Ontario

[3darcher2]

I'm 62, retiring this week, and definitely need to get moose hunting sooner than later.

I'm in western PA. For a long time, I've pretty much figured it would be Newfoundland when I finally got to go, and the high success rate is attractive for something that might be a one and done type hunt. But I also want a bull that looks like a moose, not a young meat bull with the 3 or 4 point elk like antlers. I want some sort of palms.

The high-end Newfoundland outfitters are pretty much all $10K+ for the fly in hunts which would seem to be a necessity to maximize chances for a decent bull on NL. But recently Ontario has come into my radar. A guided fly in there seems to be in the same price range, maybe even a little lower, with somewhat better trophy potential. Success rates do seem to be slightly lower, maybe 70% as opposed to 95%. The hunts also seem to frequently maybe 9 or 10 days instead of a week like is standard in NL and the guided options usually are 1 on 1. The ONT hunts also seem to be more of a hunting experience and less of a production line, which is what it seems like from some of the NL posts.

There's also the longer term potential to do some DIY in years following in ONT, at least as they do it there, basically a fly in drop camp cabin on a lake with a boat. The ONT areas for moose are also a good bit shorter drive and no ferry, making logistics a little simpler.

Thoughts from anyone, please.

 

[AHD1997]

I'm 62, retiring this week, and definitely need to get moose hunting sooner than later.

I'm in western PA. For a long time, I've pretty much figured it would be Newfoundland when I finally got to go, and the high success rate is attractive for something that might be a one and done type hunt. But I also want a bull that looks like a moose, not a young meat bull with the 3 or 4 point elk like antlers. I want some sort of palms.

The high-end Newfoundland outfitters are pretty much all $10K+ for the fly in hunts which would seem to be a necessity to maximize chances for a decent bull on NL. But recently Ontario has come into my radar. A guided fly in there seems to be in the same price range, maybe even a little lower, with somewhat better trophy potential. Success rates do seem to be slightly lower, maybe 70% as opposed to 95%. The hunts also seem to frequently maybe 9 or 10 days instead of a week like is standard in NL and the guided options usually are 1 on 1. The ONT hunts also seem to be more of a hunting experience and less of a production line, which is what it seems like from some of the NL posts.

There's also the longer term potential to do some DIY in years following in ONT, at least as they do it there, basically a fly in drop camp cabin on a lake with a boat. The ONT areas for moose are also a good bit shorter drive and no ferry, making logistics a little simpler.

Thoughts from anyone, please.

I am brand new to this (like never been moose hunting before, going this year) but based on responses I received on here and from folks in person - determine what you are looking for and what is most important to you.

If you were going to gamble - what odds would you take? Bet 10k with a 70% chance of hitting, or bet 14k with a 90% chance of hitting. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Ontario or Manitoba for sure. The northwest hunts are just too damned expensive now.

 

[Joseph2186]

I went to Newfoundland moose huntinf semi recently if you want any information on that. I did a fairly indepth write up on here some where . What county you in Im over in indiana

 

[3darcher2]

I went to Newfoundland moose huntinf semi recently if you want any information on that. I did a fairly indepth write up on here some where . What county you in Im over in indiana

I'm just tucked in the far NE corner of Allegheny County, unfortunately. Natrona Heights. Will search for your write-up.

 

[Gpw]

If you looking for something in Ontario or Manitoba go to you tube and look up Canada in the rough. They have done quite a few hunts in all the Canadian provinces.

 

[ChasnDreams]

Big thing to also look at it is if the tag and tax is included in the price. I've fished at a place in Ontario that offers moose hunts, but tag, tax (14%), and food was not included. He wants $6,500 to kill a bull (guided) but after the extras it would put you in the range of $9,000.

Not saying that one is better than the other, as Im going on my first moose hunt this year in Newfoundland. That said, when I was in Ontario ice fishing in 2020 we only cut one moose track while putting on close to 300 miles on snowmobiles between lakes.

 

[Skidooboy]

I live in Michigan but, own a place in Ontario north of Sault Ste Marie, in the Wawa area. Before covid we as land owners could buy non resident tags across the counter for cows, and get into the draws for calves and bulls.

The cost of the hunt was less than 500.00. With shrinking moose populations, and the following tag restrictions it is difficult even for residents to get tags once every 10 years. During covid, the outfitters groups were able to lobby the govt to have all bear and moose hunts outfitter/guided only, no diy hunts.

It went from 500 to hunt moose for me, to 6500-10000 to hunt. I just cant stomach that, even though it would be a bucket list thing. Bears went from 275 to 2000 or more. Again, it just rubs me the wrong way, and I havent done it.

We do a ton of fishing, year round, and can access some fly in lakes in the winter months. I usually tell people not to fly in, unless it is a bucket list or dream. If you take your own boat you can be mobile and be able to switch bodies of water if one or more are not productive. If you hit a bad time (mayfly hatch, huge weather swings), the fishing can be tough but, the fly in people are not going to fly you to another lake.

Good luck in your quest. Ski