Well, I took my first Moose hunt last week in Northern Newfoundland with Viking Trail Outfitters. I got a cow on Sat. Morning right before jumping on the Beaver Sea Plane. Being my first moose hunt, I learned alot.

First off, this was the toughest hunt I ever did. It snowed, it rained sideways, it got to 55 degrees, then back to 20 degrees. I wasn't expecting bogs after bogs. I sure wasn't expecting to walk 12 miles a day. I wasn't expecting this black spruce that is worse than any briars I ever seen. But most of all, I wasn't expecting my gun to be off 10 feet at 250 yards. Don't know how it happed, but it did with Leupold rings, bases and Vari-X III scope.

After three days of hunting and only seeing Caribou, and moose around 1000 yards away, on Friday we heard a cow call. We climbed down a 40 foot cliff and saw a nice 15 point bull and cow. It looked to me to be 300 yards max, but after the guide ranged it, it was 450 yards. This land played tricks on my eyes. I got 250 yards away and shot and shot under him by a long shot according to the guide. He never left the cow and the wind was in our face. I shot 5 more times raising each time. I was very upset at this point, since I have worked for one year with this gun getting 1.1" groups at 200 yards. So we snuck up 150 yards. I told the guide, I had only one bullet left. He yelled, "thats all". So I knew the gun was off, so I put it 7 ft over its back. This time, we saw the hair fly but it was too high. I over shot it.

That was supposed to be our last day. But the cook loaned me her 30-06, and we tried for a few hours in the morning. And I got a cow at 80 yards. While we were quartering it, the plane came. I had to go so I only took 200lbs of meat back in a hurry. Got 120lbs after it was wrapped.

These people treated us great. I got my shots. But it was harder than I thought it would be. And I thought I would see more animals. So after vowing to never go back on Friday, while putting away my meat last night, I said to myself, "maybe I will book another trip next year".

What I learned;
1:a range finder is a plus if its your first trip.
2:know your gun well if you plan to shoot over 150 yards.
3:Rubber boots are a must and goretex pants.
4:Goretex pants will be cut to ribbons if you don't wear something over them in the Black Spuce.
5:Need to be able to run at least 3 miles or your trip will be miserable. I thought I had a few heart attacks myself.
6:Earplugs in cabin is a must.
7:Never assume your rifle is sighted after a trip on the plane. Also, if you fall down,also could be out severely.
8:I will never make fun of people with see thru sights again.
9:Carry a full box of ammo, you never know when you might get lost and need it or need to take more shots.
10:Guides was wrong almost every time on distance, they do bullshit a little.
11: Make sure you know how to get your meat back. Airports was living hell dealing with it and cost me $450 to get that back and set of horns I found on top of the mountain.
12idn't know that cargo didn't open until after I was gone.
Lastly, next year, find the lightest gun possible. Guns with bull barrels have no business up there.

I asked several times when I got there to shoot in my gun. They insisted that it was a waste of time. I think next time I will get a boresighter and make note of zero. and if i fall down or after the plane ride, make sure its in zero. It was a great country, and all they seemed to worry about was if I was having a good time. It all turned out in the end, but was almost a disaster.

[ 10-08-2002, 02:56: Message edited by: bigcountry ]

Sounds like tough walking . Bogs are no fun .

Why ear plugs for the cabin ? Your pardner snore alot ?

[ 10-08-2002, 02:49: Message edited by: sdgunslinger ]

You got it. There was 5 other hunters in camp that I didn't know. I was by myself. And that snoring was unbearable.

Mark,

Just got back this evening. We all three got our moose and caribou. I got my moose at 560 yards! I also got severly injured in that God-forsaken terrain you were describing above. You know all that working out I did for the last six months? Well, it wasn't enough!

I'm too tired to go into details now. I'll post the story later when I have a chance to recover.

For now I'll simply say that it was the trip of a lifetime -- a true wilderness adventure with great guides and great outfitter.

Later dude.

GAH

I'm back too as of this morning. Got a nice 40" 12pt. When I get things put away I'll post my story also.

Bigcountry, what did you think of those winds and weather??? We were a day late flying in and almost didn't make it out Sunday because of them.

Later

Yea, those winds was whipping up pretty good. So we sat in the base cabin Sunday and Monday. The outfitter kept coming by checking on us and telling us there was nothing he could do, but it was difficult understanding that while watching the outfitter across the lake (pond) taking all his people in all Sunday and Monday. But he had a Beaver. And I understand those 185's can't handle the same wind as a beaver. Sounds like you you got a nice sized bull.

I did find a set of horns on top of the mountain, around a 14 pointer, with 42" spread. I don't know what happened to it. But it was recently killed and a bear was eating on the head it looked like. So I sent those home for a decoration. Looking back, I think it was bad luck taking those horns down. Al, who did you go with? About where did they hunt?

I went with Moose Valley Outfitters. He has a area around Island Pond and flys out of Deer Lake or Pasadinea. 2nd time I've been with them, but have to wait 3yrs as he's filled for the next two. Sota cut my own throat with the good references I was giving. hehe

Hi BigCountry. I was hunting area 3 out of Rack Lake Lodge. Shot a nice 40"+ bull on Sat Sept 28th. Pouring rain . We were on the ridge over looking what the guides call "Moose Valley". Made a good hit on this bull. Shot him while guides were quarting my friends 47"r. I got one shot into his ribs behind shoulder. Looked like a classic heart shot. He ran over the ridge and we never found him. Ended up taking a smaller bull later in the week. We flew out of a small lake just south of Daniels harbour. Our pilots name was Brad. Probably in his mid 20s. Does this sound like same area.

Bigcountry & fetchmax,
I have to ask a question that no one else has asked.
Both of you wounded a bull moose, neither one of you followed it up, and you both shot another moose later in the trip. WTF
I hope that you guys are proud posting more ammo for the anti's.

Yea right. Well, I know I shouldn't waste my time on hostile posts as this, but what the hey. For the record, I didn't wound one. I am pretty sure, since he was back to romancing the cow when I ran out of bullets. I watched him for a clean 30 minutes feeding a little with nothing but a axe in my hand.

Dude, this is a forum. Your post comes off very hostile, and there really is no need for it. Got a tip for you. Don't read my post. There is a bunch of nice guys here that post thier experiences, but there are a select few sit up watching over everyone bashing someone when they get a chance. Kinda makes it no fun man.

For some reason, I have a strange feeling your an antihunter and upset that I went hunting, and you go into these forums bashing people at random pretending to be a hunter. If you not, I appologize. When I said the hair flew up, the guide meant when they turn around very quickly like that I overhshot them. Thats just what they say. I thought I hit him on that last shot since he whirled around and looked back at me. But when I broke out my binocs and saw now blood, no wounds, then several minuites later watched him trying to get back on the cows back, I was fairly certain that any follow up was a severe waste of time. So DaveC what would you suggested I do? I don't have time to post every move I make while hunting.

I try to have the following rule on these forums. Don't say anything, that you regularly wouldn't say to a stranger face to face. For some, the computer and keyboard gives people a licence to say whatever they want. Internet tough guys.

[ 10-11-2002, 16:10: Message edited by: bigcountry ]

You would have to have been there to understand what hunting this rugged but beautiful country is like. Shots of 400-plus yards are the norm and the thickness of the bush is indescribable. Following up a wounded animal is beyond difficult, bordering on impossible in some areas. The week before we arrived, one of the hunters shot a big black bear that made it to the tuckamore brush. There was no way any of the guides were going to follow him in that crap and they forbade the hunter to. (I might add that most guides and locals in Nowfoundland consider black bear to be vermin and not worth risking one's life over.) It's just fact of life.

Another problem unique to hunting moose anywhere is the fact that seldom is there an exit wound. This means little or no blood trail. Add that to several million acres of tuckamore brush and you begin to see the problem in following up wounded game. Fortunately, none in our group had to follow any wounded game -- not that we all had one shot kills-- but we were able to finish the job before the game left the field of play.

And bigcountry, don't feel pregnant. Our guides wouldn't let us shoot our rifles to check our zeros either. They said the moose in the area are gunshot sensitive and the fewer shots fired the better. Maybe they have a point; I can't really say with authority. I do know that the moose we saw closest to camp were the spookiest. Guides said that moose are quick learners and since nine had already been taken out of the area, had gotten very smart. This is one of the reasons they took my two hunting buddies, who are young and in good shape (not that I'm in bad shape, but I'm 51 and white headed, which prompted the guides to put me on the "easy" regimen), on an 18-mile forced march on the first day to kill their two moose. The moose in this region were "virgins" in the sense that they had not been hunted and shot at.

I can see how an animal could be lost, even by the most concientious of hunters in this terrain. Having been there I will be the last to criticise anyone for this infraction. Unless you've walked a mile (more like 50-75 miles) in their shoes, keep your negative coments to the form of gentle inquiry. Broad accusations are simply not warrented in this case.

So there!

GAH

I agree GA. i was shocked on how the terrain is misleading. We saw a cow once and the mountain didn't look like it had any holes or flats. Just looked like a steady incline. But she was hiding in one of these holes. Very decieving terrain. Moose hunters I talked to from Alaska, also said it was totally different than they are used too.

Yes, "the Rock" is definately a differant place to hunt. Half rock, half swamp, half impenetrable bush. Yeah, I know that makes three halves, but you have to work that terrain to believe it.

Dave, lighten up a little. I know that we all (OK, most of us) are geared towards doing everthing possible to get our game and not let a proud animal suffer, but some things (in some places) are almost impossible to do. The point about bear being treated as vermin was a good one. Most Canadians who didn't grow up in cities have this attitude. I don't recall ever even thinking of black bear as a game species until I had hunted with a few Europeans. Here in Alberta, if you are the landowner, or have his permission, black bear on the property are considered (legally) as varmints. sort of very large prairie dogs. Anyway, a good hunt gentlemen, and thank you for your stories. - Dan

The only irresponsible people in this post were the guides who would not let you shoot your rifles to check zero.Every outfitter that I know will not let you hunt without checking your rifle.To hunt with a rifle that has not been verified to be zero'd is taking a big chance on wounding an animal.

Bigcountry,
I took the meaning of your words literaly as is. Now that you have described what you meant by the fur flying, I am wrong and apologize.
Not trying to be hostile, but I have come across too many wounded animals in my time. I read your post earlier this week and didn't pay much attention to it. After reading fetchmax's I guess it kinda set me off.
If you want to see if I am an anti hunter, look up Alaska Yukon Moose in the hunting stories - rest of world forum.
I did not sight my rifle in here either, but I did take the bolt out for a rough bore sighting to be sure it was close.

Cool Dave, I guess we are square. Just shooting 7 times at an animal tha big was a humiliating experience that I don't want to relive and can't believe happened to me. I mean, you always read about it. And then getting stomped on was hard for me to take. I just posted to let everyone know that it does happen. Getting your scope knocked off that is.

So, Dave, I did a search and believe your not a pretender. I see your going to Alaska. Let us know how you do in Alaska. But you never know what kinda person is lurking around in these pages.

bigcountry;Just curious what brand and type of scope and rings were you using?I work as guide for a local outfitter and I try to get every client to test fire his rifle we have a commercial bench and 100 yard target but very few will and I am completely puzzled as to why not.You would think that someone spending big money for a guided hunt would want every possible chance of failure removed.I took a hunter on an antelope hunt a few years ago got him to within 100 yds he shot twelve times with a rem.270 pump and never did hit it.Well you would think he would go sight in his rifle ,no way the next day he empties his rifle shooting at a muley buck all misses I took his buddies rifle and handed it to him and he finally hit it on the third shot in the hind quarters it ran off in the brush I eventually found it and finished it with my revolver.When we got in that afternoon I got him to benchrest his rifle he couldnt get it on the 24 inch square target.I shot it and it hit high and left about 12 inches.I think by then he was just tore up and frustrated and that contributed to his poor shooting. w/regards

Bigcountry-What kind of gun case was your rifle transported in?I am asking because I have never seen a rifle knocked off that far without visible damage to the scope.Was the case damaged in any way?

ALL RIGHT DAVEC. I WILL DEFEND MYSELF HERE. I MADE A PRETTY GOOD SHOT ON THIS BULL IN THE POURING RAIN AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY MY GUIDES. THEY WERE DAMN NEAR 100% SURE I MADE A GOOD HIT. I PRACTICE A LOT. MY RIFLE SHOOTS LESS THAN 1 " GROUPS. THEY FINISHED THEIR JOB AND WE WENT LOOKING. WE SPENT OVER 2 HOURS. 6 GUYS. 3 HUNTERS AND 3 GUIDES. NO BLOOD JUST HAIR. THE BULL RAN STRAIGHT DOWN A HILL OUT OF SIGHT. IT HAPPENS. THAT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF MY HUNT. I WAS SICK WITH THE THOUGHT OF A WASTED BULL OUT THERE DEAD. YES I DID SHOOT ANOTHER ONE ON THURSDAY. IN THE SAME AREA. WE HUNTED THERE ALL WEEK AND NEVER SEEN SIGN OF HIM. IF YOU DON' PAY FOR MY HUNT AND PUT IN THE HARD LEG WORK THEN KEEP YOUR TRAP SHUT.THE BULL I ENDED UP SHOOTING TOOK 2 BULLETS. ONE LENGTH WISE FROM NECK TO GUTS. THE OTHER THROUGH THE NEXT. THAT DROPPED HIM. MY PARTNERS BULL TOOK 2 SHOTS IN THE LUNGS AND GOT BACK UP. HE PUT 4 MORE IN HIM. THEY ARE TOUGH AND BIG.

Fetchmax-If you hunt long enough you will lose an animal eventually.Noone is perfect and a shot will be misplaced sooner or later.That being said the shot you made on this moose was obviously not a good shot or the moose wood have been found.You made all possible attempts to find the moose and that is all that anyone can do.Moose can take more than one shot to kill but a well hit moose will seldom go far before bedding.I have shot several myself and have used a finishing shot on occaision but none of the bulls went far after being hit.

Bigcountry & fetchmax,
Again, I have been out of line. You guys ever have something that just crossed your mindset?
I returned from AK on the 17, and went duck hunting on the 21st. Just for back ground. There were too many people that shot ducks and would not move their boats to collect them in an orderly fashion. Many lost ducks. I pick mine up. I'll move the boat to collect any that have been downed and then go back to my spot. There were way too many people that would shoot and not collect their birds. Too many cripples and floaters. That I cannot deal with. I guess that what I read set me off. I did alot of research on moose anatomy and decided on what shot was appropriate for the situation, shoulder for anchor or lung for slow kill. I took 2 shots to down my moose and the guide finished it. He said that too many times he has had a hunter put a finisher in the brain only to shoot high and blow the antlers off.
Moose are big and can soak up alot of lead, often without much reaction.

I was on a moose/caribou hunt in Newfoundland a few years back and took 2 rifles along with me...a .338 and a .30/06. After two days of lugging the .338 , I decided to give my old knees a break and carry the '06. Wouldn't you know, we spotted a nice bull with 4 cows about 800 yards across a huge, open bog. The closest we could get before running out of cover was 450 yards....a lot farther than I would normally take a shot. I settled in with a good rest, cranked my Leupold up to 8x, it felt good so I took the shot. The bull was facing directly toward me and my 180gr. Nosler Partition handload hit him low in the chest and down he went...tried to get up, broadside to me, and I held just above his back in line with the front leg elbow and fired. Down he went to stay. I was feeling very pleased with myself at that point and once again impressed with the effectiveness of the Nosler Partition bullet. Several trips to Newfoundland have taught me to be prepared for long shooting...know your rifle well, shoot premium loads and burn the trajectory into your memory. I didn't own a laser rangefinder back then, but won't hunt without one these days. Sorry to be so long winded but that was such a great hunt that it feels good to bring back the memory.

gophershooter, they were Leupold two peice bases and rings. 4.5-14X50 Vari X III Scope. The scope was just received back from Leupold due to it fogged up. I talked to several of the people from several outfitters. Nobody shot their guns before the hunt. You bet ya I will next time or I will get a new outfitter.

You would have to see these guys to understand it better. Their hunting equipment was very rough. 100 dollar rifle, 40 dollar scopes, 40 dollar binocs, but yet they always kill moose. And I respect that, and expect that. I mean we buy all this crap, because we are told we need it, and have fun playing around with new toys. These people didn't care much about losing animals as most people I see in there position. I mean, they fight to stay alive. They don't get no Ted Nugent "spirit thing going", they just hunt to eat. I understand this also, growing up in Eastern Ky being dirt poor. Only when I got a good job, and hunting was a luxury and passionate hobby, did I get this connection to it. Before, you did it to have meat, and you tried to kill at least 5 good deer a year doe or buck. Now, I get one good doe with a bow, and now I am horn hunting.

I practiced for year and half getting a gun to shoot well. Shot over 500 handloads to find just the right load.

Stubblejumper, it was a plano metal case. I think I know the issue. When I got the gun out of the case, the gun slid to the bottom with the scope down. Shouldn't have backed it in that orientation compared to the carry handle. I don't think I packed it that tight. So I think on that rough handleing knocked it. Could have been anything.

Now, I got this good friend that says he hates leupold's rings and bases. He has always beat this drum on burris posilock, and now I will never hear the end of it.

Bigcountry-I would not worry about the base and rings as much as the scope.The base and rings are steel and the scope tube will be damaged before the rings or base move.I would probably send the scope back to the manufacturer to be checked as I have seen the actual scope tube bent and it is very hard to detect by eyeballing it on the rifle.

DAVEC, Thanks for litening up a little. I'm still having dreams/nightmares about losing that bull. This was my first moose hunt. I saved for 2 years. Then on the first day I wound one after careful load developement and practice. Sure did set me back a few notches as a hunter in my mind. I am an NRA member and hate the anti's also and hate giving them any reasons to bash us. Last time I squirrel hunted I shot 2. I stopped at a store and forgot about them in the back of the truck, by time I got home they were too ripe to clean. Ive never squirrel hunted since. I hate wasting the resource. I quit duck hunting with a relative because he would over shoot his limit and throw the left overs in the weeds. We don't need that in the hunting ranks. I'm sorry if I offended anyone. If anyone has anymore questions about the hunt, outfitters etc. Ill be glad to answer them. Thanks Brian

Bigcountry
Thanks for the story. Sounds simmilar to some of the bogs of Northern Ontario. I have on several ocassions tried to describe how impenetrable the black spruce can be. So far, few American hunters will believe that you can throw your whole weight against the bush and not get through. Trees grow as close together as a picket fence in places, and laced with dead branches that tear at your clothes, and spear at your eyes. Did you manage to step into one of those nice little holes in the bog? The ones covered by moss and waist deep in freezing water?

John, first morning, first hour, right up to my hip, and then to get out right up to the other hip. Had to go back and change. Kinda got off to a bad start. Yea, people warned me about the black spruce, but I thought I knew it all hunting horrible briar thickets and swamps on the Eastern Shore. And I thought they were just exagerating.

Bigcountry;Thanks for sharing your experince with us sounds like you did your part and were well prepared just had some bad luck. w/regards

Before we went up there, we talked to a bunch of folks who attempted to describe what we would face. The replies ranged form a roll of the eyes to downright dire warnings of "don't go unless you can walk 20 miles per day!"

Only one guy described it correctly, when he said, "I can't describe it; you'll have to experience it for yourself!"

Anyone planning to go to Newfoundland should take this warning seriously, however. Don't go unless you are in shape to some degree. If your are not in shape, you will not enjoy the experience.

My moose was not a trophy, but no animal I have ever taken was harder earned than this one. My trophy will be the memories ingrained in my memory of what I had to go through to get him.

Bad Luck, keeps rollin and rollin. Bowhunted tonight and the biggest buck I have ever seen while bowhunting rolled up. I thought it was going to go on one path to the left but went up under the brush and ended up 10 yards from me to the right. When I tried to swing the bow around, he saw me. I will prabably go another 20 years without seeing a buck that size bowhunting.

bigcountry,
Move your stand since he busted you. I'd plan on backtracking the trail he came in on about 100 yards and find a set-up that at least that far away.
Good Luck! You know he is around and he definitly knows you are around.

Help, I need a preist or something. Major emergency. I am cursed this year. I rarely ever miss much. Maybe once every two years. After missing that buck on Wed evening, I went muzzleload hunting for sika deer on the Eastern Shore. 8AM, wow, a nice 6 pt comes out of the marshes. Finally vindicated of all my failures this year. Has no idea I am there. 30 yards, I squeeze the trigger and get the dreadful "snap". No, it can't be. Load another cap, "snap". but he still hasn't moved yet. He don't know where the sound is comeing from. Third cap, and still "snap". After crying, I get down out of the tree and field strip the gun in the swamps. Pellets are dry to the bone, nipple is clear. Reload and test and "Bang". Works like a champ. Never saw another sika.

Here is the tally this year.

Bow 3 missed deer
muzzleloader misfire
moose 7 misses
moose 1 cow finally downed.

Has anyone else ever had a year like this? Its a nightmare. I rarely miss. Maybe once ever 2 years. Thinking about calling it a year and missing gun season.

amogreg, I will do that next weekend. If I down this 8pt or even something smaller, I will be vindicated and move on to gun season with confidence. If not, thinking I should be fishing. I am used to failing at that.

[ 10-19-2002, 23:52: Message edited by: bigcountry ]

bigcountry,

Get back on the horse son, it'll be alright.

Rich Elliott

Bigcountry,
Go hunting, you have used up all your bad luck and will never even catch a cold again.

The only other bad luck you could have had was to have bought a French car!