I am thinking of a Quebec Caribou hunt for the fall of 2002, any hints or pointers will be greatly appreciated, such as best dates locations outfitters etc.

I'll tell you what little I do know. Be very careful who you book with.

I have two groups of friends that got burned by outfitters just trying to fill thier camps, even if they were in unproductive areas that the caribou had just passed through. In one case as the party arrived to thier camp, the hunters that were there the week before told them that the caribouy had already moved through the area and the outfitter refused to move them. This was the case with my friends group as well, out of 7 guys noone even saw anything.

Again I do not know as much about Caribou hunting as most of the other guys here, but I do personally know some honest guys that have been burned.

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www.rifleshooter.com

I had a nice hunt in 2000 in Labrador with Jim Hudson. The people there are quite friendly to Americans, much nicer than Quebec. I went at the end of August so the antlers were still in velvet. I took two bulls, one a very nice double shovel. The fishing is also good there and I saw black bears and wolves.

The outfitter I went with, Torngat Wilderness Adventures, was very good, he had lots of professional guides and comfortable, well set up camps. They own their aircraft so transport was uncomplicated.

This is his website...

http://www.labrador-caribou.com/

Check them out.

Here is one of two bulls I shot.

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

[This message has been edited by Aspen Hill Farm (edited 11-07-2001).]

As Bill states...be careful, horror stories abound. Be careful of the price "specials" that they are pushing at the traveling sportsmen's show or through amateur booking agents. These are usually in off periods or in camps that you might as well be hunting camels as you will see about the same number of those as you will caribou. Sometimes it seems that Quebec citizens get the prime camps at a lower price, while American hunters subsidize this and get stuck at the marginal camps. Another trick is if you have a marginal experience, they will try to make it up to you by selling you on a return hunt for a reduced rate. And another thing, there has been quite a problem with newer 4WD pick-ups being stolen from parking lots from where you catch your charter plane from.

Do lots of research and check with references. Going with a cheaper price might be a false savings. Best bet, listen to the professional booking agents. Don't know about you, but I'd rather pay $3500 and get what I pay for, then pay $2200 and have a bad hunt.

Raam........Check the caribou forum on www.bowsite.com.....Lots of caribou info there...Just don't tell 'em you are a RIFLE hunter or some of the bowhunting snobs will not talk to you... Also if you want to email me I'll give you my humble opinion...

Ann........GORGEOUS bull..!!..... ........

Thanks Pygmy, I was quite proud of him. I let a lot of other bulls walk by to other hunters because I was waiting for a double shovel. I was glad I had patience as it paid off!

As mentioned by others here with the trouble in Quebec, I was aware of it too and that is what sent me to Labrador. Same as Matt, I'd rather pay for a quality hunt than get a bunch of unhappy memories.

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

Try this website for Quebec Caribou. I have not hunted with these guys but was sent this by someone who had. He was quite pleased and the website would suggest that they try hard for good bulls. There price is higher so hopefully you get what you pay for.

www.nunami-outfitters.com/Hunting.html

Like Aspen Hill Farm sez, Jim Hudson is a great Guide, and I book for him, so give me a holler and I'll send you a brochure.
Ray

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I went to Quebec in September with 3 buddies. We took 8 bou between us. The motel we stayed at had had a pickup stolen early in the season, but it was not parked in the secure area. If you want any info, e-mail me.

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JD

The best outfitter is Pourvoirie Mirage; www.pourvmirage.com. THEY HAVE helicopters; the success is guaranteed. I go hunting in the month of January;very cold ,but the price is right;you have to go to the outfitter with your truck, about 1100 miles from Montreal.

There is an outfitter who also books in the Torngat Mts at Saglek Fjord and I urge you not to book with this guy. I hunted with him in Newfoundland this September and it was an unbelievable disaster. I and several others were booked with him for Labrador when he canceled the hunt due (he said) to weather and logistical problems. He still owes most of those guys their deposits but I stupidly rebooked to Newfoundland instead. I should have just written off the $2100.

This guy set us up in a cabin where we did not have permission to stay and we got kicked out. It was a dump anyway. He tried to guide me without a pair of binoculars and while wearing a white t-shirt. My brother and I paid for a caribou-moose-bear hunt and never saw a legal trophy (and very few females). If you want the whole gruesome story go here: http://ulfhere.freeyellow.com/ballistics/newfoundland.html The link to this guy's site (Newfoundland Guide Service) is at the bottom of my page. Bill Bryden comes across as a decent fellow and in his own mind I am sure that he thinks he is sincerely trying. I just don't want anyone else to plunk down several thousand dollars for the kind of lousy "outfitting" we received. We basically paid $7400 for a box full of groceries and the time of our outfitter. All the air transport costs of both ourselves and the outfitting was paid by me on top of that. I tipped the second guide (who was really outstanding) more than he was paid by the outfitter for a week of work (our outfitter never did anything).

[This message has been edited by Harald (edited 11-11-2001).]

I would stay away from Quebec.You have less than 50% chance of dealing with an honest outfitter.Mark

I had a great hunt for woodland 'bou and moose in Newfoundland a few years ago, even got my first ride on a helicopter took video of the whole ride.

I think Newfoundland is Canada's best secret. Best of all, you can drive your meat out on the feery to the mainland. You can throwin a bonus bear tag, I had a long shot at a monster that I passed on but it was a 500lb class bear........10