1-709-572-9146"Our aim is to provide incredible experiences for everyone who stays with us, to help build our industry, local economies, and communities, and to protect the wonderful natural resources we are privileged to have in this province."
Ryan & Jackie
Newfoundland Backcountry Hunts
At Victoria Outfitters and Lodge, we specialize in hunting these big bruins. The dense Newfoundland wilderness is prime habitat for black bears and our unique baiting, spot-and-stalk, and calling techniques have proven to be very successful. Black bears are spotted at our lodge each year in excess of 400+ pounds. Although two bears are legal per license, we limit hunters to one bear per tag to ensure conservation of this magnificent species. We offer spring baited and spot-and-stalk hunting in combination with landlocked salmon and brook trout fishing. In the fall, we offer baited and spot-and-stalk hunts, which can be combined with moose hunting.
2024 Season Dates
Spring: May 28 – June 18
Fall: September 15 – October 26
The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is native to the island of Newfoundland. Adult boars (male) bears average 90-136kg (200-300 pounds) while sows (female) bears are much smaller averaging 50-80kg (110-180 pounds), although Newfoundland black bears are predisposed to being much larger on average than their North American relatives. Studies done by the Department of Tourism indicate that, in Newfoundland, male black bears are 37% larger and female bears 55% larger on average than bears in the rest of North America. Wildlife officials recently captured and released a male black bear weighing 687 pounds, while black bears are taken annually in the province in excess of 600+ pounds. A black bear’s appearance is bulky with a moderate-sized head, tapered brownish muzzle, long nostrils, rounded ears, small eyes and a short tail. Their coat is usually black, sometimes with a white v-patch on the throat or chest. Their feet have five curved, non-retractable claws used for digging and tearing out stumps and roots.
Black bears are solitary animals found throughout the province, although rarely occurring on the Avalon Peninsula. They prefer habitat that consists of heavily wooded valleys with dense brush and mixed vegetation, but frequent more open terrain and clear cuts in the fall in search of berries. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular) but can be seen any time during the day scavenging for food. Their diet consists of a variety of plants and animals including leaves, grass, berries, insects, fish, birds, small mammals, and even moose and caribou calves.
"Our aim is to provide incredible experiences for everyone who stays with us, to help build our industry, local economies, and communities, and to protect the wonderful natural resources we are privileged to have in this province."
Ryan & Jackie