Training for Newfoundland Moose Hunt

[NLBowhunt709]

I’m from here but haven’t hunted yet, hoping to get out this fall. The bogs around can get a bit mucky and as others have said the muscles will get going trying to get out of the sticky stuff. Any leg workouts would make a huge difference!

 

[GeorgeShaw]

if headed out east to the island, start drinking heavily now so you can keep up with some of the locals, although that might not be the training you were talking about

I've got that part covered

 

[GeorgeShaw]

I hunted in Newfoundland this fall. I took Lacrosse AlphaBurly boots and Kenetrek Mtn Extremes with gaiters. I wore the Kenetreks every day and was very happy to have the support and comfort.

Develop a good base level of aerobic fitness and you'll be fine - lunges, step-ups, and treadmill time at 12%.

We had some climbs of 600-900'+ from the lake in the morning, but much of it was a more rolling landscape with intermittent steep hills. Avoid walking through bogs or puddles - step where your guide steps or on light colored grass. Walking through the tuckamore can be really difficult, but we generally used existing game trails, which were much easier than bushwhacking. If you get winded, take a break, then get back to it.

did you initially bring the Kenetrek as camp shoes, or did you bring a third pair for that? I don't know what camp terrain will be, but planned on maybe a lower hiking boot too.

 

[duckcarver]

I took a pair of crocs as camp shoes.


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[Boston1]

If you have a sand pile nearby, walking up and down the sand dunes with a pack will work. Otherwise, a stair master with a weighted back pack is enough. Listen to your guide- I've been twice and going back for more the next few years. The Alpha Burly pro knee high boots are my go to. I've been on a 9-10 mile march across the bog and they were perfect. A few times I failed to stay in my guide's foot steps and wound up hip deep in the muck. Take extra insoles in case you need to dry them out. Depending on the region, you could get away with leather but I'm sold on the knee high rubber.

 

[noKnees]

Talk to your outfitter, or a couple of clients from his reference list. find out what the hunt will be like. Some hunts are road based with ATV's or Argo's some from a boat and some all backcountry where its all walking

All my hunts have been fly in so a good bit of walking, as folks have mentioned footing in NFLD can suck, and there can be hills of a decent size. but unlike Colorado there is plenty of air

I am 59 5'8 and a little heavy. I typically try to do some excersize either walking 2-5 miles outside or 45 minutes on the tread mill every day ( at least as much as possible) for the 3-4 months before I am going. hills on the trail, 9-12% incline on the treadmill or stairs are good. The last month or so I do my walking in my rubber boots, pack and bino harness.

In general I have despite being 59 and being 190ish, I can keep up with all the Newfie guides I have had.

I don't think you need to be an athlete for the kind of NFLD hunts I do but over the years I have seen some folks in camp that either suffered or didn't connect with a moose/caribou because they were physically up to it so some level of conditioning is helpful.