Hunting Retreats: New Brunswick, Canada's Best-Kept Secret

New Brunswick, Canada, is a popular hunting destination, offering a range of hunting retreats. The province boasts a diverse landscape, from rugged mountains and forests in the north to forested lowlands with swamps, lakes, and rivers in the east and central regions. Hunters can pursue a variety of game, including black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, waterfowl, and upland game birds. Hunting in New Brunswick is regulated, with non-residents required to be accompanied by a licensed guide. The province has many certified professional guides and outfitters, providing accommodation, meals, and expertise to ensure a memorable hunting experience.

Hunting lodges in New Brunswick, Canada

New Brunswick, Canada, is a popular destination for hunting trips, with its rugged and scenic natural beauty, magnificent forests, and abundance of wildlife. Hunting lodges in the area offer a range of hunting experiences, from black bear and moose hunts to deer hunting. Here is some more information about some of the hunting lodges in New Brunswick, Canada:

North Country Wilderness Lodge

Located in pristine New Brunswick, Canada, North Country Wilderness Lodge offers hunting trips in Zone 15, which is known for its excellent bear and moose populations. The lodge also offers fishing experiences for smallmouth bass, trout, and pickerel. The owner, Rodney Kelly, is committed to providing a memorable hunting experience for hunters from around the world.

Big Paw Outfitters

Big Paw Outfitters is located in Renous, New Brunswick, Canada, and specialises in black bear and moose hunting experiences. They guarantee hunters an active bait site with a high success rate for harvesting black bears. Their moose hunts are also highly successful, with some of the biggest bulls weighing over 1000 pounds. The lodge is surrounded by breathtaking hunting areas full of wildlife and is also close to some of the best Striped Bass fishing in Canada.

Salmon River Bend Outfitters

Salmon River Bend Outfitters provides black bear, moose, and whitetail deer hunting experiences in New Brunswick. They have over 100 bait sites and offer comfortable log cabin accommodations that sleep four, with full facilities, patio decks, and home-cooked meals. The outfitters are highly experienced, ensuring a successful and enjoyable hunting trip for their clients.

Oak Mountain Lodge Outfitters

Oak Mountain Lodge Outfitters in New Brunswick, Canada, specialises in guided hunts for black bear, moose, and white-tail deer, with over 45 years of experience in the region. They offer 5-day big game hunting packages with a high success rate over active baited stands.

Other Lodges

Other hunting and fishing lodges in New Brunswick include Tobique Valley Outfitters, Absolute Outfitters, Black Spruce Lodge, Country Haven Lodge, Miramichi Harris Bar Fishing Lodge, and Pond's Resort. These lodges offer a range of hunting and fishing experiences, including bear, deer, duck, goose, and salmon fishing trips.

Hunting guides and regulations

Hunting in New Brunswick, Canada, offers a range of game, from trophy white-tailed deer to black bears, moose, waterfowl, upland game, and even wild turkey. The province is known for its rugged and scenic natural beauty, with a mix of mountainous and forested landscapes in the north, and forested lowlands, swamps, lakes, and rivers in the east and central regions.

Hunting Guides

New Brunswick has many certified professional hunting guides, outfitters, and lodges. Non-residents must be accompanied by a guide, and there are additional requirements for non-resident hunters, including the need to use a licensed guide for moose hunting.

Hunting guides in New Brunswick offer a range of services, including providing accommodation, meals, transportation, and expertise in the field. Some guides also offer fishing trips in addition to hunting excursions. It is recommended to verify the services included in your hunting package.

Hunting Regulations

Hunting in New Brunswick is regulated by the provincial government, and there are specific regulations for migratory birds, big game, and small game. Here is a summary of some key regulations:

• Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit: To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must possess a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit with a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp. This permit can be purchased and printed online.
• Restricted Use of Bait: The use of bait before and during the migratory bird hunting season is restricted. Consult the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, for specific restrictions.
• Youth Hunting Permit: Hunters under 18 years old can obtain a Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) permit free of charge. This allows them to hunt under the supervision of an adult mentor.
• Non-Resident Requirements: Non-residents have specific licence requirements for hunting in New Brunswick, including licences for bear, moose, deer, and game birds.
• Firearm Restrictions: There may be restrictions on discharging firearms in certain areas, and additional licence requirements for carrying firearms while hunting.
• Wildlife Management Zones: New Brunswick has designated wildlife management zones with specific regulations and restrictions for hunting in those areas.
• Draw-Based Hunts: Most hunts in New Brunswick are conducted on a draw basis. Hunters can apply for licences and draws through the Fish & Wildlife Licensing system.

Black bear hunting

Black bear hunts in New Brunswick typically take place in the spring and fall, with hunters having the option to use firearms, bows, or crossbows. The bears are usually hunted over bait, with outfitters setting up multiple bait stations to attract the bears. The average weight of black bears in the region is between 170 and 250 pounds, but some can reach up to 600 pounds.

There are several hunting lodges and outfitters in New Brunswick that cater specifically to black bear hunters, offering packages that include accommodation, meals, and the services of experienced guides. These lodges are often located in scenic areas, providing hunters with a memorable experience in the province's sprawling forests, secluded marshes, and coastal woods.

• Nictau Lodge: Located in the Nictau area, this lodge offers all-inclusive guided hunts with experienced staff. They cater to both firearm and bow hunters and provide additional fishing opportunities.
• Dead Bear Walking Outfitters: A small, family-operated business located in Harvey Station, offering week-long guided hunts for small groups.
• Big Paw Outfitters: Based in Renous, this outfitter provides black bear and moose hunting experiences with access to active bait sites and comfortable accommodations.
• Bear Paw Outfitters: Specialising in black bear hunts, this outfitter limits the number of clients per week to provide a personalised experience. They also offer harpoon or spear hunts and cater to bowhunters.
• Stony Brook Outfitters: With lodges in Maine and New Brunswick, they offer spring bear hunts over bait and provide pre-baited black bear bait sites.
• Salmon River Bend Outfitters: This outfitter offers black bear, whitetail deer, and moose hunts with experienced guides. They have over 100 bait sites and provide comfortable accommodations and home-style meals.
• Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures: They offer spring and fall black bear hunts in some of the most productive and uncrowded zones in New Brunswick. They cater to both bow and gun hunters.

When planning a black bear hunting trip to New Brunswick, it is important to be aware of the hunting regulations and licensing requirements. Non-residents must be accompanied by a guide, and there are specific seasons and permits for hunting black bears.

Moose hunting

Non-residents must be accompanied by a licensed guide and can apply for a moose license through a random draw system. The cost of a non-resident license is around $630 Canadian, and success rates for non-resident hunters are as high as 80%.

There are several outfitters in New Brunswick that offer guided moose hunts, with packages including accommodation, meals, transportation, and the services of an experienced guide. Some popular options include Taxis River Outfitters, Salmon River Bend Outfitters, and Dead Bear Walking Outfitters. The cost of these packages can range from $3800 to $6495 per person, not including the license fee.

Bird hunting

New Brunswick, Canada, is a popular destination for bird hunting. The province is home to a diverse range of bird species, including waterfowl, upland game, and migratory birds.

Bird Species

New Brunswick's bird species include the ruffed grouse, woodcock, wild turkey, American coot, common loon, bald eagle, and many more. The Atlantic Flyway passes through the province, contributing to the variety of bird species that breed or migrate through the area.

The province offers a range of locations for bird hunting, including the Miramichi River Valley, known for its excellent woodcock and grouse hunting. The Tobique River Valley is also renowned for its plentiful grouse population.

Several outfitters in New Brunswick offer bird hunting packages. For example, North View Hunting & Fishing Lodge offers a 5-day bird hunting package starting at $1,600. This package includes a guide, meals, and accommodation. Other outfitters, such as Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures and Hunt N It Outfitters, also provide bird hunting experiences.

When planning a bird hunting trip to New Brunswick, it is essential to follow the hunting regulations and respect the natural environment. Here are some additional tips to consider:

• Employ the use of blinds and decoys to attract birds and increase the chances of a successful hunt.
• Study the behaviour and habits of the bird species you are targeting to improve your chances of finding them.
• Practice proper bird handling techniques to minimise the risk of disease transmission, such as Avian Influenza.
• Consider the terrain and landscape of your hunting location, as New Brunswick offers a range of ecosystems, from forests to coastal areas.

Frequently asked questions