theoutdoorsguy

February 4, 2013

Ontario non-native hunters face troubling times

If the recent land claim with Algonquin’s of Ontario goes through, a large parcel of eastern Ontario will be handed over to the aboriginal community.

In a nutshell, the deal would see the transfer of 117,000 acres of Ontario Crown land to 10 different Algonquin communities. Although no private property is said to be expropriated, there is also a cash component to the deal of $300 million.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that any non-native hunting (or trapping) camps located within these 117, 000 acres would be adversely affected. Anyone who currently hunts in this region can expect there to be issues and concerns, although what they might be has yet to be determined.

The aboriginal land claim dispute has been a hotbed issue for many years, and now that this pustule pimple has finally come to a head, non-native hunters are fearing the worst.

Without even knowing all the details, it is a fair assumption to say that sparks are about to fly. I am sure glad that my hunt camp isn’t located in the area in question.

Stay tuned for a lot more on this issue…

Outdoorsguy

January 22, 2013

Meet Bionic Bunny a wonder of Nature

(Here is an image of Bionic Bunny ‘Pre-metamorphosis’ when he was just your average cottontail rabbit – see lower right-hand side of photo)

Ah, the Great Outdoors is forever filled with wonder and mystery and every once and awhile you stumbled across something special; that rare animal with a unique gift or attribute. In this case it is the story of how an average run-of-the-mill rabbit transformed into a ‘super bunny’ with superior bionic strength and stealth.

I should preface this story by explaining why bunnies are hanging around my deer feeder in the first place. Each morning when I inspect my deer trough and clean-off the top layer of snow or ice, a small amount of feed would spread out across the snow. The cottontails got into the habit of feeding on these small bits of feed and pellet.

Then last week when was away on holidays there was no feed scraps being spread about the snow, and one smart little bunny devised a plan to deal with the sudden lack of food.

Sure, we all know rabbits can jump as we see them hopping here and hopping there, but what would give a lowly cottontail rabbit the foresight to jump up into a feed trough to find food?

I surmised that this litle rabbit must be very special indeed. He MUST be Bionic that was the only explanation, and in the trail-cam series below you’ll not only witness this gifted animal’s thought process unfolding, you’ll observe its’ magical transformation from average Joe cottontail rabbit into – BIONIC BUNNY!

(In this image you can almost see the thought process unfold – “Man, if only I could get into that trough all the food would be mine”. He tries to climb the frame of the feeder but to no avail)

(Then Mr. Bunny moves to the other side to cop a squat and ponder his options…)

(Sitting back on his haunches to the left of the feeder, you can almost see his little rabbit brain at work!)

(He ponders a bit more then something strange occurs; an actual metamorphosis begins – all right there to be captured on trailcam!)

(With the intestinal fortitude of a thousand rabbits, Bionic Bunny lunges upward at a lightly fast speed!)

(Flying through the air in this image, you can almost see a tiny little superhero’s cape blowing behind him)

(And with his master plan now come to fruition, Bionic Bunny settles-inside the feed trough for the meal of a lifetime. This clever little critter is no longer just your average cottontail. Bionic Bunny has gone where no bunny has gone before – jumping nearly 3 vertical feet into the unknown in search of food.)

OK folks, I realize the entire tale is hard to believe had I not captured it all on trail-camera. Oh yes, and I have seen Bionic Bunny since then out in the back field. He walks a little taller than the rest of the rabbits; armed with the knowledge that at any moment he may transform again into Bionic Bunny should the need arise.

Yep, and just when I thought I had seen it all in the Great Outdoors…

Outdoorsguy

January 20, 2013

Rare wildlife sighting for Ottawa

I was surprised to find these rare images on my ‘back field’ trailcam after checking it this weekend.

This little guy passed through on New Year’s Eve just a couple of hours before the arrival of 2013!

Of the over 500, 000 trailcam images I have taken since moving to Ottawa 14 years ago, I have never captured an image of this particular animal. In the forests north of town they are certainly more common, but within City Limits I would say they are a rare sight indeed.

With most of the deer gone from around my property for the winter, this little guy is a sight for sore eyes.

Soooo, can you guess what fur bearing animal this is?? Here is a close-up shot:

Outdoorsguy

January 18, 2013

Moose on loose Bank/Conroy area

Anyone out travelling in the Bank/Conroy area please be on the lookout for a wayward moose(Much like the one above) spotting early this morning!

As most of you know, the Canada moose is one imposing animal and during the winter as they seek refuge, these animals are no less dangerous. Plus that, we all know the dangers of these large animals as they move closer to urban areas.

It can become as unsafe for the animal as it is for us.

Thanks to my buddy ‘Don’ for the heads-up on this one..as he notes, there are some obvious concerns with large mammals :

“Not sure how they (moose) would react to someone out walking a dog, and the dog pisses it off… not to mention that they use roads to travel when snow gets heavy, so they could pose a real threat to drivers”

On the plus side, the drop in snow depth over the past week will be met with great appreciation, I’m sure, by our local ungulate populations. I bet snow has dropped 12″ at least in my area and there’s even a decent crust.

Be careful out there folks and keep an eye out for critters!

Outdoorsguy

January 8, 2013

Happy New Year from Safari Club International

Thanks to Bob Valcov(above) – Director of Safari Club International (SCI) Canada for the great letter he sent, on behalf of all hunters across the country!

Cheers Bob and keep up the great work!

January 7, 2013

Hug a Hunter

To Jeff Morrison – Outdoors Guy

As we go forward into this new year, it is time to recognize and show appreciation for everything Canadian hunters do to promote wildlife conservation across our great country. It is time to hug a hunter. I borrow the term from an ad campaign in Colorado.

Hunters have been and continue to be willing to pay the price in terms of volunteer time and in hard cash to protect wildlife and its habitat while others either pay lots of politically-correct lip service or, even worse, simply take the outdoors for granted.

Hunters do more for conservation than any other group. In fact, hunter-founded conservation organizations are principally responsible for bringing back North American wildlife that was almost extinct a century ago. Modern hunters in North America have never caused a wildlife species to become extinct, endangered, or even threatened. The truth is, every game species that is hunted has increased in number. Hunters most probably saved deer, elk, bear and waterfowl from extinction.

Payments for hunting and fishing licenses are the main method of financing the management and protection of wildlife and their habitats. Hunting and fishing are essential tools in wildlife management to maintain healthy and diverse populations of wildlife. Hunting and fishing develop a sense of personal accountability for Canada’s natural resources within individuals.

Hunter-based conservation organizations contribute millions to conservation projects. Last year, SCI Foundation alone granted $400,000 to North American wildlife projects; more than $4 million over the last ten years. One of these worthy projects, for example, is the Newfoundland Caribou Strategy. Over five years, the SCI Foundation has granted $250,000 to investigate the decline of woodland caribou in Newfoundland & Labrador; in other words, to establish the sound scientific evidence upon which intelligent future management decisions can be based.

It would be a serious mistake to discount the huge contribution made by Canadian hunters to the conservation of our wildlife and its habitat. So give a hunter a hug and thank them for their support of nature.

Sincerely,

Bob Valcov.

Director: Safari Club International-Canada.

Suite 200, 440 Laurier Ave. W./Ave. Laurier O.,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1R 7X6; Tel: 613-683-LYNX (5969); www.SCI-Canada.ca

December 27, 2012

Canadian Hunting Shows Christmas to remember

(Beasley bros with good reason to smile)

It will be a Christmas to remember this year for at least three Canadian Hunting Shows!

The Canadian Tradition, Canada in the Rough and Angler & Hunter Television have all found new homes for the 2013 broadcast season.

Thanks to Bob Valcov of Safari Club International (SCI) and Mike Pollington of Pollington Productions (producer of The Canadian Tradition) for sharing with me the best Christmas news imaginable.

It seems even the Grinch himself (AKA Global Television) couldn’t stop Christmas from coming this year. Rogers -owned Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and SUN TV are among the Networks stepping- up to the plate this coming year, and God Bless them I say!

“When Global announced their unfortunate decision we recognized that this was going to change the game in Canada.” said Kevin Beasley, Co-Host of Canada in the Rough.

Some excellent coverage coming-up for Canada in the Rough specifically as it will now be found on The Sportsman Channel in the United States and on the following networks in Canada: OLN (Outdoor Life Network), Sun News, WildTV, CHEX, Ch12 Durham, CKWS, and for the first time ever, Canada in the Rough will be translated into French and aired on RDS (owned by Bell Media) for the francophone viewers.

Let me be the first to congratulate all those Network execs who made the personal decision to air these shows for 2013. I call this a major win for the good guys and a real step in the right direction!

No word yet on the remaining 2 hunting shows affected by the cancellation, but I have my fingers crossed!

Outdoorsguy

December 12, 2012

White-tailed Deer shoulder check

Top level predators like coyotes and wolves are considered some of the greatest hunters in the world. Cunning, stealth and the ability to stalk prey are all characteristics shared by the Canis genus.

In our region, the ever ubiquitous eastern coyote or ‘brush wolf’ as some call them, have adapted nicely to living off the fat of the land. Small mammals, scavenging and white-tail deer compose much of their diet. Whether hunting solitary or in packs, where there are deer, the eastern coyote will not be far behind.

Sometimes even closer than you (& the deer) realize!

In the above photo, you can see a doe walking in the tall grass behind my deer feeder. I have two does hanging around the back these days – one a yearling the other one an older female.

Here in this pic you can see the other doe approaching the feeder (from the right) while the first deer strolls across in the background.

A minute later, the two does can be seen facing each other in a stance which appears to do with proper eating etiquette. When deer feed together, hierarchy usually takes over and the older more dominant animal will usually eat first. It looks to me as though the older doe is explaining that fact to the younger one. (Ears held back are a give-away)

Anyhow, I hadn’t even noticed at first that while the deer were distracted, something was watching them from behind. I tried zooming-in and back tracking through the images I had gathered from that evening to figure out what it was.

Something was behind them and it wasn’t another deer! You can see a pair of eyes at the top-middle of the image.

In this photo taken a couple of seconds later, you can see one doe glance over her shoulder to another set of eye peering at them from out in the field.

In this next image the deer have disappeared and the strange visitor suddenly makes an appearance from the left.

A coyote had been stalking the two deer and got to within 50 feet, by my calculation, before the deer had even realized. The coyote hangs out at the feeder for a moment before taking off himself.

It just goes to prove that whitetails literally need eyes in the back of their head to stay one step ahead of theses pesky coyotes. In this case, the two deer were evidently distracted allowing a predator to close-in to within 50 feet of them before they saw it.

Footnote: The two deer showed-up a couple of days later alive and well, after an up-close-and-personal visit from their woodland nemesis!

Interesting what you’ll find on your trail cam images sometimes….

Outdoorsguy

Here are some neat photos Rick took of a deer standing its ground with a coyote:

Here are a few stills grabbed off the video of the coyote stalking the deer and the deer then stalking the coyote. The video is 13 minutes long.

The first shot shows the coyote walking bye a forkhorn. The second shows the coyote stalking the bedded buck with a second shot showing the coyote under the red arrow. The third shows the coyote closer to the bedded buck Notice the buck is aware of the coyote. The last shot shows two bucks stalking the bedded coyote.

Rick

December 5, 2012

Hunting deer with trail cameras

Well, hunting season has come and gone – for me at least. I realize there are still some hunting opportunities left but, sadly, I haven’t any time for them. How far off is retirement again?

Thank goodness for my trail cam hunting; the closest thing to real hunting I’ve found yet. Planning out a good trailcam strategy and location, I’ve discovered to be very much like hunting itself.

You need to understand whitetail patterns and travel habits, and setting up camera position & location can be compared to choosing the proper stand location. The actual photos and vids you acquire would be to hunting, akin to lining-up the shot and making the decision when to pull the trigger.

You see where I’m going with this?

Also, trail-camming is similar to hunting in that there is, certainly, some luck involved but as you become more skilled, the better the images you will get. Sure, there is such thing as beginner’s luck with hunting, but it is also common knowledge that the more experienced hunter will have, on average, more opportunities to harvest game than those with little experience.

Throughout the year I run just 2 trailcams around my place , however, once December arrives I’ll put out 2 or 3 more to cover different areas as deer travel patterns change.

The more the merrier I always say and, as luck would have it, Bushnell has just sent me two new models to test- out. The Trophy Cam HD and the X8.

Here are some of the more interesting images I’ve taken this fall. Although I pride myself on knowing the look and names of practically every deer I photograph around my place, I was surprised to discover a big buck I had never seen before. Mrs Outdoors Guy named him ‘Silver’ and he’s a real beauty as you’ll see….

Happy trail-camming and enjoy!

(This young bull was photographed on the trail beside our hunt camp, while the moose hunters were in the camp having breakfast. They never saw this bull during the season)

(In Sep this black bear stopped by my deer camp feeder for a nibble and a close-up look at my trail cam)

(This is the same bear 1 minute later trying to bite said trail cam! Thank goodness for my Bushnell Bear Safe and cable lock, the camera wasn’t damaged or moved. And since this cam stays up for 2 months without being checked, it remained in position until deer season!)

(This coyote had a good snack at my camp feeder. Notice the Acorn Rage attached to tree in lower left)

(Coyote then notices the Acorn Rage attached to the tree..now what’s he going to do?)

(This photo shows same coyote after he tore the Acorn Rage block off the tree. Keep in mind this things are attached with a heavy screw!)

(Now on to the cameras around my place. Here’s a nice pic of my old pal Garfield – now an impressive 5 year old buck! Garfield was born in my back field and can be recognized by tell-tale white markings on his hind legs)

(Another picture of Garfield at same camera location)

(Here’s the new buck we’re calling ‘Silver’. Not sure if he and Garfield have met personally, but I’m sure they will soon as I suspect there is a hot doe around!)

(A little while after Silver went through, this guy was on his tail..bugger!)

November 26, 2012

2012 Deer Season in review

The 2012 white-tailed deer season will be remembered, by most, as a year of promise on both sides of the river.

As we climb our way out of a major whitetail decline dating back 4 years or so, there are signs of recovery all around us. Some guys were luckier than others, of course, but all in all, deer numbers appear to be on the rebound over much of eastern ON and western QC.

You’ve all heard about my gang’s deer hunting experiences this fall(I’ve been telling everyone) and my personal record of seeing 5 bucks during hunting season.

Here’s your chance to share your tales of the season and post of few images. Let’s all reflect on what a great fall it has been. (I know, I know it’s not completely over year)

Here are a some more images of my hunt gang and the terrific 10 point I was fortunate enough to harvest this year:

(A nice shot of 4 of the best hunters I know, well 3 anyway)

Sent-in by Rick Poulin:

Here is a picture of the 8 point that committed suicide by trying to get by me last Friday morning just after 7. I have not scored him yet. He was an older deer based on checking his teeth. I would guess he was at least 7-8 years old.

Sent-in by imacdon:

Deer camp 2012 started like so many other deer camps, full of high anticipation. Most of the group arrived on Saturday. My 82 year old father and brother arrived from the big smoke. I had another brother fly in from cow-town out west. My three sons showed up, two taking a few days off university. Those who had not sighted in their guns did so Sunday. A few of us went out duck hunting Sunday night. The traditional sea food chowder was severed up thick with home baked rolls.

Monday morning arrived and after a quick breakfast, dogs where put in dog boxes and ATV’s where mounted, it was off to the deer stands. A few deer where observed but no shots were offered. We set up a chase about 8:30. My brother Phil and son Todd where going to walk thru with the dog. The dog started right away. Everyone was ready. The dog brought the deer back between the two dogger’s. The dog chased the deer for about 45 minutes, then brought the deer back and presented

A shot to Phil who connected. 4 pt, 138 pounds. Next morning during another chase the dog brought another buck between son’s Kyle and Todd who connected on a 7 pt 145 pounder. Unfortunately Kyle and Todd had to go back to school, and Phil had to go go back to work, that left four in camp. Latter in the week I connected with 6 pointer early in the morning. Weather was great. Camp was cleaned up, everyone was already talking about next year. I went over to my place for another week of deer hunting.

But that’s another story.

(Todd and Kyle taking Phil’s deer out of the swamp)

(Todd and Kyle with their deer)

(My three sons, myself, my 82 year old Dad and brother. Another brother took the photo.)

Sent-in by Maple(see Farmer’s buck story):

Sent-in by Iggy:

A moose at the deer camp caught on a trail cam, no season though, and Bill’s 9 point buck.

Sent-in by Mr Bounder Magazine himself – Brian Warren:

Hi jeff, here are some photos from the bogieman hunt camp..we got 4 bucks

Sent-in by Hunting Mom:

Sam’s first deer

We were on our last day of hunting because I had to get Sam back to school. Our group had already got three does and one buck. Sam actually fired at a couple but missed. I squandered two good opportunities but I won’t bore you with that sad story. We were on one of the last chases of the day. I was on a watch when I heard a shot which I knew was from Sam’s gun. One of our group asked via radio “what are you shooting at Sam?” (This was an important question because we were on our last doe tag). There was no response.

The question was asked again and again, no response. My motherly instinct was in overdrive imaging all kinds of terrible scenarios. After what seemed like an eternity, a breathless Sam responded that he thought he got one and he was trying to find it. Again came the question “is it a doe, Sam?”. Sam didn’t hear the question, so again no response. Finally, Sam confirmed that that he had a deer down. The question this time was, “Sam, did it have antlers??” I was imagining the poor members of the group frozen in their tracks waiting for the answer. At last, Sam confirmed that it was a doe. He was then instructed to mark the kill with bright orange and continue dogging the chase. Sam replied OK, he’ll leave his hat. I couldn’t help myself, my motherly instinct kicked in again and I blurted out on the radio “Sam, keep your hat on your head, use the bright orange tape in your pocket”. Hunting with your mother definitely has its downsides.

Sent-in by Trapper:

We had a great hunt this year both Moose and Deer.

Saw at least 8 different adult moose but could only harvest them with camera lens. Did manage to harvest 2 small 6 point bucks. On the trapping front we’re off to a good start with 25% of our beaver quoata and 30% of our Fisher quota. Mink have also been very productive.

As for the Bobcat-vs-Lynx debate. There’s plenty of Lynx in the North Bay area. The tell tale signs we use are that Bobcat are more spotted than Lynx. Lynx appear Greyer, Bobcat tails are striped (both have black tips though). Lynx ear tufts are much more prominent as are their paw prints.

On another note, if ya’ll ever get the chance to eat Lynx meat, take it. It is by far the best meat I have ever eaten (even better than moose).

November 14, 2012

Hunting season from heaven – life of a deer magnet

Well, I can honestly say this year I was the lucky one – a deer magnet if you will.

You know that hunter who’s always in the right place at the right time? The one they call ‘the deer magnet’?

I have no real explanation as to why some guys have all the luck some years while others struggle just to catch a glimpse of Cervid. Some seasons, it seems, I am that lucky hunter while other years I have been on the losing end.

This year was my year!

From the very first day of this deer season I had a gut feeling I was in store for something marvelous. First chase of opening day and a dandy 4-point yearling strolled out to me at the end of a lake I was watching. He got to within 10 feet of where I was sitting and never even knew I was in town. I knew this little buck well from photos I had seen on my trail cam, and I had no intention of raising my rifle on him; especially first thing on opening morning.

I sat there quietly and enjoyed the sight of this young lad as he disappeared up the hill behind me…man, these are the moments I live for.

The following day, we hunted the top of one of our favourite 2000 ft. mountains and I watched in amazement as yet another 4 point buck bounded his way to within 50 feet me. It was a different forkhorn this time. This guy was bigger and sported a slightly larger rack, yet I let him pass hoping other hunters might do the same if they saw him.

Call it what you want, but choosing to pass on first year bucks is something I do in the best interest of our (recovering) deer herd. I have hopes that by letting these yearlings walk they will, one day, grow up to produce a damn fine progeny; seeding the deer woods with quality genetics. We have gone home empty-handy several years as a result…but so be it.

Ok, so they say some guys have all the luck. By the end of the first week of deer season I had seen, by far, the most deer of anyone and two bucks to boot, while the remaining four members of my gang saw scant few deer and no antlers at all.

It’s just luck I tell myself, as we prepare for our annual luxury trip to Fairmont Kenauk in Montebello, and surely it will run out eventually.

First day of the hunt at Kenauk and my deer numbers are going sky-high. On one chase alone I had 8 deer come out to me including two more bucks; one a spike and the other another forkhorn. Man, I’ve now had 4 bucks make an appearance at close range and I still haven’t raised the rifle.

The boys were getting a little ticked at this point. I chased, I sat, I stalked and it didn’t matter, the deer were all around me it seemed like I was the Pied Piper or something; leading the mice out of the town. Was it something I was wearing?

To be honest it was a bit weird…and somewhat of a burden to carry.

The final day of our season arrived and I promised my 81-year old father that HE would sit in the hotspot where the 8 deer had been all over me the day before. I explained that I would take the post he had and put him in my special ‘hotspot’, with hopes of sharing the wealth…

The chase was on!

I could hear the chasers(doggers, as some call them) on the radio commenting on the fresh buck sign from the day before. I watched the knoll in front of me with another more watchful eye over in my father’s direction with finger’s crossed.

Today has to be HIS day, I thought.

Surely if the big buck which had been making all the rubs and scrapes were around, he would appear and practically run my father over in his hotspot. My poor Dad had seen but 1 whitetail all season long and he deserves this chance at a nice buck.

But alas, as irony and my fate as deer magnet won out, I heard the rustling of leaves on the knoll above me and the glimpse of antler caught my attention.

OMG, here sneaking down the ridge, was one of the biggest set of ivory white antlers I’d ever laid eyes on!

“How could this be?” I thought to myself. “This isn’t the hotspot, the oldman is supposed to see this deer over there!!” A small but persistent wave of guilt come over me.

Finally, instinct took over as I picked out a semi-clear window in the brush I figured this majestic beast would step into. And as my continuous knack for doing everything right won out, the deer stopped into the very spot I had chosen; as if on cue.

Within seconds it was all over and the most beautiful 10-pointer I had ever seen was down and as I walked up to this magnificent beast I knew this had to my destiny this year, and I just couldn’t fight fate. As much as I tried to share my good fortune as deer magnet with others, it simply did not work.

This deer was a very special animal indeed and not your run-of-the-mill whitetail. He sported an almost perfectly symmetrical 5X5 crown with long sweeping main beams and even showed signs of piebald pigmentation along his lower legs and hooves. Two hooves were half white and half brown. It almost looked like the old fellow was wearing white slippers!

Yes, some guys have all the luck and this year was my time. The way things go, next fall lady luck may shine out of someone else’s arse. Man I hope so, I’m not sure I handle the pressure any more. It’s like the weight of the world and extremely tiring to be so popular…

How can one member of a hunt party see 5 bucks during the season, and the rest of the guys see none? I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure…

Anyhow, enjoy these images of one magnificent whitetail buck that wouldn’t have been possible without the other guys in my gang – Rathwell Morrison, Ken Campbell & Jim Bindon.

Next fall, it could just as easily be someone else who plays deer magnet, but just in case, I told the boys I would be leaving my rifle at home….

Outdoorsguy(AKA Deer Magnet)

P.S. A special thanks to Bill Nowell & Celyne Fortin of Fairmont Kenauk and Denyse Murphy of Tourism Quebec.

(The look of an exhausted but very proud deer magnet)