Hunting and fishing guides in Newfoundland and Labrador

What hunting and fishing look like there

The island of Newfoundland is a mix of boreal forest, bogs and open barrens, with a long, rocky coastline. Moose are abundant, and a moose hunt is the trip most visiting hunters come for. Black bear is also hunted, and ptarmigan, grouse and snowshoe hare draw small-game hunters to the barrens and woods.

Labrador is much more remote: tundra, spruce forest and huge lakes and rivers, reached mostly by air. Caribou herds there have declined sharply, and caribou hunting is closed or heavily restricted in much of the region. Guides offer it only where and when it is legal.

For anglers, the island's rivers are famous for Atlantic salmon on the fly, and brook trout is found almost everywhere. In Labrador, fly-in camps target big brook trout, Arctic char, lake trout and northern pike in water that sees few anglers.

How outfitters work there

Outfitters in Newfoundland and Labrador are licensed by the province, and many hold the licences that let them host non-resident hunters. Non-residents generally must hunt big game with a licensed outfitter and guide, and non-residents fishing scheduled salmon rivers generally need a licensed guide as well. Check the current rules for your situation.

A typical moose hunt is based at a lodge or remote cabin, with a guide for one or two hunters, and often includes help with field dressing and getting the meat out.

Access: road, boat, quad or floatplane

On the island, many camps are reached by road, sometimes followed by a boat ride or a quad trip on a trail. Some are only reachable by floatplane or helicopter.

In Labrador, almost every fishing and hunting camp is fly-in. Ask how you will get there, how much luggage the plane takes, and what happens if fog or wind delays a flight, which is common near the coast.

What to check before booking

Newfoundland and Labrador sells its own licences, and big game licences for non-residents are usually obtained through an outfitter. Salmon rivers have their own rules, including classes of rivers and catch-and-release conditions.

• Read the province's current hunting and fishing regulations for the area you will visit
• Confirm the outfitter holds a licence for your species and area
• Ask how meat and trophies are shipped home, especially by air
• Pack rain gear and layers: weather changes fast on the coast

Finding a guide there with GuideHunter

In GuideHunter, zoom the map on Newfoundland and Labrador and filter by hunting or fishing, then choose a species such as moose, Atlantic salmon or Arctic char. Each pin shows a guide's offers: what is included, the region and a price per person from, or on request.

Frequently asked questions