When hunting season rolls around, think about heading up North for the challenges of Newfoundland.These days, it can be difficult to find those unspoiled places to hunt where everything comes down to an honest confrontation between you and your prey.

Newfoundland, Canada is, however, one of those rare hunting destinations where you truly have to rely on your skills as a hunter to come home with a trophy. With the black powder and rifle season beginning in mid-September, Newfoundland offers some of the best big game hunting opportunities in the world; bow hunters get to start two weeks earlier. Because Newfoundland has a temperamental and changeable climate during hunting season, it's hard to tell exactly what kind of challenges the weather will throw at you. Make sure to pack for cold, wet weather as well as unseasonably warm temperatures. As for the wildlife, Newfoundland definitely puts the "big" in the term big game:

Black Bear

Bears typically are formidable prey, but the North American Black Bear, which has tipped the scale at close to 500 pounds, is an especially challenging target. Newfoundland offers both baited and non-baited Black Bear hunting.

Bull Moose

With large antlers and a weight of approximately 1,500 pounds, a mature Bull Moose is quite a trophy and can be brought down with a bow, muzzleloader or rifle.

Caribou

To stalk these 500 pound beauties, you also can use bows, muzzleloaders and rifles and hopefully come home with an impressive trophy.

On the average, a hunter in Newfoundland has approximately a 70-75% chance of bringing down their prey, with some regions offering a better shot than others. For something a little bit different, also try hunting the Willow Ptarmigan, a local bird that can be found in abundant quantities during the big game hunting season.

Among hunters in Newfoundland, the concept of "fair chase" hunting is fairly widespread; it is perhaps the most honest and honorable way to spot and stalk prey in the wilderness. Instead of using high tech gadgets to get off a shot from a long distance, fair chase means relying on your own skill to move in closer for the kill.

Hunting lodges are quite plentiful in Newfoundland, with all-inclusive packages that offer "fly-in" hunts, accommodations, meals, guides and preparation of meat and trophies. Depending on what kind of game you have your heart set on, packages range in price between $2,000 and $5,000. Lodgings tend to be clean, comfortable and contain everything you need for a great hunting getaway.

One of the best ways to reach Newfoundland is by plane and the recommended carrier is Air Canada. Since you will be traveling outside the United States, a current passport is needed to enter Canada. You can bring your weapons into the country as long as you declare them to the proper authorities at Canadian Customs.

With some of the biggest game available in North America combined with an unspoiled wilderness, Newfoundland could easily become your new favorite hunting spot.

Resources:
http://www.pineridge.nf.ca/general.htm
http://www.newfoundlandhunting.com/hunting_information.html http://www.biggamecanada.com/travel_info.html