Member Newsletter - January 25, 2010

Featured Outfitter – Sou’wester Outfitting Inc.

Hunting in one of the best well kept secrets of Canada. Sou’wester Outfitting Inc. of Newfoundland Canada may be one of the most unique hunting organizations in Canada. Owned and operated by Dean Wheeler and his family, Sou'wester Outfitting is a full-service Newfoundland hunting outfitter that has been providing world class hunts since the early 1990’s. Sou’wester Outfitting operates two remote fly-in Newfoundland hunting camps located at Loon Lake and Decker’s Pond. Both are located in the southwestern part of the island of Newfoundland. Loon Lake flows into Grey River while Decker’s Pond flows into Dolland Brook. The terrain in the immediate vicinity of both lodges offers excellent habitat for moose, caribou, & bear.

All of their hunts are spot and stalk in nature. This spot and stalk method of hunting requires the hunter to hike the countryside while keeping a lookout for the quarry of one's choice. All hunts are demanding with the hunt for moose being the most physically challenging of all.

Newfoundland has long been recognized for its hospitality and the ability to provide its visitors with a cultural experience that is not soon forgotten. Sou'wester Outfitting strives to maintain this tradition and provides its guests with the distinct pleasure of experiencing some of the most enjoyable hunting that Newfoundland has to offer.

A Newfoundland News article wrote:

Griego said he went on a hunting excursion to Africa last year, but his experience in Newfoundland by far outweighed the exotic continent. "This is just so much more amazing," said Griego. He said the guides—Ray Humber, Austin Childs and Brad Wheeler, were "unbelievable—they must be the toughest people in the world." With a chuckle, Griego said they probably would have carried him out if he couldn't walk any further. And the actual camp facility was incredible too, he said. Home cooked meals and good old Newfoundland hospitality were the order of the week. "They choppered in the materials for the cabin," said Griego. "It's a beautiful place. It's amazing they made a facility that nice out in the middle of nowhere."

Excerpts from a great article in Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book, 2nd Edition, entitled; World Record Muzzleloading Woodland Caribou - 299 7/8 -- Loon Lake, Newfoundland

After what seemed like hours of tension, the bull emerged from the timber. He walked directly away from me until he was 140 yards distant--not offering a clean take. At the last moment he quartered a bit, and I took the shot.

In addition, Sou’wester Outfitting’s big game hunters are permitted to hunt for ptarmigan and grouse for no additional fee other than the cost of the license. While Willow Ptarmigan are more numerous than Rock Ptarmigan, both are found in the vicinity of both lodges. Ptarmigan are known throughout Newfoundland as partridge. In addition to the two types of ptarmigan, both areas also have Spruce and Ruffled Grouse, with the Spruce Grouse being the most common.

Sou'wester Outfitting's success rate for non-resident rifle hunters is running over 80%. All Hunts are fly-in only and are for a week duration. Hunting packages include float plane or helicopter access to the lodge, home cooked meals, personal guides on a one-to-one ration and all the in-field handling of the game. So whether it’s for moose, caribou, or black bear, Sou’wester Outfitting provides some of the best fly-in full service hunts available in Newfoundland and in Canada. Rifle, bow and black powder hunters are welcome. See what a couple of MyDreamHunts.com winners had to say about their recent hunts with Sou’wester Outfitting.