Outfitter recommendations for Newfoundland?

[brother hal]

My Son and I have want to book a guided hunt in Newfoundland for caribou, moose and my Son also wants a black bear. We are not interested in a fancy lodge. We would be comfortable in a tent in the bush if offered. I would appreciate any recommendations from those who have hunted these species in NF. Who was your guide/outfitter, did you have a good hunt, what were the camps like, what time of the year was your hunt, etc? We are planning this hunt for 2006. Thanks.

[James B]

I was there 40 years ago. A letter to their DNR should give you a list of outfitters to start with. The good ones will provide you with clients that you can talk to. Should be a great place to hunt. We hunted moose and Black bear back then. We missed the caribou.

[Champlain Islander]

I hunted Newfoundland 2003 and 2004 and going back again next year. All my hunts were for caribou during late Oct and early Nov. I chose Snowshoe Lake Hunting and Fishing out of Millertown NL. The guides were really outstanding and lots of fun to be with. The camp was comfortable and the food was out of this world. Snowshoe is a small family run business that provides quality hunts. Their rates are a little lower than some of the other outfitters but they offer the best immaginable service. Most of their clientele are repeat business so if you chose them book early. They average about 100% on woodland caribou stags and close to that on moose especially during the rut. We didn't see any bears but we weren't hunting for them. Our guide got a black bear a couple of years ago that was over 500 pounds. Good luck
The outfitters name is Ron Hicks and his email is snowshoe@nf.sympatico.ca

[brother hal]

Champlain Islander - I sent them an email. Thanks for the tip!

Would appreciate learning of other outfitters as well.
Thanks

[Champlain Islander]

Just be careful and do your homework. There are some really good outfitters and some that aren't that good. Snowshoe Lake is a drive in lodge which keeps the cost down. The lodge is approximately 2 hours from a paved road on the only road that goes to Lake Victoria hydro and I doubt that any fly in lodge would be more remote. We usually took a truck for several miles and hunted various hot spots that the guides knew large stags frequented. We talked with another group of hunters going up on the ferry and they were booked with a large multi lodge operation that was a fly in camp. Their hunt was several hundred dollars more than ours and when we saw them on the return trip ferry they were extremely disappointed with their hunt. The guides didn't want to go out in the rain and when they did go the clients felt that they were just chasing the same group of cows and small stags every day. They all got animals but their racks were about half as big as ours. We didn't even see any stags that were as small as the ones they got. On a fly in trip you are generally limited to an area that can be walked to or by atv. Over the past 2 years we have had some hunts right out of the lodge but mostly we traveled to get to the best areas and never saw any other hunters. Our guides all work together and share information to give all the clients the best hunt available. The camp is limited to 6 clients and the guides do all the game retrieval and meat /cape preparation. No matter where you go be prepared for lots of walking in a rainy and windy environment. High rubber boots are a must and camo rain gear will usually be called for. Bring a back pack with warm cloths that you can put on because the weather changes rapidly and the wind really does a number on you. Most of the hunting is spot and stalk and is very exhausting but exciting. Hope this helps.

[brother hal]

CI - Thanks. I sent you an email.

[Champlain Islander]

ORIGINAL: brother hal

CI - Thanks. I sent you an email.

[rgagnon]

brother hal e-mail me at swayback3@netzero.net and I can give you the information about an outfitter with a great reputation or you can check out some of his results at swaybackcamps.com