Moose Hunting

Anyone ever hunted moose in Newfoundland? I've been wanting to do so for a few years now, and am looking for an outfitter. Found a few highly recommended ones that have a couple of openings. What was your experience? Thanks.

I have hunted moose in Alberta, and have been looking at Newfoundland for Woodland Caribou for a couple years, just haven't made it happen yet. The moose don't get huge in Newfoundland, but there are a bunch of them, I would think any well rounded outfit up there will be able to put you on decent moose. Sounds like you have it whittled down, ask them for references (previous hunters) and call those guys.

I'm going in October with txtrophy85 on here. Contact him. I just do what he tells me.

(I'd be glad to give you a report/reference when we get back, if you're thinking about 2021.)

I'm hoping to nail down something in the near future for 2020. Who are you guys hunting with if you don't mind? (PM if you'd rather). I know a couple of highly referenced outfitters I've contacted do have an opening or two for this Fall.

Just sent you a pm

Hunted with Parsons Pond Outfitters a few years ago. Took the wife and we had a blast. Newfies are some of the nicest folks in the world. If the weather is right you will probably kill a bull, but it probably won't be a big bull. We did see a couple of really nice racks when we dropped my bull off to have it wrapped at the butcher. They were mid 50's with tall wide palms so it is possible to get a big one. We took a couple of days after the hunt and rented a car and toured around a bit. This gave the butcher time to wrap and freeze my moose and I brought five 50# boxes home on the plane with me. The bull I took was 35 inches wide with small palms and the meat is the best I've ever had. Full flavor without even the tiniest hint of gameyness and as tender as any quality beef steak.

A little about the camp. We drove to the dead end of a logging road and then we walked down a mountain about a mile to a lake. At the lake we threw our stuff into a couple of boats and went across the lake to the cabins. One cabin was the kitchen and the guides had rooms in the back where they slept. We had our own cabin with bunks and a wood stove. Next door was a cabin with a flush toilet and a shower (it froze up the second day and we couldn't use the shower). It was very comfortable overall and no complaints. The food was simple but very good. We had local stuff like jigs dinner and bang belly, both very good. Fresh made bread, Atlantic cod, and a really good moose roast. I saw moose every day and shot my bull on the third day by calling him in. We packed him down to the lake in five loads and used the boat to get him back to camp. I plan on going back in a couple of years when I retire so I can drive up and spend more time there just looking around before the hunt. Hope you find a good outfitter.

Another question for those who have traveled via Air Canada. I see where they charge $50 to transport your rifle as baggage. I would be leaving out of Dallas, with two stops. Is this $50 fee per leg, or per final destination? Obviously it makes a big difference. Thanks.

We fly AA to Toronto and then west jet to Deer Lake.

If they do charge a high fee you can probably get there via AA and West Jet.

How strict is Newfoundland on background checks? I had a Texas DWI in Dec.1995, which was only a misdemeanor then!

Should have let Bigfoot drive.

Ole Biggie was a bit tipsy too!

The only problem with that is a blurry, out of focus driver is probable cause for a traffic stop.

Canada is very strict from what I understand.

A friend of mine got held up a customs for a prior DWI. They did not let him in country and he lost his money on his bear hunt.

Best to check before hand

Rule #1. Never shoot a moose unless he is standing in the back of your pickup.....
Adios,
Gary

My understanding is they have eased up on the DWI entry thing. I would contact the Canadian Border Patrol and find out.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/pia-efvp/atip-aiprp/contact-eng.html

Ray's Hunting and Fishing Lodge, I went there a few years ago and had great time. It's in a small town called Howley and it's not that difficult of a hunt.

I had a DWI in 2002 and they let me in twice with no problems.

Been there twice. Actually drove both times with a generator and small freezer in the back of the truck to bring back our meat. Both hunts required miles of walking through bogs. It is incredibly tiring. Your Newfy guide (even if he is 60-70 years old) will walk through it like a stroll in the park. If you are not in very good physical condition you need to let them know. Both hunts I went on were rather rugged, that was what I wanted. The first one a bear had managed to break into the cabin and made a mess that you cannot believe. Bit through every can in the cabin including a case of motor oil (yes every can , guess he thought the next one might have something good in it)which made for a very slick floor for the week. Be sure and get as many details on your hunt as possible. Going through customs with guns a little dicey , were told the first time to bring a shotgun in case we killed a moose early , we could maybe shoot grouse. That hung us up a couple of hours because we told them we were hunting moose. They would not accept our explanation on why we had shotguns until the guide service confirmed it. A lot of the outfitters have close to 100% kill rate. Do not be surprised if the really push you to shoot a cow or even a calf. Moose meat is awesome, my wife will barely eat deer, sure won't eat elk, but has no issues eating moose. PM me for my phone number if you want.

Apparently they value the meat pretty highly up there and a lot of guys go just to shoot a meat bull/cow and call it good.

What kind of bulls did you end up getting? Also what part of the island did you hunt ?

I was pretty upfront with our outfitter we wanted trophy bulls

10-4 about getting in the best shape possible. I am attempting to do that even though I had double knee replacements a couple of years ago. I told the outfitter and he said it would be no problem, but I will still arrive in the best shape possible for me. I have also heard that entering US through Toronto on return is a major PITA especially if you have a firearm, and only marginally better if you don't. I'm told to plan on 3 hrs to clear and make the next flight. I will also bring two 50lb boxes of frozen moose meat back with me on the plane instead of shipping 600lbs back home. I'll donate the rest up there.

On my first hunt out of six hunters we shot 3 bulls and 3 cows. We understood going up that that was probably going to be the situation. One bull was really nice I do not recall what the measurements were. The others were not big at all. If you are wanting a trophy make sure that you relay that information. Six grown moose is a lot of meat, you can only eat so much. Made a lot of friends giving it away, it is very good. Second hunt out of eight of us we shot 4 bulls and one bear. I did not get one that trip. It was a higher class hunt than the first one. I never had a shot at a bull and elected not to shoot a cow. Chances you take , I was not disappointed had a great time. Plan to go one more time before I get to old. East of Gander first trip, west of Gander second time. I was in really good physical shape on both trips and cannot stress to you how exhausting walking through bogs are. Hunts were 12 and 25 years ago so I am sure things have changed some.

was it a fly in or a drive in hunt?

Both drive ins. I never saw near as many bush planes in Newfoundland as compared to Alaska. Probably just the areas I've been to.

Canada changed the law in 2018, prior to that, if you had a single DUI and it had been 10 years since the completion of your sentence you could get in. You now have to jump through hoops to get permission, but it is doable, a lot of extra paper work and the assistance of a Canadian lawyer my be necessary.