Guide to Hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador

Guide to Hunting

TURN YOUR HUNTING TALES INTO LEGENDS

WELCOME TO THE START OF SOMETHING LEGENDARY ONE OF THE LAST GREAT WILDERNESS AREAS in the world, Newfoundland and Labrador is a legendary hunting destination.

Whether you’ve got your sights set on moose, woodland caribou, or black bear, you’ve come to the right place. Here you’ll find pristine, challenging landscape, and an abundance of trophy-sized species.

The province is home to some of the friendliest, most

knowledgeable guides on the planet. And they have what it takes to turn a great hunting experience into the stuff of legends.

So visit NewfoundlandLabrador.com/hunting for a sampling of our finest outfitters and hunting packages. The adventures they offer, including exclusive fly-ins, are some of the best in North America.

ARE YOU READY TO TURN YOUR HUNTING TALES INTO LEGENDS?

THREE FOR EVERY SQUARE MILE. THAT’S NO MYTH. Eastern Canadian Moose IN FACT,, it’s quite the opposite. Because this is where you’ll find the highest moose population density in North America. Not to mention plenty of 1,200-pounders with racks up to 50 inches.

And high success rates that top 85%. All in an unspoiled, natural environment filled with wide open spaces, ample breathing room, and some might say, legendary possibilities.

THE QUEST FOR A BULL MOOSE.

Fred Metzler ~ Contest Winner, The Great Moose Hunt of North America MY TRIP TO NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR STARTED JUST AFTER MY 65TH BIRTHDAY. After 50 years of hunting white tail deer, I wanted a big game hunt someplace with different terrain. Some good fortune put me on my way to Newfoundland and in pursuit of the bull moose. I would finally be able to cross a guided hunt off my bucket list.

Travel to Newfoundland was easier than I had anticipated. People were very friendly and courteous throughout the trip. My guide picked me up and we began our quest for a bull. After travelling into some remote country, my guide spotted two huge bulls off in the distance which we passed on. Sleep was tough that night and I was filled with anticipation for the next day.

We left the lodge in the dark for an area where the guide had seen some impressive bulls. Again, the guide spotted some moose on the hillside. He told me to only move when he did and not to make any noise. We worked our way to 120 yards and he told me to get

ready. The first bull stepped out and he told me to wait.

After several minutes, the bigger bull stepped out and the guide gave a call; the bull stopped and he told me to shoot. Much to my surprise, the moose dropped in his tracks. A life long dream was fulfilled and I was blessed with the trophy of a lifetime, some terrific meat, and a mount that takes up much more room than my wife is happy with.

Many thanks to my fantastic guide, I can’t wait to go back. If you are a hunter, make arrangements to visit Newfoundland and Labrador to experience moose hunting at its finest.

THE SCENERY AND DIVERSE TERRAIN MAKES A TRIP TO NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ONE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.

WITH TROPHIES LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS TO EXAGGERATE? Woodland Caribou YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD THE STORIES. The majestic woodland caribou appearing in the early morning mist like an apparition. Perhaps it was a towering bull with a rack that could reach heaven and beyond. Or a mighty 500-pounder roaming freely across a rugged landscape. But in a legendary hunting destination like Newfoundland and Labrador, the truth is always better than fiction.

A WOODLAND CARIBOU HUNT TO REMEMBER.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR OFFERS THE FINEST and only opportunity for non-residents to bag a trophy-class woodland caribou. Of the five species of caribou, the woodland caribou is the most coveted by hunters.

Hunters will not only see herds of caribou, they will also enjoy a 90 percent success rate (during a firearm hunt).

On my most recent woodland caribou hunt, I hit the jackpot and took a magnificent stag. Hunters will most certainly get to see both small and large herds of caribou on their hunt. However, those who plan on taking a trophy-class woodland caribou stag should plan to be patient and look over as many stags as possible, to increase their odds of taking a stag of a lifetime.

Peter Fiduccia ~ Author and Host of Woods N’ Water Television Show What I have learned over the years about taking a good stag is that it definitely requires stamina and persistence.

While I stood there pondering about my choice to pass on a stag, the guide abruptly interrupted my train of thought as he whispered, “Here comes a terrific bull – he’s the stag we’re after!”

Once again, the small herd was made up of several cows and calves and one stag. After looking at his antlers, I instantly agreed with my outfitter – he was most definitely a trophy-class stag.

As Murphy’s Law would have it, he stopped directly behind a lone, small tree. With my rifle steadied on a tri-pod shooting stick, I slowly and carefully selected an opening in the branches. I

flicked the safety to the firing position, held my breath, and gently pulled the trigger back.

With one clean shot to the neck, the stag instantly hit the ground where he stood only seconds before. We

realized a week of unsurpassed hunting had come to a successful end with a woodland caribou stag I would proudly display in my trophy room.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a land of big game prospects with extraordinarily high success rates. Add to that, it is surely one of the most, if not the most, scenically beautiful areas in North America, and you have a formula for a big game hunt of a lifetime.

As I often mention to big game hunters I talk with about Newfoundland and Labrador, once you hunt there, it becomes an addiction.

LIKE ME, YOU’LL DISCOVER YOU WILL WANT TO HUNT THERE OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MYTH AND A LEGEND? YOU CAN’T MOUNT A MYTH ON A WALL. Black Bear A TROPHY BLACK BEAR is another story.

Which is what you can expect to find in the untouched wilderness on the most easterly edge of North America. Home to some of the biggest black bears on the continent. Where

heavyweights can tip the scales at 650 pounds.

And though it might sound like a fairy tale, with both spring and fall hunts, you’ve got two chances to prove it’s anything but.

BLACK BEAR HUNTING IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

I HAVE HUNTED BIG GAME THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. Recently I took the opportunity to hunt black bear for the first time in Newfoundland and Labrador. Now, I ask myself so many times, why did I wait so long?

During my hunt, it became crystal clear to me that all the stories about the world-famous size of black bear in Newfoundland and Labrador were true.

On my first afternoon’s post, a large sow with three yearlings came in to my stand. The big sow’s belly dragged slightly above the ground, her ears were tiny compared to her head, and her legs seemed too short to carry her weight.

Katherine Fiduccia ~ Author and Professional Wild Game Cook The game laws don’t allow for a sow with yearlings or cubs to be shot, so I watched these black bears for a solid 45 minutes.

Next day, two more large bears came in from different directions. The larger bear walked in closer while the other bear watched from a safe distance.

My excitement heightened when I confirmed there were no cubs.

Now I had to decide which bear was the larger and hope that it offered me a good shot. After several tension-filled minutes, the larger bodied bear turned to offer me a solid broadside view. With one well-placed shot through the front shoulder the bear fell to the ground.

My guide explained to me that I had shot a “melon head.” (A Newfoundland term for a bear that is larger than normal.) The big bruin weighed in at 359 pounds and my host

said that its skull was large enough to probably make Pope and Young. Not bad for my first black bear hunt.

Hunting black bear here should be a “must-do” on any big game hunter’s list. These black bear are genetically predisposed to be some of the largest in North America. Many weigh 400-500 pounds and some have been taken in the 600-plus class.

Here, you can hunt black bear in the spring and fall that coincides with moose and woodland caribou season.

I ASK, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO BOOK YOUR NEXT BLACK BEAR HUNT IN NEWFOU NDLA ND AND LABRADOR?

LEGENDARY ADVENTURE AWAITS Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, offers hunters some of the best and most rewarding outdoor adventures on the continent. This is where you’ll find: • Moose population densities that rival anywhere on the planet.

• Some of the biggest black bears in North America.

• The world’s most southerly woodland caribou herd, and the only place in the world non-residents can hunt them.

• Arctic and snowshoe hare, coyote, and wolf.

• Willow and rock ptarmigan, spruce and ruffed grouse, ducks, geese, and snipe.

All this is close by, and it’s among friends and neighbours.

The outfitters here speak your language, and they’re only too willing to tell you about high success rates and remote lodges located in places so captivating you won’t want to leave. Enjoy your adventure.

Get Outfitted Your outfitter will be your primary contact and source of information for your hunting adventure in Newfoundland and Labrador.

If you have any questions regarding your trip or your hunting experience, feel free to give them a call.

For a listing of outfitters, visit: NewfoundlandLabrador.com/hunting

Things You Need To Know How do I get there? Where do I stay? Find everything you need to help plan your

hunting adventure in Newfoundland and Labrador right here: • Big game and small game hunting information.

• General information about the province.

• Travel information.

Still have a few more questions?

NewfoundlandLabrador.com/hunting, our website, has more trip planning information. You’ll find links to official websites of Provincial and Federal departments where you can obtain the latest detailed information on regulations covering big and small game, customs, passports, and firearms.

Booking a Package Outfitter lodges and camps are located throughout the province in areas close to game populations.

Unlike other big game hunting destinations, in Newfoundland and Labrador, licences are obtained from the outfitters and are sometimes included in the package price. There is no need to wait on a licence draw or lottery. Hunting quotas are set for each zone, and are based on current population information and long-term management objectives.

Combo Packages Many outfitters offer packages that allow you to hunt black bear in Labrador, or even go for a legendary grand slam by adding moose and caribou in Newfoundland. Some outfitters also offer bow hunting packages that include angling.

Season Dates Season dates vary between Labrador and Newfoundland. Dates also vary from year to year by a few days. To find out specific dates for each species, visit: NewfoundlandLabrador.com/hunting

How to Get Here

United Airlines

The island of Newfoundland can be reached by air or superferry, and Labrador by air, sea, road, or rail. The airlines listed fly regularly scheduled or charter flights to and within the province.

united.com 800-864-8331 (Toll-free) Service from Newark, NJ, to St. John’s, NL.

By Air Air Canada aircanada.com 888-247-2262 (Canada/U.S. Toll-free) 0871-220-1111 (London) 69-2711-5111 (Frankfurt) Partners include United Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and all Nippon Airlines.

Air Labrador airlabrador.com 800-563-3042 (Toll-free) 709-896-6730 (Local)

Provincial Airlines provincialairlines.com 800-563-2800 (Atlantic Canada Toll-free) 709-576-1666 (Outside Atlantic Canada)

WestJet westjet.com 888-937-8538 (Toll-free) Porter Airlines flyporter.com 888-619-8622 (Toll-free) 416-619-8622 Service from Canadian and U.S. destinations including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Newark, Boston, and Chicago.

By Rail Tshiuetin Rail tshiuetin.net 866-962-0988 (Toll-free) 418-962-5530 Rail service between Sept-Îles, Québec and Western Labrador. Passengers must make arrangements to be picked up and dropped off at Emeril Siding, 60 kilometres east of Labrador City where Route 500 meets the rail line.

By Sea Marine Atlantic marine-atlantic.ca Marine Atlantic operates year-round superferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Channel-Port aux Basques in southwest Newfoundland.

Crossing time is about five hours in summer, and seven hours in winter.

There is also a summer service between North Sydney and Argentia on

Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula from mid June to late September. Advance reservations are essential in summer, and recommended the rest of the year.

For more information, please contact Marine Atlantic Reservations at: 800-3417981 (toll-free). Information on sailing times is available on the website.

By Road To catch the ferry to Newfoundland, follow the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) through Nova Scotia and Cape Breton to North Sydney. The TCH is Route 104 in Nova Scotia, and becomes Route 105 in Cape Breton.

You can drive to western Labrador along Québec Route 389 from BaieComeau, Québec. Most of this road is paved. It connects with Route 500 (a mainly paved road) that crosses Labrador from Wabush and Labrador City in the west, through Churchill Falls, to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in east-central Labrador on huge Lake Melville.

A new gravel road, an extension of Route 510, connects the Lake Melville area with Cartwright and other communities on Labrador’s southeast coast as far as L’Anse-au-Clair on the LabradorQuébec border. Five kilometres from L’Anse-au-Clair in Blanc Sablon, Québec, is a seasonal ferry to St. Barbe on Newfoundland’s northwest coast. In winter, an ice-strengthened ferry operates between Blanc Sablon and Corner Brook on Newfoundland’s west coast.

Getting Around All the main highways on the island of Newfoundland are paved. There are only a few short gravel sideroads, and these are well maintained.

In Labrador, Route 510 is paved from L’Anse-au-Clair to Red Bay, and is gravel beyond that to Cartwright/Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The majority of Route 500 from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Churchill Falls and Labrador City/ Wabush is paved.

Charter Aircraft Many remote lodges can be reached only by float plane or helicopter. Discuss this with your outfitter, who can either fly you in their own aircraft, or recommend a company.

Space in these small planes and helicopters is limited, so keep your gear to only what’s required. If you plan to ship meat or antlers, ask your outfitter about the best shipping options.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism NewfoundlandLabrador.com/hunting 800-563-6353 (Canada/U.S. Toll-free) 709-729-2830 contactus@NewfoundlandLabrador.com YouTube.com/huntingNL For the latest hunting packages and trip planning information, sign up for our enewsletter at: NewfoundlandLabrador.com/enews

2013 Photo Credits Roth and Ramberg, Mark Raycroft, Jim Shockey, Fred Metzler, Peter Fiduccia, and Katherine Fiduccia.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this guide is complete and accurate at the time of printing.

For the most up-to-date listings and information contact 800-563-6353, NewfoundlandLabrador.com, or visit one of our Visitor Information Centres while in the province.

The information listed in this guide by the provincial government is for the convenience of visitors and does not imply liability for injury, damage, loss, or accidents.

Distance Chart Deer Lake

St. John’s

Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Miles

KM

Flying Time

Miles

KM

Flying Time

Miles

KM

Flying Time

190

306

2:20

207

333

0:45

783

1260

1:41

CANADA Gander, NL Halifax, NS

526

847

1:38

923

1485

1:30

1211

1950

3:46

Montreal, QC

1177

1895

4:32

1574

2533

2:26

1105

1778

5:56

Toronto, ON

1514

2438

4:22

1912

3077

2:58

1448

2330

6:36

Vancouver, BC

4223

6797

8:18

4619

7433

8:23

4157

6689

12:51

Atlanta, GA

2135

3436

6:23

2532

4075

8:58

2319

3732

8:51

Boston, MA

1065

1714

5:37

1461

2352

6:28

1345

2164

7:56

Chicago, IL

2028

3263

6:07

2423

3900

7:20

1961

3155

8:36

Cleveland, OH

1698

2732

5:18

2093

3369

7:52

1690

2720

8:06

Dallas, TX

2821

4540

9:35

3216

5175

9:29

2866

4612

10:01

Denver, CO

3015

4852

8:36

3411

5489

9:22

2948

4744

21:27

Detroit, MI

1738

2797

5:51

2134

3434

6:48

1671

2689

7:18

Los Angeles, CA

4025

6479

8:43

4422

7116

9:52

3959

6372

13:50

Minneapolis, MN

2438

3924

6:13

2830

4555

8:42

2367

3810

9:31

Miami, FL

2548

4101

8:38

2944

4738

8:23

2729

4391

10:06

Newark, NJ

1284

2066

5:49

1679

2702

5:57

1462

2352

8:31

Raleigh, NC

1759

2831

7:27

2156

3469

7:49

1940

3122

11:01

UNITED STATES

Note: Actual flying times may vary depending on connecting flights and routings.

Provincial Airport

Labrador

Major City Happy ValleyGoose Bay

Canada

Blanc Sablon St.Barbe

Labrador Cit Cityy/ y/Wabush

Town/City

St. Anthony

Newfoundland

Ferry Route

Gander Deer Lake Stephenville

St. John’s

Air Route

Argentia

Channel-Port aux Basques North Sydney

Halifax Montreal

Canada

USA Toronto

Boston New w YYork Newark

USA

NewfoundlandLabrador.com/hunting