The first outfitter I reached was Kevin Mattice of South Nahanni Outfitters. Mattice is planning to open new camps next year for river moose in an area that has been only lightly touched the last four seasons. He is bringing in a new boat to run the Nahanni River, and he expects to harvest some big bulls. These hunts start at $7,500 with a trophy fee. Mattice runs his hunts by helicopter and operates a four star base camp. He will also tailor-make a multi-species hunt to suit your needs. Call for hunt prices and availability.
Always high on my list of recommended outfitters is Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters Ltd. headed by Stan Stevens and his wife, Helen. Stan has now got two of his sons working in the business, and Danny, who has been guiding since he was in short pants, is now flying as well. Stevens reports horrendous rain this year. After 27 years in the area he thinks it was probably one of the absolute worst for rain. Let's hope that it is not a trend because rain indeed makes hunting very tough in the Mackenzie Mountains.
Stevens says the rains resulted in many hunters taking the first good ram they saw. Consequently, his clients did not account for as many 40-inchers as usual. However, the weather cleared up for September and some monster moose were taken, including a 72-inch and a 68½-inch bull that scored in the 250s. Stevens is tight for openings on all species for the next year, but 2004 openings are available for sheep at $11,500. There also may be a caribou opening for next year at $4,900.
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