theoutdoorsguy

November 26, 2010

Hunters outside City enjoy moderate success

(This 282-pound (dressed) bruiser was taken in the Kemptville-area by Paul Poisson’s hunt gang)

Although many deer hunters in eastern ON and western QC have reported poorer than average deer seasons, it does appear that areas outside the Ottawa valley are starting to rebuild.

Of the many reports I have received, it does seem evident that much of the Ottawa Valley has a way to go before the deer herd is back on track. Deer sightings, around the City, are way down, and most camps saw either low or nil harvest numbers.

Outside the valley to the North, parts of Central Ontario, western QC and a few other spotty regions did see a bit of any increase over last year’s deer numbers.

Here are some of this fall’s success stories (In Photo)

(Another shot of the giant buck taken by Paul Poisson’s gang)

(And for those who may have noticed the tag improperly affixed, Paul assures me it was attached to the base of the main beam shortly after this photo was taken, and before the deer was taken to MNR Kemptville)

(Ian McDonald and his awesome 10-pointer)

(Ian and some of the boys)

(Another shot of Ian’s gang and the dogs)

(Paul Poisson and his great-looking 8-point..what’s that in your hand, Paul?)

(Here is a really nice 8-point taken up the valley by ‘Maple’)

(Another shot of Maple’s buck..you can see his stand in the background

(Iggy sent me this photo of a Giant Napanee-area buck…sorry, I dont know the story)

(Rick Poulin with the fine looking 7-point he took on opening morning. 7-point bucks are the nicest bucks of all..if you ask me)

Below are photos of an incredible 8-point buck taken by Allen Cullen with a crossbow. Allen calls the buck ‘Lucky’ and you can see the trailcam image of ‘Lucky’ while he was still upright.

For those of you who sent me photos I forgot to post, please remind me…and for those who have deer hunt pics from this year, free free to send them over by PM.

Here’s a phot0 of Iggy’s fisher mount, complete with ‘somewhat natural looking’ quills.

Outdoorsguy

November 16, 2010

2010 Deer season in review

I had planned to put together a Deer Season Bragging Board, however, it seems a review or assessment of the white-tailed deer numbers is in order. (I will be running the bragging board next week so please send in any deer photos you have from this fall)

At this point, I invite all deer hunters from across Ontario and Quebec to send-in an ‘assessment’ or ‘evaluation’ of the deer numbers in their hunt area.

We will be comparing deer numbers and sightings this year, to previous hunting seasons. Please describe your deer woods in terms of whitetail sign and sightings, ‘as compared to last year’

How would you describe the health of your deer woods compared to last season?

“Significant Increase, Increase, Slight Increase, No Change, Significant Decrease, Decrease, Slight Decrease.”

Without giving away your hunt area completely, you may want to describe it as being in the “Calabogie-area” or “Barry’s Bay-area”…etc

Feel free to include such things as number of deer harvested or number of deer sightings this year compared to last year.

I also invite all those folks with businesses tied-in to the deer season like taxidermists, outfitters, slaughter house owners, butchers, hunting guides, etc, to share their thoughts.

Outdoorsguy

November 12, 2010

Kenauk Deer Hunt a day to remember

White-tailed deer hunting at the historic Fairmont Kenauk in Montebello is not unlike pursuing deer in other parts of North America, except for:

1) Huge stands of pure sugar maple forest

2) Ancient mountains of rugged exposed bedrock

3) Amazing old growth forest with stunning visibility

4) Dirty swamps and cedar swails ideal cover for deer

5) A much higher whitetail density than most areas of the Province

6) Friendly, knowledgeable staff and top notch accomodations

(Actually, I guess it is unlike hunting deer in other parts of North America)

What a perfect day it was to honour Remembrance Day – a sunny 10 degrees and hardly a breath of wind.

It was also the perfect time to celebrate a 30-year hunting career and the 9th annual deer hunting trip to my favourite home away from home – the Fairmont Kenauk in Montebello.

My father Rathwell and I had big plans for the day and we started out by doing some ‘recon’ of a territory I have never hunted before. What a fabulous deer woods we had this day, as rugged and as beautiful as anything I had ever seen.

The two hunters we met in the office that morning were kind enough to share some big buck info for the territory we would be hunting.

“There’s always a big one hanging out alongside this lake!” the man said in French. “I saw his rubs and scrapes there last year!”

“Thanks for the heads-up” I told him, and my father and I agreed we would sneak into that area after lunch.

After spending an hour or two touring the north part of our woods, we started headed down into lower country when we noticed a great funnel-area coming off the nearby ridge; with two deer runways converging as it crossed the road.

It was the perfect place for two of us to sneak-in and ‘cop a squat’ for an hour. With the frost on the ground and no wind, still-hunting would not be a possibility.

As we quietly parked the vehicles and made our way to edge of bush; standing on yet another rock outcrop, however, our plan to sit would change very quickly…

A nice looking buck, which had been bedded down alongside the ridge, stood-up and looked at me. I could tell he was a nice one, not huge but a taker for sure.

In what always seems like a blur when you look back on it, my trusty old 30-06 Mauser was on my shoulder in one fluid motion and the safety was off.

Before it had really even sunk in, I had a chunky 7-point buck down with one perfectly-placed shot. As we discovered later, it was truly the most perfect shot a hunter can ask for, as I really got to the heart of the matter.

My father arrived a moment later to shake my hand. It may not be the biggest deer I have ever taken, but at 170 pounds field-dressed and a neat little 7-point rack, he was nothing to sneeze at either.

The only drawback though, by the time we finished cleaning the buck it was only 10:00. My Dad and already agreed that we would take one only deer. Sure, we hadn’t gone looking for the big buck the other hunter told us about, or really got a chance to walk to mountains, but that was ok.

Instead, we sat on the tailboard of my father’s truck and ate lunch in the radiant sunshine. We chatted about hunts from our past and discussed our plans for next year. It was great.

With the truck radio on quietly in the background, we sat there and observed the 11 AM moment of silence in the most perfect setting one could ever imagine.

As we sat there, we remembered back on those brave soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom. We also remembered all the great times hunting together over the past 30-years.

That, to me, is what deer hunting is all about. Sure, we didn’t spend long hours travelling endless ridges, but we did share a morning of deer hunting and remembering, that neither of us will forget.

Hopefully next year, though, the whole experience will last a bit longer.

A special thanks to Bill Nowell and Lynda Melanson of Fairmont Kenauk for taking such good care of me each year. I really am fortunate to be able to spend time – year after year – in the most spectacular deer woods on earth!

For more information on deer hunting in Quebec, or to order your free brochure of the Province’s hunting & lodging opportunities: 1 (877) 266-5687

Outdoorsguy

November 8, 2010

Protesters harass local egg farmer following blaze

If Earle McEwen of North Gower didn’t feel badly enough when a blaze destroyed his barn along with 5,600 egg-laying hens last week, the Animal Defense League was right there to throw salt in the wound!

The Animal Right’s Group surreptitiously gained access to McEwen’s property after the fire, to capture gruesome video footage of the chicken’s charred remains.

Now how sick is that?

According to a SUN Media report:

On Friday a local group of animal rights activists stood at the edge of his property armed with signs reading “Birds Suffer and Die for Eggs you Buy” and the video footage.

Michele Thorn would not reveal who captured the video, but her group, the Ottawa Animal Defense League was not afraid to distribute the gruesome footage to media.

“It’s frustrating, it’s not any of their business,” McEwen said of the protesters.

Thorn stood in the rain carrying an R.I.P. sign and a “bloody” cross, arguing there’s no need to eat eggs or any other food that comes from animals.”

Earle McEwen lives with his wife and his elderly parents live on the same property.

What has this world come to when we put the rights of animals so far ahead of our human rights, that we feel it necessary to kick someone when they are already down.

This group makes me sick and I only wish someone would have caught them trespassing onto Mr McEwen’s property.

Can we now expect the Animal Defense League to bother the Joly family of Cumberland, who just lost 70 dairy cattle in a recent barn fire?

Outdoorsguy

October 26, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen start your deer camp

(Photo of me at the camp with my pride and joy ‘Old toothless’ taken Nov, 1996)

White-tailed deer enthusiasts in Quebec and Ontario are gearing-up for the busiest and most highly anticipated week of the year.

Better hold onto your hat as the deer rifle season is on its way and one thing you can always count at the start of deer season each year; it certainly does not go unnoticed!

Government buildings become short-staffed, highways less congested and you might even catch a glimpse of tumbleweeds rolling down the main strip in towns like Carleton Place, Otter Lake, Peterborough, Aylmer, Stittsville, Port Hope or Almonte.

Be aware that once bitten by the deer rifle season phenomenon, you may be hooked for life. It is a time when hunters get very little sleep but never seem to mind, and the tales of all the big bucks that got away; are heard long after the season has ended.

And for those of you brought through the ranks of a traditional family and friend-based hunt camp, like me, you have certainly dealt with the loss of a hunting partner.

After many long hours in the bush bearing your soul with guys you share a common interest, you do tend to grow very close. I myself began chasing deer when I was 13 (my 30th Anniversary this year) and have always been the youngest hunter in camp.

Many uncles and friends of the family were there during my formative years, before heading off to that great hunt camp in the sky. And other fine hunters stopped going because of various health problems. It is just part of life, I suppose, as sad as it is to think about.

I fear for the day my own father is unable to join us, or I myself am not able to attend deer camp in the fall for whatever reason. Probably best not to think about it.

Well, here’s to all of you avid deer hunters out there…as you prepare for perhaps the greatest bonding experience known to man. For as much as the ‘non-believers’ like to tease us, deer camp truly is the greatest place in the world at the greatest time of year!

I wish you all the best of luck and please drop-in here anytime to give us your personal deer hunting update.

Outdoorsguy

October 22, 2010

Speaking of preservationists now we have rat protestors

“Animal Defence League” you ever heard of them??

No, me neither, but evidently their mandate includes the protection of rats – a mangy rodent notorious for its ability to carry disease and responsible for spreading the Black Plague.

According to CFRA Radio:

A woman walking along Laurier Avenue outside the park says, “I think they should leave the rats.” She argues that — as long as they don’t hurt anybody, destroying the park or going into garbage bins, why should they be hurt?

The Animal Defence League has a 3pm protest planned to oppose the placement of rat poison in Confederation Park.

Their news release says “rats are playful, love to be tickled and make chirping noises that sound like laughter”.

“Rats are playful” – give me a break, I mean, Russell Williams was probably playful too as a boy, and looked how he turned out – the filthiest scumbag rat of them all!!

Ok, is it just me or has everyone in the City gone mad??

I invite any member of the Animal Defence League out there to please explain their stance for me, because obviously I’m not picking up what they’re putting down!

Come on people, these are rats we’re talking about!!

Signed,

One very confused Outdoorsguy

October 20, 2010

Wildlife activity heats up with cooler weather

Over the past week or so the wildlife activity has really started to heat-up!

This proud little yearly buck put on quite the show in my backyard yesterday afternoon. He wandered around the property for 10 -15 minutes eating and scratching, while my daughter and I watched with binoculars.

At one point he even stood on his hind legs to snatch some leaves from our Siberian Pea tree.

This bad boy is a buck I call ‘Weird Rack’…for obvious reasons as you’ll see. I would estimate Weird Rack to be between 2.5 – 4.5 years old with a set of antlers I have never seen before.

I’m comparing photos from last winter of a deer I called ‘War Vet’ who, if you recall, had his antlers broken off at the base. There is a chance this could be War Vet, but I’ll continue to call him Weird Rack until I can prove otherwise.

In this nightime photo you can see his strange antler configuration. On his left side, there’s a long, skinny point that looks much like a browtine but is, in fact, a completely seperate mainbeam.

In this photo you can get a better apprecation for what’s going on with Weird Rack. It’s almost as if he started out producing a typical 4X4 and then sprouted a secondary spike rack in front of it.

He is a very skittish buck too; only showing up for 2-3 minutes at a time, but he has been like clockwork arriving at 6 PM each evening and then returning again after dark.

This ironic visitor showed his face early yesterday morning travelling the same trail as the deer. I say ironic as he is the only one, besides the racoons, to eat any of the apples I put out. The deer had no interest in them at all.

I guess the cooler weather is really bringing them out of the woodwork which is nice to see, well, all except for the last visitor!

Outdoorsguy

October 13, 2010

Wayward moose dies in Orleans

It was certainly a Thanksgiving Day out of the ordinary for residents in the Fallingbrook neighbourhood of Orleans, as yet another wayward moose made its way through the backstreets.

This time, however, the City reacted swiftly and contrary to some news reports, Ottawa’s new wildlife response team was on the scene quickly.

According to one of the City’s wildlife officers, it was evident from the onset that the 2.5 year old bull moose was already in serious trouble:

“It was apparent that something was seriously wrong with the animal. It was heaving noticeably and its back legs were in constant motion indicating abdominal pain.”

Upon arrival, the wildlife response team noted that the bull appeared wet as if it had been swimming, although they believe it to be perspiration caused from over-exertion and stress.

According to the City’s lead wildlife officer – who asked not to be named due to contract restrictions – the Orleans moose situation was handled well and police who were first on the scene did everything correctly, unfortunately, the story did not have a happy ending.

The wildlife officers had hoped that, since the animal was resting in a sheltered shady spot, it might recover. That, however, was not to be the case.

“The moose stood up once in the next hour; turned 180 degrees and lay down again facing away. It expired approximately half an hour later.”

Although wildlife officers extensively trained in the use of tranquilizers were at the ready – none were used in the situation because of the animal’s obvious distress and because it posed no immediate danger to the public.

There is, however, some evidence to show the young bull may have been pursued by helicopter prior to its arrival in Orleans. The City’s lead wildlife officer wants residents to know they should never, under any circumstance, chase wildlife and he urges the public not to harass game animals within City limits.

It is unknown at this time if the moose was, in fact, being pursued by helicopter and whether that played any part in its death. It is clear that such an act would certainly exacerbate the situation; with an already stressed and confused animal.

If you should spot any wayward wildlife within City limits, please call the City of Ottawa immediately so that the experts may be dispatched. Dial 3-1-1 or (613) 580-2400

Outdoorsguy

October 12, 2010

Hunting for Butterflies at Carleton University

This weekend I took a break from closing the trailer and cleaning-up my properly at home, to go butterfly hunting at Carleton University.

Of course, I left my rifle at home.

Since Carleton University happens to be my old alma mater, I always take advantage of an opportunity to head back to the campus for a visit, although attending school there feels like a lifetime ago.

This past weekend it was the Carleton Biology Butterfly Show put on by butterfly enthusiast Ed Bruggink, with the help of Moth expert Jim Des Rivieres.

Ed – believe it or not – hatches every last butterfly himself from chrysalis, in an adjacent nursery and then releases them in the Nesbitt Building Green house for a brief 10-day period the beautiful creatures remain alive.

I know it may not sound extremely masculine, but I have to admit that seeing hundreds of beautifully-coloured butterfly species from around the world as they flutter around you, is a very special feeling indeed.

I watched several photographers as they steadied for a shot, and the kids who held orange slices out for the butterflies would land on. And if you remained still, they would land on your shoulder, head or any other peaceful resting place they could find.

With two daughters into the outdoors including an 8-year old who is a buddy entomologist, the decision to visit the butterfly show was an easy one, and I look forward to next year’s show already.

My daughter Grace and her new friend:

If you didn’t get to see the show, do yourself a favour and mark it on your calendar for next year. There is no admission, but Ed does accept donations to help pay for crysallis he has shipped from California.

Thanks to Ed and Jim for putting on one of the neatest exhibits I’ve ever seen!

For more information on Jim Des Rivieres’ moth exhibit which runs till January 9^th at the Canadian Museum of Nature, check it out online: http://www.moths.ca/

Outdoorsguy

October 6, 2010

Trail camera bragging board

First off, I would like to thank everyone who participated in this first Trail Camera Bragging Board.

Without all you guys in the field, this never would have been possible.

It is truly amazing to see how many people today are using modern wildlife surveillance equipment as a scouting tool for big-game. I, for one, am a huge proponent of trail cameras for a variety of outdoor situations.

So without further ado…sit back and enjoy some of the incredible photographs provided by the many fanatical readers and contributors of the Outdoors Guy Blog!

In this first image, our friend “Trapper” sent in this photo I call ‘a covey of coons’ Trapper says it’s going to be a great trapping season at this location for obvious reasons:

Here is a fine collection of images submitted by “Billy in the Valley”. They include a shot of Billy’s ‘deluxe tree stand in the sky’, a fine-looking black bear and a great whitetail buck (Which, I’m told, he harvested shortly after that photo was taken) and a raven(or crow) that Billy calls the ‘Black Angel’.

Here is Chessy’s contribution proving that coyote’s do enjoy eating apples (among other things):

Here are some truly unique shots of ‘bucks in velvet’ sent-in by Shawn Lyons. They were taken with incandescent flash (you can tell because its the only way night images will ever appear in colour)

I suggested to Shawn that he consider changing his camera angle, but apparently it’s because the deer are so close when the images were taken. Whatever the case, Shawn’s photos offer a neat perspective:

Here is Rick Poulin with the fine buck he took in September during his annual hunting trip to Manitoba. I know its not a trail camera image, but I have been meaning to post it.

Nice job Rick!

McDan sent in these great deer feeding photos; including one spectacular ray of sunlight…perhaps that is the Deer Gods shining down on him…thanks Dan!

In these images, you’ll see ‘yours truly’ trying to contact someone on the two-way radio and delivering some apples. In the third photo a doe can be seen wondering what happened to the Acorn Rage. I’ve also included a bonus photo of my old friend Grand Daddy…for no other reason than I simply like to stare at him!

Our ‘Whitetail Guru’ friend Rick Poulin just sent-in some excellent ‘Before and After’ photos of a whitetail buck and black bear. Below, Rick Poulin’s trail cam pics show a buck and boar which were later harvested by he and his hunting partner:

Rick’s ‘Before’ bear:

Rick’s ‘After’ bear (the black animal on the left) :

Rick’s ‘Before’ buck:

Rick’s ‘After Buck’:

Finally, here is one of Rick’s favourite trail camera photos; he regards as one of the best he’s ever taken (and you can see why):

Billy of the Valley sent it a close-up shot of his Mega tree-stand which, unfortunately, rules out any chance of a Lady Gaga after party:

Sorry to Terry Alguire for over-looking his collection of trail cam images from 2009 (Obviously Terry is surrounded by a plethora of wild game):

Great looking buck but what the heck happened to his ear? I once had a German Sheppard with a lazy ear like that. Was that an old injury, Terry?

Reader Serge Picard(aka 3D Man) just returned from a successful moose hunt in 15B and provided these incredible timber wolf photos below. After tagging out on moose, Serge tried baiting some bears and these timber wolves showed up.

With all the photos we’ve seen of eastern coyotes (brush wolves) you can sure tell the difference when looking at images of bona fide timber wolves.

Jeff Scharf – who has a hunt camp in Barry’s Bay – is an avid hunter and a follower of the Blog. He told me that while over in Afghanistan he’d log onto the OttawaSun.com whenever he had the chance, just to read the Outdoors Guy. In Jeff’s words; “When you are stuck in the middle of the desert, it was sure nice to read about the hunting and fishing back home’. Thanks Jeff for the fabulous image of two very inquisitive bucks, and best of luck finding them this fall. Great looking owl too..what is that Rick, a Barred Owl??

Here are Savage Joe’s trail cam images taken in the span of just one week. SJ says he is a long-time reader and first time contributor, and from what I see here he needs to contribute more!.

Talk about variety!!!

Here is trout expert Grant Bailey’s contribution of a fine 8-point and some gobblers – showing clearly that the man is much more than just brook trout:

Now, if I have somehow forgotten your trail camera image, please let me know and I’ll post it right away. If anyone else has images they would like to share, let ‘er rip!

Ahhh, isn’t Fall a wonderful time of year when captured on a trail cam…..

Outdoorsguy