Checking Results for Kobau Mountain Guides & Outfitters in British Columbia

This past September I reported on Jay Ganzeveld's Kobau Mountain Guides and Outfitters and his new operation in southern British Columbia, which he had leased only weeks before. You will remember, I predicted that this outfit would produce some outstanding Shiras moose and mule deer, partially because the area has a reputation for trophies and because it was hunted only very lightly for over a decade. This update is timely because Ganzeveld has just renewed his lease, even though he confirmed that this season did not go as expected. There were several reasons why. Certainly, this fall was difficult for many Canadian outfitters due to very warm weather early in the season, followed by snow intermixed with rain, producing awful hunting conditions. Ganzeveld produced three bull moose for five hunters, and his four mule deer hunters tagged two bucks. That's only part of the story though, because they only hunted mule deer for a few days  two of the hunters only hunted half a day and another hunted partial days. Although clients saw big mule deer, the two shot were 24-inch class bucks, and were not what was expected. Still, one hunter missed a B&C buck because his scope was damaged in a fall. Ganzeveld is charging the same rates next season  a six-day mule deer or whitetail hunt costs $4,500 (US); add $500 more for a combo bear hunt. Each deer tag costs $125 (CAN). A nonresident alien hunting license required for all hunts costs $180 (CAN). The story on the moose hunts was similar; although they killed respectable 35-inch bulls, one client missed an outstanding 55-inch B&C bull twice at 120 yards. Needless to say, other hunters concentrated on hunting that bull, but didn't get the job done despite some close calls. A moose hunt costs $7,500 (US) for six days, and a moose permit costs $250 (CAN). By the way, Ganzeveld told me that a recent moose study resulted in him getting additional tags, confirming that the herd is increasing and healthy. This country, as with much of southern BC, is brushy. Hunting can be difficult since the........(continued)