BC Guide Outfitters experience

[LizardKing]

Being a guide myself i understand how much goes into an operation like BC Outfitters. They have created something pretty special in the middle of the bush. I recently went in a spring bear hunt after meeting Mark at SCI and from start to finish I was impressed. He was very helpful getting into the country as well as heloing me decide where to stop on my drive. All his info was spot on and the paperwork he provided for customs made it a simple process. I met Mark and we headed to camp. The bears were just coming out of hibernation and it was an awesome time to hunt. The other hunter in camp shot his bear the first afternoon! It was a great start. A little rain for a day or two didn't bother too much because as soon as the sun came out so did the bears. I shot mine on the 3rd day and couldn't have been more thrilled. The whole time I was there Mark had guys working on the camp improving it. They cut trees they fixed roads worked on electrical and started a improved water system. I went in with no expectations except to enjoy being in the bush. I saw just about every type of animal by the masses. Over 20 bears dozen moose, elk all the good stuff. I've never seen more moose droppings lining the road. It was everywhere.
Its unfortunate to not be able to enjoy yourself on something so unique. Maybe this hunt just wasn't for you. But at the end of the day hunting is hunting with a 100 variables for success.
I've hunted thousands of animals in my life and this was one of the greatest trips I've ever had. I went solo with out really knowing anyone and felt like I left with 2x as many friends as I started with while I was there.
Mark did a great job cooking and I got to enjoy the wood stove in the camp on those chilly nights.
Marks son Matt was my guide when I shot mine and I really enjoyed hinting with him. He's got it going on for a man his age and he is on his way to be a fantastic guide or operator. He's got a real future in this business and it's hard to hear someone older discouraging some one with so much potential. Anyways I couldn't help it. I believe you are entitled to your opinion but it does no good downing anyone especially a guide that young.

 

[KHntr]

You are probably wondering where Mark (the owner) was during this. First he showed up pretty late after we got there, then he ended up being the cook for a 2 days; And then at the last minute decided to guide a deer and bear hunt for a very wealthy German hunter (who flew in by helicopter) because he had finished a Yukon moose and caribou hunt early.

As a BC resident, that is pretty suspect as helicopter use by hunters is highly illegal for any reason. No transport, no moving gear, even medical emergency means only you get flown, all your gear and rifle stays where it is and gets brought out by however it was brought in.

We paid Matthew for our Harvest Royalty fees in USD and without the benefit of the conversion rate even though per his FAQ's "its due upon successful harvest of the animal" We are convinced those monies went into the guides gas tanks, because "Mark doesn't reimburse us for our gas until the end of the season".

Harvest royalty fees are paid at the end of the season to the gov't by the outfitter and only paid on animals killed. A moose is $125 CDN, a black bear is $75, and a deer is $50.
You flat out got scammed there.

 

[RedOwl]

My buddy and I recently won a hunt with BCGO through an auction (with a low bid). We are supposed to go in a few weeks but have received no information beyond the initial booking confirmation. Should we be worried?

Thought I would post a review - having just got back from the hunt.
Pros
- The hunting was amazing. My buddy and I both filled our tags. We saw plenty of wildlife : 8 black bears (not counting cubs), one grizzly, two moose, countless elk, and much more.
- The hunting was a good mix of spotting from trucks and hiking into the wind along pipeline right of ways and rutted out roads. Some hunters shot their bears on the road but my buddy and I both had exciting stalks to get into position.
- Our guide was great - very knowledgeable, hard working, and supportive
- Mark is an excellent cook. He did not prepare all the meals but those that he did make were outstanding.
- The camp is a nice setting. It is a row of cabins right on a lake with a nice fire ring.

Cons
- Communication ahead of the hunt was not great. We didn’t get the relevant information until 4 days before the hunt. Some other details (like how to deal with the meat and hide) were not available until we got onsite. Also, adding a packing list and FAQ’s to the web site would make a world of difference.
- The bugs were terrible. While that is certainly not Mark’s fault, he could have done a couple things to lessen their impact: Seal up the cabins properly and warn hunters beyond “bring some bug spray.”

Would I hunt with Mark again? Yes, definitely

 

[Shadowstalker]

Being a guide myself i understand how much goes into an operation like BC Outfitters. They have created something pretty special in the middle of the bush. I recently went in a spring bear hunt after meeting Mark at SCI and from start to finish I was impressed. He was very helpful getting into the country as well as heloing me decide where to stop on my drive. All his info was spot on and the paperwork he provided for customs made it a simple process. I met Mark and we headed to camp. The bears were just coming out of hibernation and it was an awesome time to hunt. The other hunter in camp shot his bear the first afternoon! It was a great start. A little rain for a day or two didn't bother too much because as soon as the sun came out so did the bears. I shot mine on the 3rd day and couldn't have been more thrilled. The whole time I was there Mark had guys working on the camp improving it. They cut trees they fixed roads worked on electrical and started a improved water system. I went in with no expectations except to enjoy being in the bush. I saw just about every type of animal by the masses. Over 20 bears dozen moose, elk all the good stuff. I've never seen more moose droppings lining the road. It was everywhere.
Its unfortunate to not be able to enjoy yourself on something so unique. Maybe this hunt just wasn't for you. But at the end of the day hunting is hunting with a 100 variables for success.
I've hunted thousands of animals in my life and this was one of the greatest trips I've ever had. I went solo with out really knowing anyone and felt like I left with 2x as many friends as I started with while I was there.
Mark did a great job cooking and I got to enjoy the wood stove in the camp on those chilly nights.
Marks son Matt was my guide when I shot mine and I really enjoyed hinting with him. He's got it going on for a man his age and he is on his way to be a fantastic guide or operator. He's got a real future in this business and it's hard to hear someone older discouraging some one with so much potential. Anyways I couldn't help it. I believe you are entitled to your opinion but it does no good downing anyone especially a guide that young.

I understand the "hunting is hunting with a 100 varibles for success"; but when someone tells you that they have 90-95% success rate and the government statistics show it was really 25% at best, that speaks volumes about an outfitters ethics. When they say their guides are all long term experienced professional guides and you find an 19yo and 20yo, you start to wonder. When you get back and start hearing about similar stories, you really start wondering. When they say they will get back to you and go silent for 3 months, that sums up the entire trip was with a low quality and poor guide. I absolutely agree we should have done our homework, and that was the reason for the post before you book with Mark Werner.