Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Canada Newfoundland moose hunting gear

We are driving from CT to NS, then ferrying and another 8 hour ride to Conne River Outfitters for a fly in hunt on September 30th this year.
I’ve read many “what to bring “ lists.
We have a 50 lb weight restriction.

My question is what do you guys bring that meets your needs for the week without overpacking.

I’m thinking two pairs of pants and shirts, I have Kuiu Chugash rain pants, looking for a jacket on sale, 4 - 6 pair of socks, lightweight Kuiu zipped shirt and Kuiu attack jacket. Merino wool base layer if we get a cold spell.
Have Cabelas high boots.
Hat and lightweight gloves.

Here's what I used to send to clients, .....alter as you see fit,

WHAT TO BRING

The following are suggested items to bring along on your hunting adventure with ARCTIC SAFARIS at Obstruction Rapids.

Waterproof climbing boots - Any good boot 10-12" high that will handle water up to 5" or so. Cordura, leather, or Gore-tex are fine. A good gripping sole like Vibram is essential for wet rocks. I wear Russell Moccasins or a pair of Rocky Boots. The guides all have a pair of hip waders for launching and landing the boats and that's the only time you're dealing with any amount of water! And to prevent grief and blisters, make sure they're well broken in!

Moccasins or runners for around camp

Warm coat (down or wool) - It can get cold traveling the lake and we usually have some wind. For later in the season or for those who can't get acclimated quickly, we have heavy down parkas. Gore-tex or insulated cammies * are fine. Columbia Sportswear makes an excellent product, the Quad Parka *. If you are wondering about colors for camouflage, go for the light browns. Day Desert, as used in Iraq, is one of the best.

2 pair gloves - for the earlier hunts, one pair leather and one or two pair of cotton gardening gloves serve well. For the later 2 or 3 hunts, bring one pair of Thinsulate* gloves and the cotton gloves.

Warm cap or toque

Long johns or insulated underwear for later hunts - definitely needed for the last 3 hunts. I suggest polypropylene or wool *.

Several changes of both cotton and wool socks - The new polypropylene socks* are also great.

Jeans or other heavy pants - Jeans are fine. The heavy wool khaki pants available at the surplus stores are great. So are the new Gore-tex jeans* and pants that come as part of a cammie outfit.

Warm shirts and sweaters

Down or sheepskin vest - This is an option depending upon your choice of jackets and sweaters.

Rain gear - Something lightweight that can be tossed in a pack. If you have Gore-tex clothing, you shouldn't need any.

Sunglasses

Spare glasses if used

Camera and lots of film - You can never have enough film. I suggest 100 or 200 ASA Kodak SuperGold or MAX if you can find it. Both work fine with our sunlight. And bring spare batteries just in case! If digital, have lots of memory!

Binoculars - a good pair of quality, waterproof binoculars are a definite asset. If you are going to buy a new pair, I highly suggest Swarovski SL's or SLC compacts. They're a bit costly, but will last a lifetime and are excellent.

Spotting scope (if you have one)

Rifle and 60 rounds of ammunition - from .25 caliber on up. The 7mm's and .300's are fine. Likewise with the .270 or .30-06. Whatever you shoot best! Pack your ammo 20 rounds in each bag. Then if the airlines do lose a bag, you still have ammo enough to get by if your scope is out of whack and needs resighting. Make sure your bullets will hold together. We like to see Noslers or other premium bullets. If you don't handload, get some Federal Premium ammo. They're Noslers!
Don't concern yourself with a spare rifle. We always have a rack of excellent rifles in a variety of calibers in camp and lots of ammo.

Bow and 18 arrows - at least 50 lb. draw, and good sharp broadheads. Don't forget spare strings, nocks, sight pins, etc.

Hard shell rifle or bow case - As opposed to many outfitters, I prefer that you have a hard shell case. It's better protection against the airlines, gives good protection on the bush planes, and definitely protects against rain or a misplaced foot in the boats. A damaged gun or bow can ruin a hunt!

Packed in soft side traveling bags - They pack in an aircraft well and aren't damaged. Duffel bags are fine.

Blood-proof insulated meat bag - We suggest the Kool Tote, available at 1-909-582-9798. They have worked well for our hunters and have many other uses. The 36 pack size @ $59.95 will generally hold the meat from one caribou. The 48 pack size @ $69.95 will handle two caribou . Either is an exceptional bargain compared to other products we have seen. We prefer not to deal with picnic coolers due to space requirements on the aircraft.

Fishing rod with 10-15 lb. test line - This will get you most fish. If you have two spools, go for 10 lb. on one and 20 or 25 lb. on the other. A light takedown rod can be packed in your hard shell rifle case under the foam.

Fishing lures - we suggest Len Thompson, Red Devils, Mepps #2, Eight of Diamonds, Silver or blue/silver spoons in 4" to 7" sizes. Grayling usually prefer the smallest you can find. If you want, Wolverine Sports Store is not far from your hotel and will make knowledgeable suggestions for our fish, plus they offer a good discount to all clients.


PLEASE TRY TO LIMIT YOUR GEAR TO 80 lbs.
* These items are available from Cabela's catalogue (1-800-237-4444)


WE SUPPLY THE SLEEPING BAG SO DON'T BOTHER PACKING ONE!

abbydog,
Returning to NF for a September flyin myself.
I have had good luck with synthetic fleece as it is warm, very light in weight, and dries damn near instantly should it get wet.
A windshear type fleece jacket is high on my list as they're comfortable over wide temp range and handle humidity very well.
Lots of wool socks as my feet sweat a good bit in rubber boots. It's the only wool I use.
I've always used Lacrosse boots, but might go with muck boots this year.
Crocs are every bit as comfortable as they are ugly, and they weigh about nothing, so make good camp shoes on a fly in.
A microfleece towel is worth considering, as again, weighs nothing, dries fast, and from experience, I can tell you, does the job.
If it decides to rain, it can be epic up there, so any rain gear should be "good stuff." Think about that relative to your rifle & scope as well.
A good down vest can cover a lot of ground and can be combined with the windshear fleece and/or rain parks, as conditions indicate. They weigh nothing and pack small.
The only cotton is likely in my handkerchief and game bags.
Would be real intersted in hearing your story in the fall.
Good hunting!

The weight limitation is restrictive. Add up the weight of your rifle, ammo, binoculars and camera and subtract that from the 50 lb. limit. I think you will find very little left to accommodate other necessities. Is there provision for over weight or is 50 lbs. it?

Jim

Get a good quality led headlamp. Worth the weight

I hunted NF last year. Hunted during the time when the weather was nasty. Do not buy good rain gear, buy the best.

Would it be advisable to pre-ship a storage container type box with you hunting clothes, boots, and whatnots to the outfitter a few weeks prior to your hunt to save on space and weight?

Four of us are driving from Connecticut to North Sydney NS, catch the ferry at 11:00 pm (sleeping berths for the trip) and proceed to the town near camp and get a good nights sleep. We also have an enclosed lockable trailer.
Ferry to base camp is 7 hours.
I met the guide last week in Harrisburg and he suggested getting near the camp first and foremost.
We are flying in about 15 minutes.
I picked up a pair of Kuiu Chugach bottoms, looking at various tops.
The guide also recommended two pairs of boots.

All great recommendations,

I just asked my wife to pick us up the towels in her travels!
thank you

Steve

Looking good after taking inventory of what I have.
Really only need a second wicking first layer and a rain jacket.

I’m leaning towards Swazi, Kuiu and Fjallraven for a jacket in olive so at least can wear it everyday. The Swazi and Fjallraven are expensive as hell but I won’t be buying another one!

I did the drive several times during the 1970's with my Uncle and from CT. It's an interesting drive. Things have changed a bit, the road you take out of Bangor is better than it was then. Word of warning, it's like walking on a mattress there very wet. Take what will keep you dry, and start getting in exercise. It's not like walking in the woods in CT. I would be hitting the gym every other day and taking a walk every other day. About two or three months before you go, start carrying a load when you walk and the boots you are going to where, my first trip, I was done in three days and the blisters on my feet hurt like you know what. As for the rest, let common sense and what your outfitter says. Above all enjoy it.

Hi,

I have been hitting the gym five days a week 5:30 am lifting weights and doing cardio with two friends.

Next month I’ll hit the Metacomet and Tunxis trail on the weekends hiking 5-7 miles per day. I will start with hiking boots and alternate with my La Crosse 15” alpha burly style.
I’ll be 66 in August so it’s imperative I am as fit as I can get! Also hope to drop 30 lbs by then as well.

abbydog

I have been following your threads as you began an interest to hunt Newfoundland as expressed here at the Campfire. Gotta say, It's exciting to see your excitement about the hunt. I have made my reservations for the first week of September "19. Sixty six years is young. I scheduled 9/19 to celebrate my 80th. On my first hunt I shot the 13th moose that I saw on the first day. That hunt was way too short.

Keep up the preparations and keep in mind that on most adventures the unexpected has a tendency to pop up. My trips to hunt the Moose in Newfoundland have been wondrously exhilarating. There was a campfire story for every day.

I concur. Horizontal rain/snow mix isn't unusual nor is a warm, bright, sunny day.

Have fun
Jim

The road from Bangor to the border is a lot better than it was 30+ years ago when I first moved here to NB but the big improvement is the drive through NB and NS where the 4 lane hwy has replaced the old rabbit trail of when you were passing through to the ferry at Cape Breton.

I was in Halifax 3 years ago and drove around Cape Breton, stayed in Sydney for the night. Definitely want to go back and do some fishing. Also want to rake a look at NB trout fishing as well.
I hope to meet an outfitter this week at the Springfield Sportsman show.

Jim, we need to meet in NY this summer!

An afterthought regarding the night ferry.
The queue for the next ferry starts shortly after the last one left in a huge parking lot as everyone lines up over several hours. This turned out to be interesting and lots of fun. Lots of hunters, from all over the map, in all sorts of rigs. Can be quite the casual social event as the ferries leave 12 hours apart, so sort of an extended tailgate party.
Worth throwing a folding chair, couple of beers and some food, per man in your truck to get throught the afternoon and evening. Lots of chewing the fat and interesting characters on their way to hunt bullwinkle.
It is worth being early, and comfortable. You sure don't want to be late!

Great idea.
We intend to be there early and taking a berth to get some sleep. If we leave Connecticut in the wee hours, we should be there by 6:00pm or so. Packing food for the road, get coffee at the gas stations.
My son is making our reservations this week.

This is probably the best thing out of all your gear to bring. Good cardio, heart, lungs...and maybe some light knee bracing. Also, expect to spend 1/2 of your time getting back up of the ground and onto your feet...as you will fall a lot. Learn to fall safely, and to get back up easily. Perhaps incorporate that in your cardio work out.

I would find a steep hill and do your cardio there. Look for wet, slippery, tangley, muddy stuff and climb that hill and decend being careful of your knees, and ankles.

Best to you.!

[quote=abbydog
Jim, we need to meet in NY this summer![/quote]

That should be doable. I'd gladly welcome the opportunity.

Also Bri first g my Black Diamond hiking poles, great for stability.

Yes, good call as there is high brush, and very few good trees from which to take a rest for shooting...practice off those poles.