EXPERIENCE NEWFOUNDLAND'S PRISTINE WILDERNESS

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With an overall high rate of animal sightings, an excellent level of hunter success, including a good number of high quality trophies and lodges filled with appreciative and dedicated hunting enthusiasts, 2007 will certainly be remembered as one of the best hunting seasons ever at Grey River Lodge. Throw in a large number of very comfortable sunny days (although there were some periods that temperatures were a little too warm) and it was simply a win, win situation for all hunters at our wilderness lodges.

While there were some variations between our lodges, moose sightings were generally at least as good as our best ever year of 2006. Of our 17 moose hunters this year, 14 made a kill, of which all but 2 were bulls and all 17 made at least 1 big game kill during their hunt. While in a number of cases, the very best specimens were not harvested, our guides did provide their hunters with sightings of a good number of excellent quality trophy moose racks. The up side of that situation is the very high likelihood that most of these big trophy moose will be around for our next years’ hunters. With that said, we are very optimistic for future moose populations in our hunting areas.

Our 2 primary caribou hunting lodges continued to provide extremely high success rates for good quality trophy animals. As it was for moose, the best quality caribou trophies available were not always taken. Sometimes it was a case of an archery hunter not being able to close the deal on a particularly good stag, or sometimes lack of patience on the part of rifle hunters who were a little too quick in pulling the trigger. Overall, 27 of our 30 woodland caribou tags were filled. 2 of the hunters who missed were also hunting moose during the same week and spent only a portion of their hunt seeking caribou. The other missed caribou was an archery hunter who hunted during one very warm week, when caribou moved very little and were difficult to spot, allowing him only about one mature stag sighting per day. While sightings of caribou at all our lodges were down from 2006, our 2 main caribou hunting areas at Rocky Ridge and Caribou Lodge provided some very good weeks of sightings, including a number of days spotting between 60 and 80 caribou.

This year, black bear sightings were good at only Caribou Lodge, which has been our most active area for bears in all recent years. Availability of wild berries, especially blueberries, was no doubt a big part of the reason for this situation, as some areas had very poor berry crops this year . At Caribou Lodge, one caribou hunter reported 15 bear sightings for a single week, including days of seeing 4 or 5 bears. Despite the many sightings at Caribou Lodge, only one bear was taken, which maintains a very optimistic outlook for 2008.

Ptarmigan sightings were down somewhat from 2006, but there were decent numbers of birds seen at times, despite a very limited amount of time spent actually bird hunting. The outlook for 2008 is questionable, with numbers possibly going up or down.

Weather did vary slightly from lodge to lodge, but overall our hunters experienced a great deal of sun, with warmer than normal temperatures, including the 3^rd week of September being very hot indeed. Many of our hunters did not require rain gear for their entire hunt, and one hunter reported that for his 2 week hunt at Salmon Brook Lodge, he did not need his rain gear at all.

To view a few additional photos from this past fall, please click on 2007 Hunt Photos

There has been a steady chorus of heart felt thank you's and promises to come back for another hunt from most of our lodge guests. One statement that has been repeated over and over is that the hunt was exactly as had been promised.

Here is just a sampling of comments we have received from our 2007 hunting guests:

 - The week we spent at Caribou lodge meant a lot to us and was an extra special time indeed. It was really felt on lift off and fly back to Peter Strides. Hunting with you was more than hunting with an outfitter/guide - the friendship and stories that were shared during the week has made a lifetime of memories and a strong desire to return.

- I had a tremendously enjoyable week. It was all you said it would be.

- Thanks for everything it was a special time while we were there with you folks. I am trying to decide what week would be the best for us to come back.

- I think you have an outstanding operation.

- Let me assure you that your staff could not have been more helpful and professional. Your cab driver Gary was also exceptionally helpful. My whole experience was completely satisfactory, from the pick up at the airport to the Watkins B & B, the helicopter ride in and out, as well as the superb meals by Nanomi to the well guided hunt by Wallace. I WOULD READILY RECOMMEND YOUR staff, facilities and hunt to any one ( assuming they are in good health and in good physical condition).

- Thanks again for your outstanding operation, would highly recommend it!

- Tony, I had an enjoyable hunt and experience! The Lodge was great and the food good. It was a pleasure spending time with Bob. I would recommend your hunt!

- As our hunt has concluded and we all had a great time. Food was excellent, the guides were very sociable, and worked hard for us. I will attach some of my pictures. As for references please feel free to use my name.

Right now there are currently some significant happenings in the area of our hunting operations. Firstly, the woodland caribou populations have been declining over the past 4 or 5 years, and there is a real possibility that the hunt may be closed within the next year or so. Even though, and as you can see from this report, we have been having continued excellent caribou hunting success, even for archery hunters, at our main caribou hunting lodges. If you are considering a woodland caribou hunt in the future you would be well advised to plan it ASAP.

Also occurring over the past several years, but very seriously over the past few months, is the major decline in the US to Canadian currency exchange rate. Three years ago we could get $1.50 or more for each US dollar, but as of this date, we can only get about 92 cents. As a result, and in order for us to remain a financially viable business, it is essential that our rates must increase dramatically. If you have received rates from me in the recent past, or are considering making a hunt reservation, please get in touch with me so I can provide you with our current hunt prices.

At present, we still have limited openings at all our lodges for 2008 hunts, but expect to be fully booked far in advance of that hunting season. Also, due to the immediate necessity for us to reduce our business expenses and because we expect to have all our 2008 hunts sold in the near future, we will not be traveling to the USA this coming winter for trade show exhibits.

Please feel free to get in touch at any time for additional information about our hunting services. I look forward to your next contact and the opportunity to help organize I high quality wilderness for you at one of our lodges soon.

To view a summary of previous hunting years, please click on  Hunt News 2006,  Hunt News 2005, Hunt summary 2004,  Hunt summary 2003  or  Huntnews2002  including a large number of photos of the trophies from past hunts.