BC resident – late Sept/early Oct off… Moose hunt vs caribou tag? Rut/meat taste question

[Sylus]

Hey guys,

BC resident here. I’ve got the last week of September and the first week of October off work this year, and my brother and I are trying to decide what to do for a hunt.

We’re torn between a GOS moose hunt or trying to pull caribou tags (mountain caribou). The main thing holding us up is whether a mountain caribou bull taken in that window is likely to taste strong because he’s in rut.

I’ve heard everything from “they’re great” to “avoid bulls after September XX” and I don’t have enough firsthand experience with mountain caribou to know what’s real. When I started hunting 10 years back people told me Muleys are rank too, but honestly I chalk most of that up to poor meat handling and delicate tastebuds.

If you were in my shoes with that exact timeframe (late Sept into early Oct), what would your call be between a moose hunt vs rolling the dice on caribou tags? For those who’ve done it, how much does rut affect mountain caribou eating quality around that time, and are there any signs you look for to judge whether a bull is likely to be strong?

Appreciate any input.

 

[Ophert]

Is there any GOS moose in the same area you could pull a caribou tag? I usually double up hunts, I'll hunt sheep and caribou, or if it's in September I'll do moose and caribou and hunt where there are both. I've only eaten caribou with velvet on so I can't comment on if they're good in the rut or not, but caribou is the best tasting game meat I have had. I'm from the NWT though so everything is GOS and I don't really need to plan the hunt as much as I did when I lived in BC there for a bit.

If I was to make a choice with those dates I think I would for the Caribou, mainly cause it's a pretty fun hunt. If you don't get the tags you could always just pivot to a moose hunt

 

[Sylus]

It's mainly logistical issues that makes the combo hunt tough. Caribou is a fly-in only option basically in BC (unless you have horses, which we do not) and the zones I know are a ways off any lake. Getting a moose in those areas would be a major undertaking for two guys to pack out and likely is marginal moose rutting terrain at best.

If it was a moose focused trip we would likely take an inflatable jet up one of BC's many rivers into prime moose country, way below where we'd expect to see a Caribou.

Appreciate the input regardless.

 

[Decker9]

if I was looking at the same hunt with intention of filling the feeezer with good game, I’d be looking at a moose hunt. A river moose hunt I think would be a blast. Would elk be an option in any of the rivers you’re looking at?

We took a big caribou a handful of years ago still in velvet, he was some fantastic eating. Iv heard from many that rutting caribou are the very opposite. Iv heard it so much that I tend to believe the rumour, as Iv never heard if a bad early bull.

On the other hand, it may be best to get on the caribou while you can. Could it be a possible late caribou / sheep / goat hunt in the area you’re looking at? If a guy has the time (and weather) it could make a good combo.

 

[Blockcaver]

Starting about the last week of September caribou big bulls taste bad.....and by definition most 5-point plus back tine legal bulls will taste bad. Buddy did arrow a young legal bull in October and it was good eating...rack like a nice mule deer. Earlier in the season the big bulls are wonderful!

Your dates are prime moose rut and hunting. I'd focus on them.

 

[Sylus]

Thanks for the input all.

@Decker9 - I recognize you from over on HBC. I might need to send you a PM and pick your brain a bit on the moose options. I have a few hunt plans in the decision matrix and need to start honing in on a good option. Filling the freezer is definitely a goal. I am burning two-weeks for a stone sheep hunt in August which even if successful, won't net a lot of meat.

Thank for the info Blockcaver - lines up with what I've heard elsewhere but it's nice to get info from some firsthand experience.

Sylus

 

[medvedyt]

you will not eat a caribou in rut and the timing you are planning is right at the time to avoid it ...

just even dogs will not eat caribou meat taken during the rut ...

and on another note a caribou still in velvet will be best meat to eat ever especially when they still feed and the meat is with the side fat... august is the best time if you can you will thank me for that ...

 

[Buglebrush]

Any of you BC guys ever interested in Hosting an experienced hunter, hit me up. My brother and I have a connection in Alberta, my Mom is from Alberta and we're dual citizens, but we'd love to come hunt BC too.

 

[medvedyt]

Any of you BC guys ever interested in Hosting an experienced hunter, hit me up. My brother and I have a connection in Alberta, my Mom is from Alberta and we're dual citizens, but we'd love to come hunt BC too.

if you not a resident in any provinces or territories you need to be with that connection for the host in bc:

A non-resident alien (a person who is neither a resident nor a non-resident) whose relationship to the applicant is one of the following:

• Parent
• Parent's sibling
• Spouse
• Spouse's sibling

• Spouse's parent
• Sibling
• Sibling's child
• Sibling's spouse

• Child
• Child's spouse
• Grandchild
• Grandparent

• Cousin is not an accepted relationship

Permit to accompany non-resident or non-resident aliens to hunt big game

Information about the permit to accompany program allowing non-residents and non-resident aliens of BC to hunt in BC.

www2.gov.bc.ca

 

[270-300]

Its been my experience the people who go to great lengths to convince me a particular game meat is inedible are the people who have never actually shot one.

 

[realunlucky]

Its been my experience the people who go to great lengths to convince me a particular game meat is inedible are the people who have never actually shot one.

You are so passive aggressive trolling on every post. Consider this your warning.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[270-300]

You are so passive aggressive trolling on every post. Consider this your warning.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Not trolling at all. Every year i hear from non hunters about how terrible certain meats are. Meats I eat every year and enjoy.

Im sorry I hurt your feelings on that one post yesterday. Dont take facts personal.

 

[Sylus]

Any of you BC guys ever interested in Hosting an experienced hunter, hit me up. My brother and I have a connection in Alberta, my Mom is from Alberta and we're dual citizens, but we'd love to come hunt BC too.

As long as you are a Canadian citizen, you can be hunter hosted by a friend. My brother did it this season for a pal of his that moved to Idaho, but had kept his CA citizenship.

 

[medvedyt]

Not trolling at all. Every year i hear from non hunters about how terrible certain meats are. Meats I eat every year and enjoy.

Im sorry I hurt your feelings on that one post yesterday. Dont take facts personal.

Its been my experience the people who go to great lengths to convince me a particular game meat is inedible are the people who have never actually shot one.

do not try to convince you. it was my experience in guiding on caribou barrenground and the woodland ones. we bring back the meat as the laws stated in quebec and in the yukon. no dogs in kuujjuaq will eat the meat in october and we killed/hunted only mature bulls. the same can be said in ross river, eagle plains and dawson city.

i might add that if a few alaskans and canadians are telling you something you might other someone may offer you some of that meat harvested and let you cook in your own home and see or more smell forever in your own home and report it here ...

 

[medvedyt]

As long as you are a Canadian citizen, you can be hunter hosted by a friend. My brother did it this season for a pal of his that moved to Idaho, but had kept his CA citizenship.

depending on the province or territory for just a pal it will not work in the Yukon nor in BC if they are no anymore a resident in canada.