Bass fishing officially gets underway this weekend and Ottawa Valley anglers are eager to get out on the water.
The bass fishing season for Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15 gets underway, each summer on the fourth Saturday in June, two weeks later than other sportfish. From a conservation standpoint, a later season allows for smallmouth and largemouth bass to complete their spawn, and for young bass to mature so they can fend for themselves.
Best of luck and ‘tight lines’ to all the bass anglers of the Ottawa Valley.
Deer tag deadline
Deer hunters are watching the calendar closely as the antlerless deer tag validation draw closes on July 3 this year. There are three application methods available although your chances at a tag remain the same, whether you apply by telephone, online or at a Service Ontario outlet. To apply over the phone call 1-800-288-1155, but remember that if you have already purchased your regular deer licence, you’ll not be permitted to enter the draw this way, and must apply either online or visit a Service Ontario outlet. For more information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-big-game-draw#section-1<https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-big-game-draw>
National Fishing Week
From June 30 to July 8, you are encouraged to plan day of fishing at your nearest stream, pond, river or lake. To remind folks of the recreational value of our freshwater fishery, the Ontario government is waving the fishing license requirement for that week each summer. Anglers without a licence must still abide by the limits set out in the Conservation permit and all other regulations remain enforced; including size limits and protected sanctuaries. For more information: http://www.catchfishing.com/
New Quebec regs bad for Ontario residents!
New hunting regulations implemented in Quebec this spring, have cross-border hunters reeling and more than a little peeved. Two years ago, the Quebec government threatened to make it a requirement that, Ontario residents wanting to hunt deer and moose must use at least two services of a Quebec Outfitter. The new law was rescinded, at the time, but has now reared its ugly head once again. Now, any Ontario resident wishing to hunt moose across the river will not be permitted on Crown land. Any Quebec moose camp owners who moved out of province will be out of luck.
Misguided regulation
For now, Quebec has chosen not to target non-resident deer hunters, though anyone from Ontario who is part of a family camp on the Quebec-side and who wishes to moose hunt will only be allowed with an immediate family member. Non-resident members of the RCMP, and the Canadian Military stationed in the province are also exempt. The Quebec government is hoping to generate more business for its outfitters, I assume, but at the cost of alienating thousands of non-resident hunters, who can longer pursue moose on Crown land.
This new regulation hits close to home for me and our hunt gang. Though I’ve lived in Ontario for the past 20 years, I return to my family camp in Quebec every fall. Once my 87-year old father is no longer able to hunt with us, this new reg would prevent me from moose hunting at our own camp, a camp I have been hunting at for nearly 40 years! The thought of it makes my stomach turn.
If you are an Ontario resident affected by this new law, please drop me a line:[email protected]