Big Game Hunting on Vancouver Island

Big Game is a large animal pursued and hunted, especially for sport. However, big game hunting on Vancouver Island, despite being an adventure, is not just entertainment. Most hunters know the hunting of game animals among the most memorable experiences of their lives. They use their big game products for food, clothing, decoration, implements, and even weapons.
Hunting can be done for several purposes, including conservation. For instance, hunters help wildlife managers control the population of different species. Therefore, big game harvesting is an efficient tool to conserve wildlife and habitat if managed and studied properly.
For this purpose, the federal and provincial governments in Canada have regulated hunting and trapping. These regulations use different factors such as hunting methods, bag limits, protected area designation, seasonal restrictions, licensing and registration, and other techniques to control and manage hunting. The laws and policies for this purpose are divided into different regions in BC, and big game hunting on Vancouver Island is no exception.
It is also part of Vancouver Island's Indigenous peoples' tradition to hunt big game animals. Some of these animals are significant in number. Among them are cougars. Of 4000 cougars that live in BC, 600-800 exist on Vancouver Island. Also, over 7,000 black bears are on the island. Having such potential has made Vancouver Island an ideal destination for hunting big game animals.

There are bonuses in your big game hunting trip that you can make to opportunities. While you plan to harvest a specific animal, your hunting trip may combine with other big game or small game animals. If you have the required licence, that would be a chance.
As the open season for all big game animals matters, do your hunt at its legal time. You have possibilities for hunting numbers of them every season, but for black bears, it is double. Hunters can chase black bears in spring and fall.
If you are after trophies, don't skip big game hunting. Your trophy could be fur, head, horns or antlers, and even preserving the entire animal via taxidermy.
Big-game hunting requires safety tips. Always remember them and follow the recommendations of your guide.
For some big game hunting trips, non-hunters are accepted and welcome by paying the price.
According to the hunting and trapping synopsis, all hunters (residents, non-residents and non-resident aliens) must obtain an FWID (BC Fish and Wildlife ID) to access hunting programs and services in BC. Hunters with a Hunter Number were assigned an FWID. Hunters without a Hunter Number are required to produce documentation that proves residency, identity, and hunter safety training (required for purchasing all hunting licences except initiation, youth, restricted non-resident/ alien and special area) to obtain an FWID. Proof of hunter safety training includes:
- A Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) certificate.
- A document issued by another territory or province of Canada.
- A government of an international jurisdiction evidencing successful completion of a hunter safety training course.

The price of hunting big game on Vancouver Island may vary. Several factors influence package prices for big game hunting: duration, hunting methods, licence, tags, services, guide, and tax. But generally, the cost may start at $2,500.
If you are interested in big game customized tours on Vancouver Island at a reasonable price, we at Vanisle Hunters make it easy for you. So, please fill in the following form and wait for our response.

Before heading out to hunt your big game on Vancouver Island, it is necessary to prepare a checklist of what you need.
First of all, having a backpack is required for your equipment. Your clothes may include hiking boots, waterproof pants and jacket, socks, hunting pants, short-sleeve shirt, long-sleeve shirt, gloves, hat, and layer clothing.
As you may spend hours or days in nature, don't forget about camping items and food or snacks. Rifle or archery equipment and heavy grain ammunition are your harvesting necessities. Binoculars, duffle bags, and tracking tools can also be on your hunting list.

1. Big game hunting is a type of hunting ideal for hunting large animals almost over 40 pounds (18 kg) in weight.
2. Big game hunting can generally be done with more powerful guns.
3. A licence for harvesting a specific big game is more expensive than a small one.
4. Many hunters tend to choose their hunt among big game animals to have a trophy.

1. Small game hunting is a type of hunting that includes animals that are small in size. They are generally under 40 pounds (18 kg).
2. Hunting methods for small game animals are guns like 20-gauge shotguns and other smaller firearms.
3. The price of a licence for small game hunting tends to be less expensive than a big game hunting licence.

✓ Hunting regulations are subject to change from time to time. It is the responsibility of a hunter to be informed of the current regulations.
✓ If a non-resident youth wants to hunt big game, he/she must be accompanied by a guide outfitter, assistant guide outfitter or a holder of a permit to accompany. ✓ During its open season, do your big game hunt except for fallow deer, which has "no close season." ✓ Hunting big game like fallow deer has no bag limits for now. ✓ Sometimes, the hunting period is for a specific method like bow only. ✓ Using dogs is permitted in the hunting of all game animals. It is mandatory to keep them on a leash when hunting deer and elk. ✓ Children under 18 should be accompanied by and under the close supervision of a person above 18 who owns the licence, except for fallow deer, which does not need any licence on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. ✓ Big game licence fees on Vancouver Island vary for BC and non-BC residents. No species licence is required for wolves. ✓ Trapping seasons for a big game animal on Vancouver Island include wolves. ✓ You can use recorded or electronic calls to hunt a wolf or cougar. ✓ It is unlawful to hunt, take, wound or kill big game while swimming, except if it has been previously wounded.
✓ It is unlawful to feed dangerous wildlife except when legally engaged in hunting or trapping where baiting is authorized (wolf only).

A hunting licence is a must on Vancouver Island. There are three different types of hunting licences. Whether you are a BC resident or non-resident, you have to follow big game hunting rules as a licence holder. A BC resident hunter must have a Fish & Wildlife ID, age, and several other conditions. Licences are offered at various prices for each type of licence and species. For more information about big game licences on Vancouver Island, visit the Hunting Licence on Vancouver Island.