Madden says the hunt was most enjoyable but was very challenging. He had two stalks, each resulting in a shot. One shot was at 34 yards, the other at 30 yards. The first opportunity failed to connect with a bull Madden says would have measured in the mid- to upper-40s -- very nice for Eastern Canadian moose with a bow in Newfoundland. His hunt in late September took place during the rut, when the bulls were pursuing actively calling cows. Madden even reports seeing cows across a lake and hearing them call to the bulls in the afternoon.
Madden warns interested hunters about several things regarding Newfoundland. First, he says hunters must be in good shape, as the most challenging part of this hunt is the walking. "I have been to Newfoundland three times and every trip was as physically demanding as the prior one," he says. One of those hunts was for woodland caribou, also with Bob Efford. He says the area was very remote and accessible by float plane only during that time of the year. While snowmobilers can access the country later in the year, he says you simply must be in good to great shape. "This is basically a backpack hunt," he says. "The better the shape you're in, the better your chances. We did utilize a boat and small outboard motor to cut down on some of the walking."
His second caveat is that locals hunt heavily for meat. "Be careful where you go and who you go with," he says. "If the hunt is accessible to road hunters, your chances at a true trophy are zero, in my estimation. My first trip to Newfoundland with a different outfitter proved this to be true."........(continued)
