Hunting Newfoundland

[houston49]

In early Nov. 2013 I completed a moose hunt with Rays Hunting and Fishing Lodge in Newfoundland. I was assigned an elderly gentleman for my guide. I was a little apprehensive but voiced no objection. Day one of the hunt, my guide made the statement he was not going to "tear myself up getting no moose out of here". I was somewhat dismayed at this statement but thought or hoped this guy knew what he was doing and would eventually put me on a moose. For the next four days we drove the roads all day. I saw several moose at a distance but was told they were to far and we could never get to them. It was apparent he wanted a moose close to the road, which never happen. After four days I informed Ray I wanted a different guide. I was assigned a different guide for the last day of the hunt. I did not get a moose but saw several. At least he made a real effort find to find me a moose.

All in all I was very dissatisfied with Rays Hunting and Fishing Lodge. I do not feel I was given a fair chance to take a moose . We had six hunters in camp and five took moose. I would like input or opinions on my version of the hunt.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Sounds like a road hunt for Moose.

Most folks booking a "guided" hunt would actually like to be in the bush.


How did the other hunters come in to contact with their Moose?

 

[enysse]

I think after one day of "road hunting", I would have been pissed!

 

[sestoppelman]

I remember elk hunting in the thick stuff of Washington state as a kid with my dad. Looking down a loooong hill into some real thick stuff my dad said, "if we get one down in that stuff, we'll have to take our frying pan down there and eat him!"

I think many of us have had a similar experience some place or other.

 

[bluey]

I feel for you ,mate .
I had a similar hunt in b.c but for 10 days travelleling the same roads as lots of local hunters .
what l would of given for another guide . at least your outfitters did some thing about it .
there were three of us in our party .
none of us took any animals , and only one of the guides had any balls about him , and did the hard yards . and infact we all still stay in touch with him .
l had a gelding /steer for my guide and hunted 8 out 10 pretty much by self ,with him sleeping in the car .
when we all look back ,we should of just went home .we laugh about it now

 

[BRICKBURN]

I feel for you ,mate .
I had a similar hunt in b.c but for 10 days travelleling the same roads as lots of local hunters .
what l would of given for another guide . at least your outfitters did some thing about it .
there were three of us in our party .
none of us took any animals , and only one of the guides had any balls about him , and did the hard yards . and infact we all still stay in touch with him .
l had a gelding /steer for my guide and hunted 8 out 10 pretty much by self ,with him sleeping in the car .
when we all look back ,we should of just went home .we laugh about it now

You have a better sense of humour than I do Bluey.
I remember your story and it still burns my ass that it happened to you in my back yard.

It is so sad when someone saves hard earned money and goes on a (once in a lifetime) hunt and is taken advantage of by lazy guides and the outfitters who hire them or are lazy themselves.

Hunting reports are our only method of helping others to avoid the outfitters and guides that operate like this.

 

[enysse]

Yeah, bluey, I'm still steamed about your hunt. You would have been an easy client to please.

 

[bluey]

Yeah, bluey, I'm still steamed about your hunt. You would have been an easy client to please.

thanks guys .
houstons outfitters, atleast got him another guide .
and it sounds like his guide was the rotten grape in the bunch .
how big do the moooses grow in newfoundland Houston ?
and were the rest of your team shooting off the road, or out there amongst it ,walking em up ?

one of our guys ,paul ,is still so dishartend , he only goes on fishing trips over seas now .

 

[enysse]

Newfoundland has a ton of moose, some go over 50 inches. My friend has hunted there, says it's great hunting.

 

[bluey]

Newfoundland has a ton of moose, some go over 50 inches. My friend has hunted there, says it's great hunting.

isn't 50 inches minimum legal width ??

 

[BRICKBURN]

isn't 50 inches minimum legal width ??

Every province has different rules bluey. I short, no. Nfld. need the herds reduced. So, they have either sex tags and some zones you can't shoot cows. So, any bull will do.

There are approx 71 zones in NFLD for Moose and they had a quota of about 34,000 Moose and about 21,000 were taken in 2011.

There are so many Moose that you can hunt in Gros Morne National Park. (Draw) Unheard of.
There is no vehicle access, no cutting trees, no fires.
So, I guess the guide here won't be heading into Gros Morne any time soon.

 

[houston49]

Most spent time walking. The guy that killed a moose the first day said his guide spotted the moose 2 miles away and they put a stalk onit.

 

[houston49]

I saw over 30 moose on this hunt. My guide had no desire to go after any, "all to far". It is my understanding from talking with the other hunters, they spent lots of time humping the boonies, to coin a Vietnam phrase. I am convinced the only reason this guy had a job his wife was the cook and a very good one.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I saw over 30 moose on this hunt. My guide had no desire to go after any, "all to far". It is my understanding from talking with the other hunters, they spent lots of time humping the boonies, to coin a Vietnam phrase. I am convinced the only reason this guy had a job his wife was the cook and a very good one.

Sad really.

It certainly reinforces that you MUST SPEAK UP right away if something is amiss.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Sorry to hear about your hunt. At first glance it appears you got screwed. My 1st question would be, how did the outfitter claim to hunt? and did you ask before booking?

Regardless, if you can see a moose you can get him out, it may not be pleasant but it is done, by backpack, every day by hard working reputable outfitters/guides.

I think after one day of "road hunting", I would have been pissed!

I remember your story and it still burns my ass that it happened to you in my back yard.

Unfortunately there are plenty of outfitters who do this here. One in particular locally that is a real shady SOB. It is so important to do your homework before booking.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I think after one day of "road hunting", I would have been pissed!

isn't 50 inches minimum legal width ??

I believe that is the law in Alaska, different species of moose.

 

[enysse]

I believe that is the law in Alaska, different species of moose.

In BC, in the Northern region at least a moose has to have 3 brow points. Hopefully, I quoted that correct.

Moose regulations vary everywhere. Alaska is 50 inch minimum.

 

[bluey]

Most spent time walking. The guy that killed a moose the first day said his guide spotted the moose 2 miles away and they put a stalk onit.

nice , that's a quick hunt

 

[bluey]

Sad really.

It certainly reinforces that you MUST SPEAK UP right away if something is amiss.

that is something that everyone going on a guided hunt needs to remember .:thumb:
if it doesn't feel right , it aint !!

 

[bluey]

so in Canada there is 71 different hunting zones ,with 71 varying laws on moose hunting ?
as a resident can you guys say ,get tags in a dozen different zones , or does your residency status only cover the area that you live ?