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WingShooting
Encouraging news for ptarmigan populations at some of our lodges.
For those interested in a relaxed hunting tempo, the great
wingshooting sport offered by our Ptarmigan hunting is ideal. These upland
game birds are by far our most popular in Newfoundland. 
There are two different types, the Willow Ptarmigan and the Rock Ptarmigan, and
all our lodges provide hunting
for both on the predominantly barren grounds that they normally inhabit.
As our facilities are remotely located, hunting pressure in our immediate
areas is very low, and is almost exclusively reserved for our guests.
The most effective method of pursuing these birds is with
pointing dogs, of which there are many popular types, with the English, Irish
and Gordon setters being the among the most frequently used in NL. There
are many other breeds which are also well suited to our ptarmigan, that will
normally hold for point. Just to
watch an eager, well trained setter work the grounds is a delight by
itself. To the most dedicated ptarmigan hunters, bagging birds is only
secondary.
There is unlimited terrain available on which our clients can hunt, but some of the best is situated fairly close to our lodges. At Grey River, we have limited use of an ATV which gives some added mobility, while at Rocky Ridge, we have the use of boats on a large lake, which gives easy access to a vast amount of country.
At present, we are limited in the number of dogs at our
disposal and
welcome
our clients to bring their own. Access to our areas is as shown on the map provided.
The report is now in on another great hunting season for 2006. Please check in at Hunt News for details of our guests latest hunting experience, including a photo sample.
Our most recent hunting season revealed vastly increased numbers of birds at Rocky Ridge Lodge and with very little harvesting this past fall, expectations are high for some good action in 2005. One short 2 -3 hour excursion just walking distance from camp showed close to 50 birds.
Both Caribou Lodge and Salmon Brook also had increased sightings of ptarmigan, and that is sure to provide opportunity for some good sport for 2006 big game hunters who fill their tags early in their hunt.
A brief history of ptarmigan activity at our lodges over the previous 6 years will provide an excellent insight into the current population cycle.
Our 1999 hunting season saw one of the highest populations that we have seen at Rocky Ridge Lodge, with just three or four hours in the field showing 70+ ptarmigan on a number of occasions.
The 2000 hunting season showed an improvement in the number of
Ptarmigan at Rocky Ridge, even over the previous year. For almost all
guests, even the big game hunters, the upland wingshooting experienced at Rocky
Ridge Lodge was unbelievable and the highlight of their trip. Our busiest
year of bird hunting did not see the hunting slow much with the advance of
the season. As the season progressed, 
the young
Gordon Setter primarily used at this lodge got full value for all the action and developed
into a tremendous pointing dog with great hunting savvy and endurance.
The 2003 hunting season showed same numbers of birds as the low levels of the previous year, but some great enjoyment was experienced by those that hunted. A reduced hunting effort due to concentration on obtaining the very best quality big game racks, resulted in fewer birds being shot, ensuring maintenance of a good brood stock for next year.
As expected, the 2004 hunting season saw an upturn in ptarmigan populations, especially at Rocky Ridge Lodge, and with almost no hunting effort during that fall, the numbers of birds should continue to rebound even more quickly.
At present, there remains opportunity for ptarmigan hunting at our lodges for 2006, but available space is sure to disappear quickly as both big and small game hunters select their hunting periods.
For more information or reservations, please contact:
Grey River Lodge Ltd.
22 Riverview Drive, Shoal Harbour, NL
Canada A5A 4M9
Tel: 1-877-466-2440 (Toll
free) Tony
Tuck
Cell: 709-427-3494
Fax:
709-466-2536
E-mail
Please sign our Guest Book
For complete details of our wilderness Atlantic salmon fly fishing operations please check at www.flyfishinggreyriver.com
Flyfishing, Wingshooting, Hiking, Big Game, Lodges, Map, Home, Bowhunting,
Last updated November 2, 2007