Hunting at Newfoundland

 

A vast part of Newfoundland and Labrador is an unspoiled and untamed expanse with a variety and abundance of wildlife. A hunter's paradise!  Every region of Newfoundland and Labrador offers exceptional hunting opportunities. Labrador is known as 'The Big Land' (an area of 294,330 square kilometers and a population of only 32,000 people) - a prime indicator of the hunting potential of this region.

 

The province offers excellent outfitters and experienced guides for archery hunting and rifle hunting. With professional guides, bow or rifle hunters have the greatest opportunity for success. Archery season begins 2 weeks before rifle season. 
The outfitters set up hunters in the areas with the most concentration of animals. Since many summer resorts and fishing camps are turned into hunting camps during autumn, hunters can expect the best accommodations. Often big game can even be spotted from these convenient and affordable lodges.

Hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador

Big Game
- Moose
- Caribou
- White Tail Deer
- Black Bear

Small Game
- Canada Duck
- Goose
- Woodland Birds (spruce grouse, ruffled grouse)
- Waterfowl (mallards, golden-eyes, ring-necks)

Moose Hunting
Newfoundland and Labrador has more moose than any other place in North America and as many moose as any world location. Eastern Canadian moose can have 50-inch moose racks and weigh up to 544 kilograms (1,200 pounds). The most successful moose hunters will walk into a region, locate a feeding area, and wait for these majestic animals. There are two types of moose hunt – the regular moose hunt and the trophy hunt.
Caribou Hunting
Newfoundland has the only huntable woodland caribou herd in the world for non-resident hunters. The island's woodland caribou herds migrate over relatively-fixed paths, therefore, hunters have easier access and more chance of success. Since caribou have the largest antlers in proportion to body weight of any of the world's game animals, they qualify in the trophy category. Big bulls have impressive, white manes and they stand out in a herd.
Caribou are always on the move and bed down only for a few minutes at a time. The caribou may be continually moving but a hunter who catches up can find themselves in a large herd of stags. The largest woodland caribou herd in the province is the Middle Ridge Herd. 
Since there is an astounding number (450,000) of barren ground caribou in Labrador, non-resident hunters can take two barren ground caribou on each license. The George River barren ground caribou herd (750,000 animals) is one of the largest in the world. As well, Labrador is home to many record-book stags. Hunters should check out the Labrador hunting regulations.

Black Bear Hunting
The average black bear is in the 200-300 pound range. Yet Newfoundland's 10,000 black bears are larger than their mainland Canada cousins. Males are thirty seven per cent larger than their counterparts are and females outweigh the others by fifty seven per cent. One Newfoundland bear weighed a certified 687 pounds.
 Biologists believe that there is a genetic predisposition towards the larger size. As well, general low hunting pressure in the region and their high protein intake from being a predator of moose and caribou might contribute to the difference in size.
Hunters are allowed to go after black bears in spring and autumn and they can use a rifle or bow. Hunting areas include cedar swamps, pine ridges, and old growth, and most hunting is done over baited stations.

Hunting Regulations
Hunting big game is permitted, with a long bow or compound bow and arrows, in all areas under regular license. It is not permissible to hunt game with a crossbow. Bows must have a minimum of 20 kg pull at full or peak draw. Arrows used for big game must be tipped with a sharp metal hunting head possessing two or more cutting surfaces (with two retaining a sharpened edge).
It is unlawful to hunt big game with a cross 22 caliber rifle or with any rifle using ammunition with a bullet weight of less than 100 grams or muzzle energy less than 1500 foot pounds. Rifles in the caliber 308 or 30-06, using a 150-180 grain bullet reaching out to at least 200 yards, is suggested for moose and something less for caribou.
Big game hunting tags are supplied with a license and they should be in the hunter's possession at all times. When the kill is made, the tags have to be attached to the animals immediately before the kill is moved anywhere. The kill is not legal until the hunter attaches a tag. If approached by a warden while hunting, and a person is unable to show their meat tags, the individual could be charged with an offence under the wildlife regulations.