NDR - Newfoundland Moose

Pete McMiller

Pete McMiller

Well-known member
Anyone on the forum from Newfoundland or have experience there? I am considering a moose hunt with Portland Creek Outfitters out of Portland Creek in the northwest penninsula. I am interested in any info., impressions, etc.

Thanks,
 
Anyone on the forum from Newfoundland or have experience there? I am considering a moose hunt with Portland Creek Outfitters out of Portland Creek in the northwest penninsula. I am interested in any info., impressions, etc.

Thanks,
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Archery?
 
Tod & Boz,

Moose have been on my bucket list since high school. My Dad, Brother and myself were going to go back in the 60's - one thing led to another and then my Dad passed on and it never happened. It's time I started checking things off that list. I know archery is tougher but being up close and personal with your target is without parallel.
 
Pete,

Back in '95 or '96 I did an archery caribou hunt in Newfoundland. I have the outfitters name at home and can send you the info this evening. Not sure it will apply to your needs. I really enjoyed the area. You going alone or have you put a group together?
 
Dave,

So far it looks like I'm going alone. It's a 1x1 guide/hunter so it doesn't matter in camp but it would be nice to be able to travel with someone. Yes, please send me the info. from your hunt.
 
Pete
I watched my dad making several long bows--osage orange, lemon wood, etc. but he passed away shortly after I was discharged, (WWII) so he never got to shoot them. I gave an almost completed one, that I had kept for almost 67 years, to a hunter that planned to finish it. There seems to be a resurgence in the interest of long bows. I'm sure you are aware of the gentleman that makes beautiful long bows that lives close to the Mississippi in Beetown. Anyway, good luck and we'll look forward to the pictures.
wis boz
 
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Jim,
Yep, I do know of that guy but don't recall his name. I believe he sold his business and moved to Arizona a number of years ago. Just heard the past year or two that he had passed. I get my bows from another bowyer from Wisconsin Rapids, John McDonald. John makes some fantastic bows and has been in the business since working for Wiffen Archery in Milwaukee back in the 1950's. John is 82 I believe and still at it.
 
I made two trips to newfoundland in the early 90's and killed a bull moose with my appalachian flatbow on the first trip. long shot 55 yrds , the second year up I brought two other guys with me and the outfitter really screwed us over. put us on an island basically, couldn't walk more than a half mile before hitting water and he didn't have a boat. we did manage one moose and one caribou. tough wet country, lots of moose, even on the bad trip I did see 18 moose in a week, just they were all on the wrong side of the river or lake.

make sure you change your practice routine for a trip like this. I was shooting twice a day before the first trip. morning and evening. 15 30 55 yards and all in between . 10 shots max. each practice . all shots at different distances
started with this full time 4 months before the trip. It really helped when I had a moose looking uphill at me at 55 yards and the pressure was on.
Distance in the open shooting at a large target can be deceiving. bring good raingear , rubber boots that are comfortable, good packframe,
the bow I shot was 66" at 63#, 560 grain arrow with a bear cut to the point broadhead, enough to penetrate and take out both lungs.

sounds like a good adventure. wish the trips were not so expensive now. would like to go again someday. but this time with my winny mag. LOL
 
I hear you Tom. I shoot year round though in the winter I back off to a 48# bow. My hunting set up for elk and therefore moose is 60# hybrid longbow with either a 650 grain or 755 grain arrow and a Grizzly single bevel broadhead. Starting about this time of year (actually yesterday was my first outside day) I shoot everyday and can manage 45 yards in my own yard. I know how deceiving big targets are and try to go to as many 3D shoots in the summer as I can manage - that and shoot in a broadhead only league. Who was your outfitter?
 
Tod & Boz,

Moose have been on my bucket list since high school. My Dad, Brother and myself were going to go back in the 60's - one thing led to another and then my Dad passed on and it never happened. It's time I started checking things off that list. I know archery is tougher but being up close and personal with your target is without parallel.
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For sure, how could they not be on a bucket list!! Good luck! Hopefully I can put a trip together at some point for Mooses.
 
I hear you Tom. I shoot year round though in the winter I back off to a 48# bow. My hunting set up for elk and therefore moose is 60# hybrid longbow with either a 650 grain or 755 grain arrow and a Grizzly single bevel broadhead. Starting about this time of year (actually yesterday was my first outside day) I shoot everyday and can manage 45 yards in my own yard. I know how deceiving big targets are and try to go to as many 3D shoots in the summer as I can manage - that and shoot in a broadhead only league. Who was your outfitter?
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I switched to broadheads only last year and am really happy I did. I enjoy it and like the confidence it gives.

I simply can' timagine shooting up at amoose at close range with a bow. That would be crazy.
 
Pete you have picked the right spot for moose,,,,I think there are 100,000 on the island now,,,thats really up considering they started with 4.
I have hunted Labrador for caribou but like you hunting moose on the island is on the list.
Most times you will not meet nicer people than Newfies be it on the island or anywhere in Canada but like with any guided hunt do your research.
I will see what I can find out from a friend who hunted there a few times,,,good luck on your search,,Chuck
 
the outfitter was Cal's hunting and fishing, I believe we hunted zone 18 both trips south central part of the island.
the owner was supposed to credit me $500 for the second trip because I did not get a shot. this was the deal. he never sent the money so I did not rebook. If he had honored his end of the deal, I would have sent the money right back for a deposit for a trip the next year. and would bet I would still be going back every year since. it left a chip on my shoulder when he didn't send the money. and I think he is out of business now. or should be.

one funny story, the second trip my friend and his guide came around a corner and up stood a cow moose. my friend shot it with his long bow . and the moose proceeded to run down a hill and piled up. the two of them tracked the moose to the spot where it fell and no kidding there it was. they took off their packs, shook hands, the guide lit a cigarette. and as they started to pull out their knives to quarter it. the moose stood up and ran away. true story. talk about a shocker!
 
Thanks for the info Tom. Poor customer service weeds outfitters out in a hurry. If you don't do what you say you're going to, you shouldn't be in business.
 
Newfoundland is known for an abundance of moose, however large trophy moose are relatively rare (but there are some). I have been considering a moose hunt recently and crossed Newfoundland off my list because of this fact.
 
I appreciate that sentiment and if the size of the rack is what drives a person - more power to them. I've been there in the past and I suppose still am at times and with certain animals.

For me, with a longbow, any moose is a trophy. Also, even if I were to shoot a monster, the rack would end up in the same place as my 6x6 elk rack - on top of the freezer in the garage, I have no room in my house for either of them. The meat would end up inside the freezer and I'd bet that I would have a hard time telling the difference between a 60" bull and a 35" bull on the table.
 
I appreciate that sentiment and if the size of the rack is what drives a person - more power to them. I've been there in the past and I suppose still am at times and with certain animals.

For me, with a longbow, any moose is a trophy. Also, even if I were to shoot a monster, the rack would end up in the same place as my 6x6 elk rack - on top of the freezer in the garage, I have no room in my house for either of them. The meat would end up inside the freezer and I'd bet that I would have a hard time telling the difference between a 60" bull and a 35" bull on the table.
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Then Newfoundland is your spot! Personally, I dont need a 60 inch bull, but I would like to harvest a respectable bull over 40 inches.... to each his own and best of luck to you!
 
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