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TESTIMONIALS
(Listen to what our clients have to say)
Black Bear Hunting
New Brunswick, Cananda.
"Juniper Lodge is really the only choice for service and quality for your money."
(This article has been published in the Maine Bow Hunters Association newsletter)
By Robert Hawkins
Black Bear hunting in New Brunswick, Canada is exciting to say the least. With all of the vast and accessible timberland and the definite physical size and population difference of the Black Bear as compared to the States this trip was sure to be an exciting one.
We had booked our trip some time in advance with Juniper Lodge in New Brunswick. The lodge owner, Rodney Reed, worked with us for what seemed to be on a daily basis via email and telephone to iron out any details and to answer the 10,000 questions we had posed to him prior to the trip. Two thumbs up for all of his patience.
Rodney Reed brings a wealth of information to the subject of Black Bear hunting from his days as a certified Maine Guide when he and his wife lived back in the states. When the day finally came to leave Paul StJohn, David Turner and myself piled into our vehicles and headed north. Just five and a half hours from the Lakes Region in Maine to the lodge made for an excellent trip as it was short enough to do in half a day and not long enough to warrant a plane flight, and with all of the equipment that we were hauling we would have had to charter a plane. After arrival we all discovered a very important detail of the trip, Rodney’s wife Andrea is an excellent cook. She provided a steady flow of full course meals and hospitality that could not be beat. On day one we were driven out to our individual hunting sites and left to our own to take care of business. The wind was kicking a little bit and after about four and a half hours in the tree we were back at the lodge empty handed but excited none the less since this was only the first day. On day two we headed out to different sites that had seen some heavy bear activity and once again given the high five and left to our own devices to bag a large bruin. I was the first to be picked up by Rodney, “Any luck?” he said, “No, thought I heard, could have been …”. I said. After my barrage of what I thought may have been… could have been… we went over to get Paul out of his stand. Paul had already walked out to the main logging road when we arrived and Rodney hit him with the usual, “Any luck?”, “Yea” Paul said. “Did ya get one?” Rodney responded, “Yea, I got one.” Paul replied. Now let me just cut in here… any of you that know Paul will know that he doesn’t show his excitement all that much, anyway… “Where is it?” Rodney exclaimed. “Back there.” Paul said. “Is it a big one?” “Yup” Paul said. I guess the frustration got to Rodney and I so we got Paul into the truck and headed in as far as we could. Luckily the bear only went 30 yards at best. It was a perfect shot in more ways than one. First of all, the distance that animal ran kept him close to one of the interior logging roads which made it easier for us to pull all 420 pounds of him out of the trees! That bear was a P&Y and on his way to a full body mount. Congratulations to Paul on his excellent shot… Oh, I did leave out one minor detail… apparently when the bear got as close as 15 yards, Paul had neglected to settle down and take aim with his bow, that’s why his first shot at this bear hit the bait bucket and sent him (the bear) running into the woods! But I think as big as that bear was and as long as this past winter had been he wasn’t going to let all those meat scraps just lay there collecting dust. When he came out again, about 20 minutes later, Paul let him have it (See this monster in the pictures section). David Turner was the only rifle hunter in the group and he bagged a nice 200 pounder the following Monday after Paul and I had already left. I still have my tag so I might be heading up there in the fall, we will see. I would like to add that although not everyone went home with a bear we all had a lot of fun trying and enjoying each others success. Also, I think of Rodney and Angela as friends now and look forward towards a return trip to Juniper Lodge for Bear, Dear, fishing or just kicking back. Great job guys!
From Gary & Sue Chamberlain
When we arrived at Juniper Lodge we were greeted with a friendly welcome.
The accommodations were excellent, meals were great, the bear hunting & guide service were excellent and the bears were plentiful. We also brought our 4 wheeler up in August and Rodney and Andrea brought us on a guided 4 wheeling adventure and we enjoyed miles and miles of tremendous scenery & wildlife. For a Hunt, 4 wheeling, Fishing, Snowmobiling, or just to relax and get away from it all. We would recommend Juniper Lodge (Rodney & Andrea) to all. They are a 4 star rating in our book. Great Job!! Gary & Sue Chamberlain.
From Ted & Lee Winters
"Rod and Andrea do it right. Rod and his guides do a fantastic job on their baits, The accomadations are clean and comfortable,and have a wonderful setting. Andrea's cooking is exceptional. Already booked a return trip."
From Gary Mayhew
We drove a couple hundred miles for Southern Maine to Juniper New Brunswick not knowing what to expect for a spring bear hunt as Maine doesn’t have one, but when we arrived the week unfolded into an incredible hunt. The hospitality Rod and Andrea offer is unbeatable, the food and lodging top shelf. The hunt itself was awesome! I saw bear every day, small ones good ones, cautious ones and crazy ones. I took a nice sow with my bow on day 4. This bear came out 3 times and never offered a shot, it was head on every time, the fourth however forced the bear to come around to the bait offering a great broadside shot, and time for my nerves to settle in. I placed a nice 18 yard shot and watched the bear drop 20 yards from me. I was blown away at the white chevron on her chest. I had never seen a bear with one before. The guides were great as well, very attentive to the hunter and making sure you were set up well. I can’t wait to return for another hunt or some of the other packages they offer, sooner than later.
Gary Mayhew
Juniper Lodge is a Dream Fulfilled for this Energetic Maine Couple and a Great New Destination for their Customers
by Barb Somerville
You are dining on fresh Prime Rib, with a crunchy garden salad and garlic mashed potatoes. Your appetizer was a bowl of thick, creamy Seafood Chowder and dessert is a generous slice of classic New York cheesecake, topped with cherry sauce. The coffee is superb. Perhaps your partner has opted for the Seafood Platter, succulent scallops, shrimp and haddock broiled to perfection or sauteed in butter, served with a tasty rice and wild rice side dish and perfectly steamed broccoli with a dollop of cheese sauce.You look up and -- No, you're not in downtown Fredericton, Houlton, or Woodstock. You're gazing out at a peaceful scene of new fallen snow icing evergreen boughs. The Clearwater Brook slides by just outside the window, flowing in and out of its blanket of ice, and there's no one else in sight, besides your own dining companions and the friendly folks who have just prepared and served you this delightful meal. You are, in fact, in the cozy and attractive dining room of the Juniper Lodge, just five minutes from the turn off to Juniper on Route 107, an easy half hour drive from Bristol. The proud new owners of this unique wilderness lodge are Andrea and Rodney Reed, formerly of Durham, Maine, now hosts par extraordinaire. The Reed's serve lunch to all comers from Monday through Friday, 11 until 2 p.m., with a choice of a hearty daily special or the soup/salad/sandwich combination that the diner customizes to his or her own taste. Coffee and tea are just seventy-five cents and the servings are best suited for those who have worked up an appetite working or playing in the great outdoors. Dinner is served each evening and on weekends in the Lodge dining room by reservation only. The Prime Rib and the Seafood Platter are the mainstays of the dinner menu, but other choices are available, like the Surf n' Turf being offered throughout the second full week of February in honour of St. Valentine's Day. Log onto www.juniperlodge.com or give the Reeds a call at 246-5223 or 1-877-646-5223 for more information about this special event, the winter get-away packages, and everything else that Juniper Lodge has to offer. The Reeds describe their current occupation as the proprietors of an established hunting and fishing destination on the headwaters of the famed Miramichi River as a dream come true. In fact, they admit it's something they've always wanted to do. But in the meantime, raising their son and daughter, 23 year old Justin and 20 year old Natasha, has been their priority. While Rodney earned his Maine guide's license, he kept his day job at Bath Iron Works, and Andrea held down a job at the well-know outdoor equipment provider, L. L. Bean. This choice of employment was appropriate, since both Andrea and Rodney have been outdoor enthusiasts throughout their lives. As well as fishing and hunting, the energetic couple have enjoyed white water kayaking, hiking, camping, and many other activities with their children. They had just redecorated their home and Rodney claims they weren't even looking when an ad in Maine Sportsman led them north to check out the lodge for a weekend. It was partly the beauty of the location that attracted the Reeds. "It's such a pretty place," enthuses Andrea. "This area has a lot to offer," adds Rodney. Consisting of 17 acres of woodland, the Juniper Lodge property was sold to Frank and Eileen MacDonald by Ada Flemming, widow of past NB premier Hugh John Flemming, 22 years ago, with the understanding that its pristine nature would be maintained. The MacDonalds built the lodge and cabins, developing an outfitting business that attracted clients from all over Canada and the United States, with hunting privileges on a nearby crown lease now owned by J. D. Irving Ltd. When the Reeds took ownership on July 6, they saw an incredible opportunity to fulfill their dream of owning their own outfitting business. Visitors to Juniper Lodge pass through an incredible, spacious living room on their way to the dining room. Golden log walls are hung with the trophies of many successful hunting expeditions. A huge black bear rug graces one wall, while a large fieldstone fireplace draws the eye right up to the log rafters of the vaulted ceiling. Comfy chairs and couches, draped with warm afghans, conjure images of hunting stories told by the crackling fire. Two cabins adjacent to the main building can accommodate overnight visitors in comfort and style in four separate two-bedroom units. An outside hot tub is available to guests and one deluxe cabin features a queen size bed in one of two bedrooms, well as two singles in the other. Each cabin has kitchen facilities or guests can enjoy their meals at the lodge, making it a great place for those working in the area or a unique year-round vacation destination. In warmer weather, a four unit motel is available as well for overnight stays. At this season, the lodge is perfectly located along Trail 53, part of the NB Trail system used for snowmobiling. The welcome mat is out for sledders, as well as those who want to snowshoe and cross country ski on the trails leading from the lodge. Equipment can be rented and the Reeds are happy to offer their expertise to visitors. Other activities offered by the Reeds include guided hunting -- moose, deer, spring and fall bear hunting, bird hunting, and fishing, both for trout and salmon. Rodney also makes and hunts with a collection of incredible recurve bows that he has lovingly constructed himself. It would be well worth the drive from anywhere in the valley just to see this collection of handcrafted bows. A fly fishing school is in the works, with stocked ponds available for practising. Groups are welcome to come for meals or meetings, workshops or retreats, and Andrea invites ladies to come for quilting, bridal showers, and bachelorette parties, and to enjoy the meditation garden she is planning. Already seniors have targeted the Lodge for spectacular fall foliage tours. And the cuisine offered at Juniper Lodge may well turn out to be the biggest attraction, based on the Reeds' love of cooking and their high standards in using only the freshest, best quality ingredients. Just over one hour's drive from Fredericton or Woodstock, Juniper Lodge is located at 6251 Route 107. Watch for the sign and prepare for a warm welcome.
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