EXPERIENCE NEWFOUNDLAND'S PRISTINE WILDERNESS

The 2003 hunting season at our lodges was a real sizzler in more ways than one. With a full compliment of guests lined up for all lodges, predictions of plenty of animal activity and all our staff back for another season, there were expectations of another normally great fall of hunting. While it did prove to be a fantastic season, normal it was not.

Please check in at 2003 Hunt Trophies to see a few photos from our latest hunting season.

Although overall, seasonal animal sightings and antler quality were close to normal, success rates were down slightly from previous years. This was primarily due to the abnormally hot weather experienced for 2 weeks of the season. Hunters filled 8 of 12 moose permits, including one great trophy at Salmon Brook Lodge in the high 40 inch spread range. Some missed opportunities could have kept our kill rate at, or above normal levels, but I guess that is hunting. Sightings of larger type bull moose were definitely increased

Woodland caribou sightings showed an increase at all lodges, with overall antler quality slightly better than even our great 2002 fall season . Of our 40 caribou hunters, only 3 did not make a kill. The only blemish on our woodland caribou hunting would have been at Caribou Lodge during the first and hottest week of the heat wave. The animals moved very little in the heat and a full moon during the week, as well as predominantly very light winds further complicated the situation. A good number of caribou, including plenty of mature stags were discovered in a river valley to the west of the lodge, but they were very difficult to stalk in that area without using a boat of some sort. A canoe since located in that area will greatly assist our hunters with any such situation in future years. This placement has opened some extensive and very beautiful additional terrain for hunters at Caribou Lodge.

Our trend towards increased archery hunting continued with all lodges having excellent bowhunting action and producing great trophy animals. 17 bowhunters made 12 kills, with an additional 3 having excellent opportunities, before deciding to switch to rifle to make their kill. A planned archery hunting video shoot went extremely well, exceeding all expectations with the quantity and quality of footage acquired. Video capture of 2 archery kills, an unbelievable fight between to large stags, many close ups of other caribou action, as well as bonus footage of a nice black bear should be more than enough to help ensure a great promotional video, an article in Bowhunter magazine and a feature TV show on one of the US outdoor networks. Recent articles in Bowhunter (Aug/Sept, 2003) & Bowhunting World (Extreme edition, 2003) magazines have greatly benefitted parties considering a hunt with us in the near future.

Surprisingly, and unlike in 2002, Rocky Ridge did not show any black bear activity. Caribou Lodge, on the other hand provided regular bear sightings each week, although none were taken, leaving excellent expectations for 2004. As expected, Salmon Brook Lodge did have bear activity and while there was kill opportunity, no tags were filled.. Even though there was some wingshooting action for ptarmigan at Rocky Ridge, bird population remained below average, with belief that the numbers will rebound very soon. Salmon Brook and Caribou lodges both showed some ptarmigan, but not in large numbers. No hunting activity this fall should help preserve the brood stock for quick recovery.

Here is a very brief overview of the hunting at each of our lodges for 2003.

Salmon Brook: More and larger caribou than normal, some larger than usual moose racks and slightly fewer bear sightings.

Rocky Ridge: Normal numbers of moose & caribou, better than average caribou racks and fewer than usual ptarmigan/ bears.

Caribou Lodge: More caribou than in 2002, same antler quality, however there seemed to be more mature stags. Excellent black bear activity, but few ptarmigan.

First guests arrived on Sept 7, during the second week of the special archery only season and all went as expected, with a 100% success rate and great trophies. The final day for that hunt saw air temperatures soar to an unexpected and abnormal level in the high 80's F. This condition remained with us for much of the next 2 weeks This had a dramatic impact on the hunting for our guests. The second week was the most difficult that we have ever experienced, with the heat keeping animals under cover of shade and making travel very uncomfortable for hunters and guides alike. In fact, that 2 week period provided the only unsuccessful hunters that our lodges had for the entire season, as all other weeks at all lodges provided 100% success for both moose and caribou. To give an idea of how abnormal the heat was, our summer flyfishing operations would not usually be as hot, and in fact, some schools in the province had to be closed because of the high temperatures.

With our staff remaining virtually unchanged from last year, operations at all 3 lodges went especially smooth, with a steady chorus of appreciation from all for a great hunting experience. 2003 continued the trend of great people at all lodges, including the regular number of husband/wife couples. Here are just a few comments back already from this year’s guests.

- "Tony: I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how pleased my son, Paul and I were with our recent hunt at Rocky Ridge. Though we did not get a moose, we did however get 2 very nice caribou (pictures attached). As you have probably been told by your guides, we both had an opportunity at a moose, but because of a gun failure, the first day, on the part of my son's gun, and because I did not expect the moose to come out running from the woods, we both gave up an excellent opportunity for a bull. Both Clarence and Wallace were certainly very professional and did everything they were supposed to do by putting animals in front of us. "

- " tony just thought I'd drop you a line and tell you how much I enjoyed the hunt, fellowship, and just the time to relax. Looking forward to the next hunt!! " 

Our 2004 hunting schedule is now over half full, with all moose hunts having been filled for quite some time. There are, however, a number of caribou hunts still open at our lodges, including during archery only season and black bear add-on is also still possible. We have also been taking reservations for the 2005 hunting season for some time and only a very few moose hunts remain available.

Once again, we are very receptive to archery caribou hunters and offer a very special welcome to couples, including any non-hunters. Should you have an interest in hunting with us, an early reservation is essential for either of the next 2 hunting seasons.

Please click on Huntnews2002 to view a summary of the previous hunting year, or 2002 caribou racks to view some of the trophies from that fall .