If I could go on only one more expensive hunt...it would probably be back to Africa. But if I could go on two....it would be to hunt caribou. It's a BLAST. You gotta try it. The fishing is also fantastic! The country is beautifull to say the least. I hunted in Labrador in 2005 and killed 2 nice bulls fair and square with my habu recurve and a woodsman head. I killed the first from 8 yards. He ran out into a lake and died. The second I shot at around 20 yards. I was hunkered up behind a boulder in a natural funnel when 2 bulls approached just as the sun was highlighting their antlers. I shot the biggest of the two from a kneeling position and watched him go down. I've been going through photos of hunts lately and an having a great time remembering this one. If you have never tried bowhunting Caribou...DO IT! They are one of my favorite animals. Big, Pretty, and made for the bow and arrow! (http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/firstcaribou2005.jpg)[/IMG]
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n132/jonsimoneau/secondcaribou2005.jpg)
Please excuse the big wad of skoal in my mouth in the second pic!
Caribou are cool!!
:thumbsup:
Very cool! Thanks for sharing! :cool:
Genuine message well received. Nice bulls.
Very Nice indeed jon, I was fortunate to be able to go to alaska in 2001. I hope one day I may be able to return. Heck I would be grinning ear to ear without the skoal. :thumbsup:
Very nice very nice.
That's awesome Jon!
I am long time that I dream a Caribu hunt,I would like to go with some TGers.
With a great wife like that with you who would want to be anywhere else,and nice "Bou by the way!LOL
Jon,
Good for you! Caribou bowhunt has my interest as well.
Caribou are great. We went to Quebec in '06. 9 trad hunters took 13 bulls. I was one of the lucky ones with 2. It was an awesome hunt. I would like to do it again, maybe Alaska next time. We were lucky cause the outfitter we used was the one that folded last year and left a lot of hunter high and dry.
One hunt i would love to do....very cool! nice pics, and great story
That was a fun hunt. I was there the week after you!
saw some of the biggest darn bulls ever. Killed a decent one missed another! I want to go back really bad..........
Jon: By chance did you go with 3rivers?
Very nice, thanks for the inspiration.
Jon
I never saw those pics...nice bulls. I assume you moved? I was surprised to get that sat phone call....was that was the same hunt?
R
Dude--sign me up. When we going???
And just so I have this straight; Labrador is NOT the same as Quebec, right. I don't want to have anything to do with Quebec!
Really nice looking bulls Jon :thumbsup:
where and what outfitter ??
out standing....
hey jon nice job! my friend and i plan on hunting caribou sometime within the next two years we are saving up some money for it so it may take a few years! anyway we were looking for some pointers on how and where to start the plans any info or advice from tou or anyone else would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance for any info that can get us started in the right direction. chad
I've been twice.....once in '99 and again in '03. First trip, caribou were scarce but had a fantastic time with great friends. In '03 we hit the migration and I was in awe for the entire trip. Took two bulls, one being very nice! I agree entirely that if it is at all possible, a caribou hunt is one hunt you should try to make. I went to Quebec both trips and there is both a slide show and video footage in the members video section here on the 'gang!
The price has gone up considerably since I went. The cost for a comparable trip now is near what the two trips cost me. Thanks for sharing-Mike
JON
I have always enjoy your hunts and stories, hope there are still more to come in the near future and I wish you the best,
thanks for sharing and great pics!!!!!
What outfitter do you recomend?
One can accomplish almost anything when he or she wants to. Thanks for sharing!
ak.
Jon,
I didn't know you got married. Congrats!!!
COOL...... :clapper:
Jason, he didn't just marry, he married UP! :thumbsup: I met Jon and his fiancee at Kalamazoo last year, but did not realize it until a few days later :banghead:
Anyway, let's hear some more about this caribou hunt...
Hey guys! I was just telling Ryan, that I have really aged in the last few years. I look young in those pics! Anyway, yes this hunt took place in Labrador. (Not the same as the Quebec thing Steve) I was with an outfitter named 3 Rivers. www.trophylabrador.com (http://www.trophylabrador.com) They are primarily a fly fishing outfitter that also offers a great caribou hunt. Everything is first class. I heard about this outfitter through TMB articles written by Don Thomas and Biggie Hoffman. There is a HUGE river system up there and you can cover alot of area by boat. Typically, caribou can be reached this way. However, if there are no caribou in the area, they will fly you to another area to hunt, normally to other camps that friends run. If you have a problem with flying and hunting on the same day, you may want to take that into consideration. Flying and hunting on the same day is legal in Labrador, but I realize that some people have ethical issues with this. I'm not much of a flyfisherman, but I did some flyfishing on this trip and it was outstanding. There were a few guys in camp that were hardcore flyfisherman fishing for trout. Everytime they caught a northern pike they would get frustrated! They shook their head at me when I said "to heck with the trout!" and started fishing for the pike on purpose. BIG northerns. Catching big northerns on a fly rod is a blast! The food was excellent, and the lodging was clean, and very comfortable. I thought it was a well thought out and first class operation all around.
By the way if you go there, take some of that preservative that you inject into velvet antlers, or they will strip the velvet on your bulls. They may have some of that in camp now, but be sure to ask them. They stripped the velvet on my first bull and when I got it mounted, I had to have the artificial velvet put on it. I killed the second bull late enough in the hunt that I was able to leave the velvet on to get the bull home and then had it freeze dried for the mount. The artificial velvet looks good, but the real thing looks even better. If you want to mount your bulls in hard horn, then obviously you don't have to worry about that!
Steve, if you are at K'zoo this year we won't miss you now that we know what you look like!
I have heard alot about the caribou hunting in Quebec, both good and bad. I have never hunted there so I can't really comment on it, but I have never heard of anyone who did not enjoy their hunt with 3 rivers in Labrador. Besides...what else is there to do in August!
I gotta do it. My son and I have talked about going for years now. Thanks for re-kindling the spark.
Here's a pic of the 3rivers camp. The hunt was in '04, my second. In the pic is friend and guide Eldon Jandreau and the two bulls he shot. I had been there before with Biggie and his redneck friends two years prior and we all took two bulls if we wanted. I didn't have a digital camera then so don't have any of those pics to share. 3Rivers has outstanding accomodations and if you go there you will be spoiled. They have electricity which allows them to freeze your game, hot and cold running water, real toilets, washer and dryer, the most food you will ever see (Biggie was really happy with that). As Jon said, the fishing is great. When I went with Eldon we caught so many lake trout we stopped counting. The other nice thing about hunting in Labrador is that you don't have to wear orange and most of the terrain is made to order for spot and stalk.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/Eldoncaribou.jpg)
Here I am with one of my lake trout,
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/Laketrout.jpg)
Nice pix and incentive. A caribou hunt or two is definitely on my bucket list. I better get working on it.
Thanks for sharing Jon and Bill - Great photos, I think I'll have to try it soon but first I'm concentrating on Elk!
Yep, I'm saving up for that one. That's the place Bertalan and those guys went and made the Black Widow videos I think. I know so many people that have been screwed over in Quebec there is no way I am taking a chance there.
Thanks Jon--Bring some more pictures to Kzoo.
three rivers sounds like a good one to check into thanks.
After the trouble last year with Quebec, I would recommend that NO ONE HUNT THERE! If you see outfitters from there at any shows tell them that. Caribou hunting is great and I would like to go again for another species.
Cool! So how much does a hunt like this cost?
Looks like $4500 US plus travel costs. Anyone interested in going???
I was just like you, then I had lids now the money goes to them.Enjoy it it looks like it was a blast!!
Correction on my spelling that was KIDS not lids
Very cool!! You only live 1 time!! Have fun doing it. I'd love to go.. We should try to get a group together and go in the next few yrs.. Would be great to hunt with other Trad Gang members.
well you know it could be done like the guys are doing it in bear quest. Deposit,then make payments over a period of time until the hunt cost is covered. Transportation up to each individual. Jason,you're a banker hint hint :wavey: ;)
Agreed!! Let's get a group together and go!
Great pics Jon
You live your life like i do "Bowhunting"
i was considering a Caribou trip but was a toss up between there or Australia, i went the Australia route, loved it.
still keen to do a Caribou hunt though.
thanks for sharing
Andy, you'd fall in love if you went. I have some great photos on a disc some where. Some super ones of the bulls swimming by us while we were in a canoe. I'll see if I can dig them up and post them here. Everything these guys have said about Robin's operation is spot on . Its not a cheap hunt though, but you do get what you pay for!
Landing and taking off off the small lakes is a blast too. I get the tail seat!!
Just so you know what you are gettting for the money. The year I went up with Eldon Jandreau they had to fly us to where the caribou were. Coming back we had so much weight in the plane we had to made a landing on a lake with a camp in Quebec. The guys in Quebec had to bring their own food, do their own scouting, they had no plane to move them, they had no running water, no heat (at 3Rivers every cabin has a wood stove and when you get back your bed is made!) and they had one camp manager in the camp to help with boats and such. At 3Rivers there is a guide for each two hunter, they carry your lunch (which is made to order from a variety of sandwhich options) and they quarter, cape and carry out your bull. If you shoot your bull early in the week the plane can take your meat back into "town" when they fly out in midweek to get more supplies and have it butchered. It will be waiting for you in a freezer at the airport the day you leave.The guys in Quebec's total cost was only $500 less than what you pay for at 3Rivers. It's really a no brainer. The cabins can be two person (bring your wife) up to 6 person. All have flush toilets, wood stove, hot and cold shower and electricity until 11 PM when they shut off the generator for the cabins. Wish I had digital pics from the first hunt...it was really the best hunt I have been on in my life.
So when we going Jim?
jonsimoneau how was the weather temps. what week wood you recomed. thank you have a great day.
Those are awesome. I,d like to here the story on your avatar buck.
Carl
Frank, overall the temps were pleasant while I was there, but it could vary. 40's through 60's for the highs most of the time I would say.
8-leg hunter, there is a thread called "Catfish hunter before and after" that tells the story of my biggest buck.
Thats a hunt i for sure want to go on some day.
When I went on the first hunt with Biggie and his crew we had an early week and the weather was always pretty mild. I don't remember having to wear gloves, for example. When Eldon and I went it was a late hunt and the day we left the temps got down to freezing later in the day. It rains everyday up there and early on black flies and mosquitos are worse than the weather. I hunted with a few goose fletched arrows in my quiver for the rainy periods. I would also recommend practicing long shots and be comfortable out to 40 yards or so. You can get them close but not always. You may also want to get comfortable with walking shots. Caribou rarely stand still for very long....you won't either. Just be sure to be in decent shape.
This is one of the hunts on the top of my list that i want to go one really bad. Im saving my pennies and hope one day that I will see in person what every is talking about.
Caribou are great, I'm glad I did them when it was still affordable, made the Mtn caribou hunt in 79, shot at 9 yards,Quebec came in 81, shot 25 yards,Barren Ground hunt in 85 in Alaska(DIY) shot 15 yards, Woodland hunt in Newfoundland in 89, shot at 11 yards and Central Barren Ground in NWT in 93, shot at 7yards. The most expensive hunt was the last one and If I remember right it was right around 3k door to door. I couldn't afford to them over and can't beleive they would be any better then the first trips.
Looks like an awesome time!!!!
Caribou are high on the list. :bigsmyl:
thanks for the repile. did you drive there
these are from the canoe on the way to hunt , kinda gets you pumped
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4255929870_4d6307531d.jpg)
from the cabins door
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4255167423_8b677774cc.jpg)
a little one (seriously)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4255166665_89f4887f77.jpg)
I'm on the left , two middle are rifle kills, guy on the right both with a recurve!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/4255165603_3876952826.jpg)
Great pics! This is making me wanna go hunt caribou again!
Thanks for sharing that is a must do hunt for us someday
Nice pics Jim!
The trip BIll was referring to, we mmmmmmissed the migration entirely and still killed all the bulls we wanted. GREAT place to go, Steve-o, if you want to get up a trip, I'd go back.
Thank for sharing,now I can day dream for that far off day it may happen.
Which hunt did you guys take?
Trophy Hunt or the Woods River Hunt
When I went in 2005 the proprietor had not yet come up with the two types, He just flew you out to the animals if there were none on the woods res, After loosing a lot of $$$ by doing that he developed his two offerings. We had to fly a long way north in Quebec to find the animals and we were provided with Quebec tags as well. Robin Reeves is a man of his word. He took us to them when they weren't around. If I were to go again I'd leave my options open thats for sure on the fly outs
:thumbsup:
congrats on the bou :thumbsup:
Man Jon...thats what I want to do!! Get on Caribou and catch Pike on a fly rod. Gonna have to try the Brookies too...I mean...might as well right....I'm already tagged out!! ;)
Thanks for bringing this up. Someday I'll be able to go on a trip somewhere. This sounds perfect. Guess I better take a look at how much it costs though first...
I went to Quebec in '92 with five other bowhunters. No one loosened a shaft. Caribou were scarce. They even moved us to another camp but it was slow there also. Fishing was great. Only place I have ever caught lake trout. Lots of specks. Would love to go again but it is expensive. :jumper:
I have hunted McKay Lake two times for Central Barren Ground Caribou and Caribou are a bowhunters dream come true. One of the best spot and stalk hunts you will ever have. These critters are made to bowhunt.
I assumed the Trophy Hunt was the one which you described at $6000.00! I guess if you were going to spend $4500.00 to hunt Caribou, the extra $1500.00 would be a sort of guarentee and would makes since! If you going, mite as well go all the way! Anyway you look at it, great trip and thank you for the pictures! Damn it is easy to get my blood pumping in January!
Glaccum!!! Good to see you on here!
This hunt is the best one I've been on. Mckay Lake has more bou, but if the guides get drunk you can't get them up the next day 8-( and the language barrier cost us a few opportunities.
Guys, I think the way it works now is this. You can book the regular hunt for $4500. If by chance the caribou are not accessible by boat, then you can add the additional money to be flown to where they are. This area of Labrador is basically where the annual migration begins. If they are there during your hunt you will be able to cover a HUGE amount of territory via the extensive river systems. If they are not there, they WILL fly you to where they are. I have heard alot of outfitters make this claim but do not actually do it. They won't just fly you to another camp unless they KNOW the animals are in that area.
When I went, I flew because I was going by myself but you can drive to the town where the bush plane pics you up. This would be much more affordable if you have a group going. Like Biggie said, it is an amazing hunt run by great people with excellent food, accomodations, etc. I can't wait to do it again.
Last I heard there had never been anyone on this hunt who did not have an opportunity at bull caribou. I don't think too many of the quebec operations can claim that.
Here is a kind of funny story from my hunt up there. In camp there was a very nice Older gentlemen from Idaho. This guy had never killed anything with a bow, but thought a caribou hunt may be a good start. Anyway, he shot a compound. In camp we were shooting at targets and he was a good shot with his compound. After I had killed my 2 bulls I had a few extra days to help him get his. One day we really got into them. I mean TONS of caribou. After he had completely missed two big bulls he confided in me that he was having a difficult time remaining calm when the moment of truth came since he had never actually killed anything with a bow. I had been watching both incidents with binoculars and noticed he was really rushing things...taking shots too early, and not waiting for a high-percentage situation. I offered to go with him on the next stalk to try to help him out. He laughed and said "I was hoping you would say that!" There were bulls swarming everywhere, but we spotted what appeared to be a real monster bedded down. The terrain was perfect and we had the wind so we started the stalk. I told him not to hurry and that we needed to get within 20 yards before he should consider shooting. We got to within 40 yards or so and I could tell my friend was getting really nervous. I reminded him to try and stay calm, but you guys know that this is much easier said than done. I still experience this when hunting unfamiliar species too. It's fun! I told him that I would stay back while he finished the last 20 yards of the stalk. He agreed. I was lying down on the ground and he was crouching right next to me. He stood there for awhile, and I was waiting for him to advance when all of a sudden I saw him drawing his bow! Before I could say anything he launched an arrow and missed the bull by two or 3 feet! The bull stood up, but was not sure what was going on. It was very windy so he could not really hear us. Now the poor guys was a wreck and was shaking and breathing hard. He then proceded to empty nearly arrow out of his quiver, missing the bull by a long shot each time. The bull finally realized what was going on and took off running. Out of desperation the poor guy took a running shot with his last arrow and missed by a mile! I did not say anything. I waited for him to speak. After a minute or so he started laughing so hard I thought the old guy would kick the bucket right there from a heart attack! He looked at me and said "That's not how it was supposed to go was it?" I said "no." He laughed and said, "You wanna do it again?" I said "sure, but this time....." "I know" he said. "Get within 20 yards." I said "yes, and try to calm down. Don't shoot until you know you are ready." Unfortunately for the poor fellow, he just could not keep himself calm. The same thing repeated a couple more times on nice bulls until he finally laughed and said, "You know Jon, I'm not sure if I am really ready to do this...but I'm having a hell of a good time!" He never did get a bull, despite numerous opportunities, but he never complained. I kept in contact with him for awhile after that hunt, but then just kind of lost track. That was a fun couple of days.