Effords Hunting Adventures

[birdman22]

fly in, non trophy

 

[traumaninja]

I also did a fly in non trophy with 2 other buddies. We went 0 for 3 as well. We were put into an over hunted cabin and were told by the exiting guest to move because there were no moose here. The previous guest said they saw nothing. They hunted hard for 6 days and no moose. We had to hunt the best 2 weather days there and saw nothing. We were moved to tents and had to sleep in the cold and snow. Still saw nothing. Effords said they would make us a deal if we return. I hate to pay over 9k for no moose. I feel like I had the same opportunity in Ohio. We are going to rebook a hunt. Stay tuned to see what Effords is willing to do.

 

[Quandary]

That's unfortunate. I have hunted with Efford's twice, fly non-trophy '21 and fly trophy '23. Killed nice moose both hunts, as did everyone else in camp both years. Sorry to hear about your experience.

 

[traumaninja]

That's unfortunate. I have hunted with Efford's twice, fly non-trophy '21 and fly trophy '23. Killed nice moose both hunts, as did everyone else in camp both years. Sorry to hear about your experience.

me too. I am still trying to accept it. I am not a rich hunter.

 

[Sako76]

me too. I am still trying to accept it. I am not a rich hunter.

One of our guys saved for two years to go on “this dream moose hunt” and we got screwed. Effort's could care less! He did offer us $500 off a fly-in hunt, I wouldn’t go with him again if the hunt was free!

 

[birdman22]

The hunting was very disappointing, we didn't see many moose and nothing close. it certainly felt like it was hunted out. Not saying it was a once in a lifetime hunt but it was a huge financial and time commitment. Hard to wrap your head around coming home without even an opportunity.

 

[Wallace]

Been there done that with another fly in outfitter in NF. I'm 2 for 3 on moose in NF, I killed decent moose both times with a drive in outfitter (2.5 hours down a nasty road to get to camp), never even saw a bull with the fly in outfitter (just a cow and calf) and only 1 person in camp killed. Headed back with the drive in outfitter in 2027.

 

[Quandary]

I am sure this will make some unhappy but it is hunting, not harvesting. When I have gone each time, twice, everyone going out shot a moose and everyone I saw coming back shot a moose. Talking with people in the hotels who had different outfitters this was not the case.

In New Foundland essentially the entire interior is public land anybody can go and hunt it, if you can get there. The way the concessions work for outfitters in Newfoundland for hunting the public land is reasonably straight forward. For each camp an outfitter has (is licensed for) they have exclusive rights to a 3 mile radius around that camp. They are allotted a certain number of tags per camp. Efford's has a fairly large number of camps, all hunting different areas. They have "meat camps" and "trophy camps". The meat camps will be booked to the extent of the tags they have for that camp. Basically you see a legal bull you shoot it, you are not looking for a trophy. The meat camps are a more upscale camp. The trophy camps are different. The trophy camps are run for 2 weeks, 2 hunters with 2 guides per week. After the 2 weeks the camp is shut down. So no more than 4 bulls per season out of the trophy camps. Of course the cost is a fair bit higher.

Meat camp;





Trophy camp;





It is unfortunate the experience that you had this year with Effords. However they have been doing this a long time and they are good at it with good concessions and based on my experiences great guides. But it is fair chase hunting and some times it doesn't work out.

 

[wyosteve]

Just from reading this thread, if it's correct the outfitter knew numbers were down, I would have thought they'd convey that and offer another year opportunity, or at least give the client some options. Just my .02.

 

[Robinhood21]

Not trying to ruffle feathers, just genuinely curious more than anything. What is the attraction of hunting moose in New Foundland? From what I've seen, pricing doesn't seem that far off from Alaska (if doing non guided) & seems most are in the 30-40" range. Logistically, it seems like more of a hassle also.

 

[traumaninja]

Not trying to ruffle feathers, just genuinely curious more than anything. What is the attraction of hunting moose in New Foundland? From what I've seen, pricing doesn't seem that far off from Alaska (if doing non guided) & seems most are in the 30-40" range. Logistically, it seems like more of a hassle also.

paid 10k for the hunt. It included a guide. meals, lodging and transport. Alaska is a dream hunt but require lots more logistics and that is more $$. An Alaskan Moose hunt is 28K.

 

[Robinhood21]

paid 10k for the hunt. It included a guide. meals, lodging and transport. Alaska is a dream hunt but require lots more logistics and that is more $$. An Alaskan Moose hunt is 28K.

Don't hire a guide, do it DIY.

 

[bill_eb]

I hunted this year also with Efford's remote fly-in camp and had no shot opportunity. No bulls, Cows we saw had no calves - No bulls to breed them. Complained to Lucas Efford and he says that camp always had good success. Success in previous year was too good - All the bulls were killed (and Effords knew this) - But they sent hunters to the camp this year anyways. 20% success rate at a camp and weather was good - Not the hunters faults and no I do not but the phrase "It's Hunting" when the shot opportunities are that low - It is just taking advantage of people and not delivering the service you promised.

 

[Brooke]

I hunted this year also with Efford's remote fly-in camp and had no shot opportunity. No bulls, Cows we saw had no calves - No bulls to breed them. Complained to Lucas Efford and he says that camp always had good success. Success in previous year was too good - All the bulls were killed (and Effords knew this) - But they sent hunters to the camp this year anyways. 20% success rate at a camp and weather was good - Not the hunters faults and no I do not but the phrase "It's Hunting" when the shot opportunities are that low - It is just taking advantage of people and not delivering the service you promised.

What camp did they put you at?