14 November 2006, 23:34
CurtissAnother newfoundland moose hunt
I hunted the opening week in unit 15 at a place called the Hideaway Lodge. I would give the experience a strong "mediocre" rating, for several specific reasons.
Most blatant: Outfitter paired us up with strangers. Early on the third day, our guide saw a moose & wanted us to shoot. As I had a bull only tag, & could not see horns, I backed off. Guide kept after the other fellow to shoot, & he ifinally took a shot at what turned out to be a brush pile. It was early and the range was around a 100 yards.
Lodge had us out early in the morning, and back to lodge by 10 or 11AM. Then we were to hang around lodge until 4 PM, then head out til dark. It was an awful lot of ours sitting around the lodge.
Afternoon of the first day, guide dropped off the other hunter, we hike another 1/4 mile & set up a watch, directly into the setting sun. A cow moose walked out on the bog, & guide immediately headed back for the other hunter. A small bull walked out, which he saw, but he continued after the other guy. Both were gone when they got back. Bull had some horns, but no palmation, and was a lot shorter than the cow. These were the first moose I had ever seen with a rifle in my hands. And no guide to discuss wheter it was a reasonable bull, or not. I will never know for sure.
Asked for another guide at the end of that day. Next AM with a new guide, we had to wait til well after sun up to spot for the owner & another hunter looking over some bogs they were going to hunt up through. THen we were free to head over the rock & down into a huge bog we were to hunt. there was a real good bull out about a 1/2 mile. Never saw him again. Might have had a chance if we had moved into the bog in the early dark like all the other hunters. I understand that sometimes that is just the way a hunt goes. I can accept that.
However, I was never again permitted to hunt within 5 miles of that bog, tho' the owner & Canadian hunters went back morning & afternoon til the end of the week in search of that mauler.
Last, there was a bit of anti-American sentiment in the air that surfaced at least twice during the week.
I truly liked Newfoundland, and intend to return. But it will be at a different lodge.
15 November 2006, 02:46
dogcatIt would help if you posted more details about the lodge, what was promised to you and names of the owners/guides. Thanks for posting your story. Sorry it did not work out.
15 November 2006, 23:31
bwanamrmWow, a bad experience not mediocre IMO. I agree with Dogcat, post the offending outfit's information as a courtesy to other fellow hunters so they don't end up booking with them!
21 November 2006, 06:55
CurtissThis lodge is located on Frozen Ocean Lake, outside of Grand Falls-Windsor. Owner is Rob Folkes.
23 November 2006, 05:14
gordySorry Curtiss that you had trouble with your outfitter. Get the word out on the outfitter. I hate to see Newfoundland get a bad name.
regards
dan
25 November 2006, 06:56
Yankee DoodleFor whatever my opinion is worth...
I have hunted Nfld. twice for moose. Bagged a decent, not great, animal both times. I can reccomend the outfitter without any reservations. Simply the best people to hunt with I have ever met.
Tuckamore Lodge
Main Brook, Nfld.
The owner is Barb Genge, and she really runs a class act. You might want to give her a call the next time you want to go up there.
Additionally, I have found Newfies to be some of the friendliest and best people I have ever met.
Like I said, for whatever it's worth.
Y.D.