Caribou Hunting:
Caribou which are native to Newfoundland and Labrador have striven on the overwhelming abundance of barren terrain. The woodland caribou, with its southern most range in the province have herds scattered North, South, East and West.

Woodland caribou can be found at roadside in fairly large herds throughout the province. The magnificent caribou is one Canada's most popular northern big game species but in few places are they so fearless of humans.

The barrenground caribou of Labrador are part of the worlds largest herd, "The George River Caribou herd".The barren land of Labrador with its abundance of shrubs and lichens makes an incredible stopover for the migrating herds of Canada's north. With the change of seasons these caribou continuously roam north and south from breeding grounds to feeding grounds. Labrador is non-mistakably one of the best areas in the world to hunt barrenground caribou. To find out about caribou hunting in other areas of Canada and Alaska (click here)

Caribou Hunting Facts:

• The scentific name for woodland caribou is "Rangifer tarandus caribou"
• Caribou are called reindeer in Europe.
• Newfoundland host the southern most range of woodland caribou.
• Caribou hunting is not a sport but a way of life for many natives of Canada's north.
• Hunting caribou usually involves walking over large areas of open country.
• Caribou has the largest antlers of all the world's big game animals in proportion to body size.
• Success rates for caribou hunting are generally in the high 90's.
• The population estimates for woodland caribou in Newfoundland is between 80,000 and 120.000 animals. In Labrador, the George River Herd is esimated at 750,000 barren ground caribou.
• Non-Resident hunting licences are available only through a professional licenced hunting outfitter.The average number of caribou licences per hunting lodge in Newfoundland is about 20. In Labrador, outfiiters could have hundreds of licences. Most hunting outfitters sell licences on a first come, first serve basis. Non-Resident caribou hunters can only hunt with a professional licenced guide. Non-Guided hunts are not legal in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• There are many "boone and crockett" and "pope and young" caribou are taken annually in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• A minimum of a 243 caliber rifle is required for caribou hunting in Newfoundland, but a minimum of 270 caliber is recomended.
• Caribou are often spotted in open country, anytime throughout the day.
• It is important to shoot for the vital areas of a caribou since they are big animals and dont always fall on the first shot.
• The majority of non-resident caribou hunters that hunt in Newfoundland each year are from the eastern seaboard of the united states.
• Caribou hunting guides are often required to pack the meat back to the hunting lodge.
• Most caribou hunting guides in Newfoundland and Labrador are caribou hunters themselves.
• There are no game ranches for caribou in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Many Newfoundland caribou hunting outfitters attend sports shows in the united states annually.
• It is illegal to hunt any big game in Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday.
• It is reccommended that caribou hunters wear blaze orange while hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• It is illegal to hunt any big game more than 30 minutes before sunrise and more than 30 minutes after sunset.
• Caribou hunting lodges are generally located in remote fly-in areas but some outfitters do offer roadside hunts.