Newfoundland 2023 dates?
Moose
I have a Combo Moose caribou hunt booke in Newfoundland next year for the following dates-
Sept 24- Oct 8. The outfitter said this was a hot year and the moose and bou didn’t get going well till mid October.
The outfitter offered to move my hunt dates to Oct 15-29, 2023 if I so desire.
What are your thoughts? Seems to be a warming trend here up north….. is there any chance it would be too late?
is there any chance it would be too late?
Yes. Could be after the peak of the rut and animals could be cow'd up, which could be more difficult to hunt. Also could be perfect. Personally, I would try and split those dates if you could. At the end of the day, I think it's largely a bit of a crapshoot. If you had to choose between those two, I'd probably choose the later dates. But I think it's a coin toss.
Too late imo. Hunted mid-Oct in 2019 and missed the moose rut. Hunted this past month (9/26-10/1) and we were into moose each day. Will also add that my guide’s caribou client knocked down a nice stag earlier this week. Net-net, I’d follow bigeasygator’s advice and split the difference if you can (10/1-10/15/23). Good luck and have fun up there - awesome place/people.
The earlier you kill the moose, the better the meat quality. I have killed 2 on opening day of rifle. (First week in Sept) Both bulls in velvet. The locals told me the meat is prime then, and during the rut it goes downhill. It was the best wild game meat I've ever had.
I will not transport meat, too far to Alaska.
I cannot split the dates since there are already other hunters.
Does the moon make a big difference?
Very hard to guess the weather years out!
That's why it's a crap shoot. Seeing how bright the full moon was on my recent trip to BC, I can't help but think it would have an impact on a hunt. All else being equal (and it probably isn't), I'd avoid a full moon.
Been 9 times. I’d kill for your existing dates every time. Don’t move them.
Been 9 times. I’d kill for your existing dates every time. Don’t move them.
I will keep your current dates
I've only been there once, back in 2014. Just looked back..killed mine on Oct. 3rd and we had already called in several bulls. I'd leave your dates if it were me.
Keep what you have... I was there last week of Sept in 2021... hit it perfectly. Bulls were grunting... cows bawling. It was on the warm side too.
What about Caribou?
Is later better?
yes to a degree, but your second week hits it well
I would stay with your dates, especially if you want to keep your caribou meat. Who are you hunting with?
Either dates are good. Historically the First dates you chose are more in line with the best part of the rut for Moose. Caribou, the rut is more in line with the second dates you were offered. If you shoot a caribou in the rut, you likely won't be able to pay someone to cook it, let alone eat it. Don't worry about the weather, it's a crap shoot, I've hunted up there on Halloween and wore a T shirt, that was over 20 years ago, I've also been there the end of August with snow. I'm not a fan of hunting the full moon.
This year sept 29th was start rut. By Oct 7th you couldn’t call a bull in. They were all cowed up. We called our first bulls last two falls sept 12th. Hunt bulls before their cowed up. Your dates are prime rut for both caribou moose good luck.
I have dates set Sept 29-oct 5 of 24. New moon is also eight in the middle of that week. Moon phase probably doest have a huge affect with the weather there but I would look at it also
