NDR - Newfoundland Moose

Pete, I'm originally from NF, I've hunted moose there many times, my last hunt was in 2010. If you're guide is worth his weight, you won't have any problem getting a moose. I'll echo what others have already told you. If you're looking for a 60" plus animal, they are far and few between on the island. Lots of respectable bulls in the 50 plus inch category. The people are great and will go out of their way to make you feel welcomed. I have no doubt you'll have an enjoyable hunt and make some awesome memories. I'm going back this fall if I can pull it together. PM me if you're looking for specific details.
 
Thanks Dean, I'll certainly get in touch if I have questions.

I sent my deposit in on Friday. I guess this must have been in the back of my mind for many years because now that I know I'm actually going it feels like the night before my first deer hunt at 13 years old. That was over 50 years ago. It's going to be a loooong summer.

Hardest part right now is picking the right boots. Every outfitter recommends high rubber boots and I really dislike them so I have to find a pair that is warm and comfortable enough for walking.

I appreciate everyone's interest and suggestions.
 
Pete,

Good to see your plan coming together and I hope you get your moose. Any moose with a bow is a trophy and I bet you could tell the difference between a 36" bull and a 60" bull on the table; the 36" bull will taste better.

I don't believe I will get out this year for moose but maybe a mule deer. I would like to harvest an elk before I hang up the bow. I agree with the guides assessment on tall rubber boots. I hardly ever wear my 7" lace ups when hunting moose as sooner or later I end up over them. I have tried all the different rubber boots out there and have found none last like Nokian.
 
Thanks Paul,

Yep, I'm sure the smaller bull would taste better and that's whats important.

I have never heard of Nokian boots. Just looked them up and I like what I see. I wonder if there is a place to buy them where I can actually try them on.
 
Hardest part right now is picking the right boots. Every outfitter recommends high rubber boots and I really dislike them so I have to find a pair that is warm and comfortable enough for walking.

I am a big fan of Muck Boots

http://www.muckbootcompany.com/men/outdoorsporting/Pages/default.aspx
 
Yep, I've a pair of Muck boots also, the low ankle variety. Quite comfortable but the soles wore off in a year. Not sure I'd buy another pair just because of the durability issue. I have looked at the LaCrosse Burley boots also as they have been a standard for a long time. Problem is that they are made in China now and the quality has suffered - not just the Burley but all their boots.
 
Pete,


Another option you might consider is this. I think you would find these good for walking in, at least for the boots. I'm not sure how much heavy brush busting the wader pants would stand up to. I walk a lot of trout streams but use a chest high model rather than than the waist high. I haven't snagged them yet but I do watch myself and avoid busting thru thick cover. (I usually have the option of walking in the water by going with the chest highs)
 
Dave,

I can appreciate their uses for many activities but I wonder about their feasiblility hunting Newfoundland. They talk about the tuckamore which is a low stunted Balsam Fir bush/tree that grabs at everything as you walk by. I had some experience with what sounds like the same stuff when I went to Quebec two years ago and can't imagine a pair of breathable waders lasting more than a day in that environment.
 
Pete,

The snagging on brush issue would be a concern. I just didn't know how open the terrain was where you will be going. I had a suspicion it might be tougher conditions than the waders would hold up to.
 
Pete, Leave the Muck boots or anything else that has neoprene at home, the tuckamores will destroy them on your first walk. A stout pair of 18" rubber boots is the norm, there'll be times you wish you were wearing hip waders.
 
That's what I have gathered, the tuckamore is pretty nasty stuff. I am surprised that none of the outfitters recommend hip boots but I am going to go with their recommendations on tall rubber boots. I like the looks of the Nokian that Paul recommended but just need more info about them.
 
Nokian boots are hard to find but everyone I know who has owned a pair has regretted buying something else. I have bought others when I couldn't get what I wanted and always wished I had Nokian on my feet. It is time for a new pair again and that is what I am buying. My Rockies lasted two seasons, my Acton boots lasted two seasons and so on. A pair of Nokian boots will last many years and are as comfortable as any rubber boot you will find.
 
Nokian's aren't the boot they use to be. They are a different rubber than the originals. I had a pair of my dad's and wore them for years. I bought a newer pair and only got a year out of them. Brushey's still sells them but they're not the same. My neighbour wore a pair of Muck boots to NFLD and the tucks wore the camo right off them. I swore by Muck boots and still do but not for this I guess.
 
Lacrosse Alphaburly work well up here. Lots of ankle support and good traction. Mine have a outer rubber surface over the neoprene. However, I don't know how they would hold up to the "tuck". Our alders and willows are not that stiff.
 
Pete:

Just to confirm all the discussion above . . . .

I was recently staffing a booth at the Presque Isle, Maine, Fish and Game Show, tying flies with kids. This is right on the New Brunswick border in far northern Maine, so it draws a big crowd of outfitters from all over New England, but also from the Atlantic provinces and Quebec.

Anyway, after several drinks at the great party that the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club hosts for all the exhibitors on Saturday night, talk turned to various moose hunt options. Keep in mind that there were a lot of Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec outfitters in the room. The consensus was that Newfoundland was the place to go for a relatively simple permit (non-lottery) and the best chance at a nice eating-sized animal, with multiple sightings pretty much guaranteed.

I think your chances at a trophy bull would be better here in Maine, and the success rate here is similar, but it's a lottery draw for a permit, and there just aren't many non-resident permits per year. Your chances of being drawn here do increase every year you enter and are not drawn, so if you want to invest some money each year to keep our moose biologist employed and improve your chances, it's a good cause!
 
Thanks Jeff,

Though I haven't yet, I am going to start applying in Maine. I know the odds are against me ever drawing a permit but it would much simpler to hunt there than traveling to NFLD. On the other hand, I'm heading to NFLD because it's the best chance I can come up with to harvest a moose. That plus the fact that I have never been to anyplace in the northeast north of Rhode Island and never to the Canadian Maritimes. I plan on leaving Wisconsin a couple weeks before I need to be in NFLD and explore your fine state as well as all those places I have only read about. I am definately looking forward to some fine Maine seafood. It'd be great to hook up with a few guys from here just to say high and have beer while I'm there.
 
I don't know the season for the Newfie moose hunt, but depending on your schedule, I can probably show you some wild brook trout or some early season teal and woodies as you pass through. I can certainly point you at some good seafood.

I've never been to Newfoundland, but everyone I know who has been just raves about how beautiful it is.
 
That would be fantastic Jeff, I'll be in touch the closer my hunt gets. My hunt dates are Oct 6-13 but I want to be on NFLD several days to a week early just to look around. If I were to guess, I'd say I'd be through Maine the last week of Sept. - I'll get a hold of you.
 
I am heading up with Portland Creek in Septemeber for moose and caribou. Have received good reviews and reports from last year. Should be fun! Last day of my hunt is October 3rd.
 
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