Your first guided hunt: what to expect

Before you go: licences, certificates and firearms

The paperwork comes first, and it varies by province and by year. In most places you will need a hunter education certificate or an equivalent, a hunting licence for the species and zone, and the right firearm licence if you hunt with a rifle or shotgun. Bowhunting may require its own certification.

Rules for non-residents are often different, and some species can only be hunted by non-residents with a licensed outfitter or guide. Check the official regulations of the province's wildlife ministry well ahead of time, since courses and permits can take weeks. Your guide can tell you what is usually required and where to find it, but getting it right remains your responsibility.

Booking and preparing

Once you have chosen a guide, confirm the dates, the meeting point, what is included and the deposit in writing. Ask for a packing list, since the guide knows the local conditions and the camp.

Use the weeks before the hunt to practise. Shoot your firearm or bow at the range until you are consistent at the distances your guide expects, using the exact ammunition or arrows you will bring. Walk with your boots on, and if the hunt involves hiking, get in shape. Respecting the animal starts with being able to make a clean, ethical shot.

What the days look like

Every hunt is different, but days often start before sunrise and end after dark, because many animals move most at dawn and dusk. Middle hours may be spent resting at camp, scouting, checking trail cameras or moving to another spot.

The method depends on the species. A black bear hunt often means quiet hours in a stand near a bait site. A moose hunt may involve calling from a lake shore or a blind. Waterfowl hunting means decoys and an early set-up in a marsh, while grouse hunting is often a long walk along forest roads. Expect a lot of waiting and watching. Patience is part of the experience, and an unsuccessful day is still a day well spent outdoors.

The guide's role

Your guide knows the territory, the animal's habits and the local rules. Depending on the trip, they will place you in a good spot, call the animal, judge distance, help you identify a legal animal and decide when to shoot or wait. Listen carefully and ask questions; that is what you are paying for.

After a successful shot, the guide usually helps with tracking, field dressing, recovery and getting the animal back to camp. Ask in advance how the meat is cooled, stored and processed, and who handles the registration of the harvest if your province requires it.

Safety first

Safety rules are not optional, and a good guide will repeat them. Treat every firearm as loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.

Wear blaze orange where it is required or recommended, use a safety harness in tree stands, and tell the guide about any medical condition or allergy before the trip. In remote camps, help can be far away, so follow instructions, especially around boats, cold water and all-terrain vehicles.

What to bring

Your guide's packing list comes first, but most hunts call for the same basics. Dress in layers, because a morning can start below freezing and warm up quickly.

• Licences, certificates and identification, in a waterproof bag
• Your firearm or bow, ammunition or arrows, and a locking case
• Blaze orange garments if required
• Quiet, layered clothing, rain gear, a warm hat and gloves
• Broken-in waterproof boots and extra socks
• Binoculars, a headlamp, a knife and a small first aid kit
• Insect repellent, especially for spring bear hunts
• Coolers or bags for the meat, if the guide does not supply them

Tipping and after the hunt

In Canada, tipping a guide is customary when you are happy with the service. The amount varies with the length of the trip, the effort and the outcome; ask the outfitter what is usual if you are unsure, and remember the camp cook and other staff.

When you get home, share some meat with friends, send your guide a note, and think about what you learned. If you are still looking for that first hunt, GuideHunter shows hunting guides on a map, by species, with how far each one is from you.