rifle. I'm a huge 70 fan and run a .270 most of the time. With that being said if I were in your shoes I might take my Winchester classic 70 in 300 mag, but I'm sure your plan will work out fine.

I would probably try to keep the speed up on those Barnes and opt for the 130 over the 150. In a Partition I would take the 150 since moose is on the menu. But I've never killed one so my suggestion isn't worth much.

Sounds like the hunt is going to be awesome!

I have several sleeping bags, and the one I choose during the moose season in the interior of Alaska is a military sleeping bag. The one I am referring to has an outer GoreTex bag that keeps the following bags dry (if you sleep on the snow or wet ground). The sleeping bag is comprised of two sleeping bags, a thin one you can use alone if warm at night, and a heavier sleeping bag (black color). If very cold at night, and you don't need to use the GoreTex liner, what you do is to unzip the heavier bag, then place the thin bag inside the heavier bag, then you get inside and zip the thin one, followed by the heavy one. They cost around $125.00 (slightly used).

But I would take it to a reliable dry cleaner's and have them washed professionally before use. Don't wash the GoreTex outer liner. It comes in a compression bag, so it won't be bulky.

The .270 is a good choice, and so the .338WM loaded with 225-grain TTS-X (that's what i use in Alaska).

You will be very sorry taking a 270 Winchester on a trophy moose hunt, especially when you have a 338wm in a great configuration that will handle any critter you encounter with ease.

I'm with John, talley quick detach mounts and a secondary scope is critical on a hunt such as yours. Id also recommend the best lightweight wool socks you can possibly afford, along with a flask of high quality whisky to celebrate you hunt.

The 270 Win is plenty for moose, I would skip the 150 gr TSX and stay with the 130 gr TTSX. If you want to use lead bullets the 150 and 160 gr Partition would be my choice.

A few items I always pack with me are a role of electrical tape. Keep that muzzle covered. Bulged barrels are a real possibility in northern Canada. A Bic lighter in case you have to make a fire. Matches, strikers and Zippos are useless once submerged but not a Bic lighter. Rubber bottomed, leather topped boots for wet snow such as those made by Lacrosse. Your all leather boots will give up in a matter of 2 hours in wet snow. Remember the Battle of the Bulge. It was cold wet feet that crippled or led to the deaths of so many brave men.Make sure you binos and scopes have lens covers that keep the lenses dry. Baby wipes and premium toilet paper are useful items that should not be overlooked.

GPS units are great but a 30 dollar compass does not need batteries. Make sure it has a lanyard and wear it around your neck. The toque you will be wearing should be made of wool with a thinsulate liner. Wind and water will not go through these.

I don't know if this has been brought up, a basic first aid kit.

Great thread. I will be following this closely. I am in the same game, same dates, just 65 miles SE of Laird River.

I have officially decided to take my 375 H&H - Not that it really needed, but why else own one if your not going to use it on a 12-1500 pound animal.

This rifle is topped with a 2-7x33 VX-R with flash dot that should do great against a black moose hide. 250 Grain Barnes TTSX at 2800 fps.

Congrats on your trip to our province. I would take a scabbard to suit your rifle, felt pack boots, chinks or those vinyl rain chaps, loose fitting wool pants and suspenders. Get fit and ride as much as you can...yup ,one or two silk neckerchiefs are indispensable . Where your leather boots everywhere you go prior.Good luck

Now you're talking. I'm flinchy just thinking about it.

One more thing, don't forget to take to bring along a good attitude, when things go sour, you still have your attitude.

The .270 is fine. It is beautiful country up that way. Keep in mind that it can get quite cold up that way by mid-September. Down is OK as long as you can keep it dry. If you like down and want to go that route take a look at Taiga. They are made in Canada and have some really top notch stuff:
https://www.taigaworks.ca/Sleeping-Bags-c7

Those prices are in Canadian $ so don't get sticker shock when you look at the page!

There are lots of great fishing streams in that area too.

Depending on where you hunt Muck Boots may be needed. On my first hunt I took them and never needed them. Last year that was all that I wore. Leather boots wouldn't have survived the first day in the cold/wet environment. Check with your outfitter, they should know if you will need them.

for sure if you can fit in there is room for me (nothing bad mouthing intended here ..) . are you using the l or XL?

what about the room for the feet?

thanks a l lot.

Phil