Category: Outdoors

It seems that Sea Shepherd captain and renowned anti-seal hunt activist Paul Watson has – much like the harp seal itself – bitten off more than he can chew.

In a challenge offered back in February, Paul Watson offered a $50, 000 reward to anyone who could produce video evidence showing that seals feed wastefully on cod.

Many fishermen believe that seals prefer the nutrient rich livers and belly’s of cod and often target those areas leaving the rest of the fish to waste. Watson claimed this practise was preposterous and laid down a whopping 50K reward to anyone who could prove it!

Yesterday, members of the Seals and Sealing Network (SSN) re-circulated video footage that should be worth a $50,000 reward, if activist Paul Watson is to make good on his challenge. 

The video – originally produced in 1999 by Ulf Marquardt Medienproduktion – portrays harp seals herding large cod into a Newfoundland bay.  A school of cod is seen swimming in shallow water, forced in shore by seals.  Underwater footage reveals an ocean floor littered with discarded cod carcasses. 

“More scientific work needs to be done to estimate the ecological significance of Canada’s seal populations,” said Rob Cahill, Fur Institute of Canada Executive Director.  “When a seal consumes only a cod’s belly, it destroys more fish than it eats – but Canadian scientists have no clear data on how often this happens.”

The Canadian Government’s scientific literature notes reports of cod belly biting by harp seals and grey seals, but also notes that current methods for estimating seal diets cannot reliably detect the large cod that would be killed through belly biting.

Since 1999, the harp seal population in Canadian waters has increased from an estimated 5.8 to 6.9 million animals.

Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Organization have yet to comment.  One can only assume they are either scrambling to do damage control, or heading to the bank!

The video in question may be viewed at:  http://www.sealsandsealing.net/

Outdoorsguy

The 11th annual Valley Fishing & Outdoors show gets under way this Friday April 9th at the Carp Arena and Fairgrounds and runs until Sunday April 11th.

New this year is the addition of a brand new show building which will accommodate a growing number of visitors and exhibitors.

Last year the show’s attendance was over 12000 people and organizer Dave Arbour is expecting that number to increase this year thanks to an aggressive advertising campaign on four radio stations, television, road signs, posters, and daily newspapers which cover the Seaway Valley, Ottawa Valley and Western Quebec.

Plus, the additional coverage of the event found right here on The Outdoors Guy Blog will surely push this event right over the edge!  

This year’s Valley Fishing and Outdoor Show has some great seminars on tap:

Introduction to Fly Fishing – Ottawa Flyfishing Society

An overview of the equipment and the basic casting techniques of fly-fishing. The Ottawa Flyfishing Society will provide experienced fly fishers to discuss the set up of fly-fishing gear in preparation to target local species including bass, pike, panfish and trout. Casting demonstrations and discussion of flies appropriate for these species will be made.

Thundermist Lure Company – Ivo Coia

Ivo Coia is an avid outdoors man and multi-species angler.  He is the CEO & CFO of Thundermist Lure Company as well as outdoor writer for Thundermist Fishing Tips.  Ivo is the host of the “Thundermist Fishing Tips TV Show” as seen on national television in the USA, on the Sportsman Channel. 

TIME TESTED TACTICS – “Big” Jim

“Big” Jim, as he is affectionately known has been an integral part of the Canadian sportfishing scene for over 25 years now and shows no signs of slowing down. Having first gained notoriety as a tournament angler, “Big” Jim was vaulted into the sport fishing spotlight with two CFT Canadian Classics… Canada’s premier tournament title along with a slew of tournament victory’s numbering 28 to his credit.

Wild Turkey – Adrian Hare

Adrian Hare has been with Quaker Boy Game Calls for many years and is one of the best when it comes to hunting Wild Turkey. Adrian has harvested many trophy size gobblers and guided celebrities through out the United States and Canada.

Spring Time Crappie – Art Cunningham
 
Art Cunningham is an expert when it comes to that sought after fish called Crappie. Art has won several Crappie Tournaments in the Kingston area. This is the time of year to catch crappie and Art will give you those secrets on being successful.  Art is also a two time Renegade Bass Classic champion and has 21 ten top finishes with Renegade Bass.

Spinner Bait Fishing 101 – JP Ostiguy
 
JP Ostiguy is a respected tournament angler who will discussing Spinner baits as one of the most widely used lures for many species of fish such as pike, musky and of course bass. Have you ever wondered when and where to use them and what works best? Attend JP’S Seminar on Saturday and Sunday to get some exciting ideas and new tips on how to maximize these amazing baits.

Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing

With over 17 years on Lake Ontario, Mike Snow from Salmon Express (Port Credit) most certainly comes to these years Show with salmon and trout experience.  Mike’s vast knowledge will shed light on various techniques, such as Dipsey Divers, and Slide Divers, the use of lead core line, braid, wire and copper line. 

For more information, contact: Dave Arbour at: (613) 257-7489 or by email: [email protected]

To give you a sense of how bad things have gotten in the woods of eastern ON and western QC, I have spent the last two weeks worrying that the white-tailed deer season where I hunt back home would be closed completely this year. 

It was one scary thought, let me tell you! 

A hunting buddy from QC’s Laurentians called me up explaining that the rumour was the Ministry had plans to close Zone 9 completely this year – an area we have hunted for the past 30 years! 

Could this be possible, I thought? The last time the deer season was closed up north was back in the mid-1970’s when deer numbers were extremely low, but apparently that is where we are today. 

In much of the Outaouais-region and the Laurentians, deer harvest numbers have plummeted by 50% and more over the past two seasons. Even parts of the Outaouais which had enjoyed very high deer densities since the early 1990’s has seen a drop in numbers and possible season changes. 

I certainly breathed a sigh of relief this am when a message arrived from wildlife biologist Monique Boulet. She explained that our Zone would, in fact, be open for hunting this year, but that the season would be shortened by at least two days, and the antlerless deer tag draw would either be severely cut or removed altogether. 

Deer seasons are being cut back in other parts of the province too like Gaspe, which has also seen huge number declines over the past two years. 

My feeling is we will see more of this for eastern ON as well..as Central Canada tries to rebuild the deer herd after two years of steep decline. 

 Outdoorsguy

 

This is no April Fools joke!!

Thanks to John’s Marina and Ottawa SUN staffer (and avid sportsman) Mark Williamson, the Ottawa SUN and John’s Marina Braggin Board Contest enters its third year.

Send in a picture of your Braggin’ Board Fish and the story of how you got it in (keep it short) and you could win a boat and trailer package courtesy of John’s Marina, Princecraft Boats and the Ottawa Sun.

To enter, email your entry to [email protected] with the subject of “Braggin’ Board” and remember to include your contact information.

http://www.ottawasun.com/contests/2010/03/08/13158231.html

Good luck..and may the best BIG fish story win!!

Outdoorsguy

It’s that time of year once again for the Ottawa Ducks Unlimited Canada Conservation Dinner!

The annual fundraising dinner brings together partners in conservation to celebrate a new spring, wetland conservation and to benefit waterfowl, wildlife and our water resources.

The Ottawa Chapter’s 30th annual fundraising dinner will be held at the St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall on Thursday, April 8^th.  Join prominent members of the Ottawa community for an evening of fine dining, auctions, raffles and camaraderie in support of habitat conservation in Canada.

With your generous support, the Ottawa Chapter has raised close to $500,000 to support the securing of over 906,000 acres of wetlands in Ontario alone!  With the backing of our Ottawa community partners, we plan to sustain and increase our funding of DUC activities this year.

Your support will assist the following local Ducks Unlimited projects:

Joint work with the South Nation Conservation Authority to expand wild rice production to improve habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and fish while improving water quality and controlling the spread of non-native plant species.

7,600 Ontario youth involved in DUC’s Greenwing program and 2,161 Ontario landowners working in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Continued rehabilitation of 10,900 acres wetlands in the Marlborough Forest south of Ottawa, part of an ongoing partnership with Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.

Your partnership with Ducks Unlimited will also support the Wetlands for Tomorrow Campaign.  The goal of $500 million is within reach; we can make it happen!  This campaign is aimed at habitat conservation, scientific research, public policy and education initiatives spearheaded by DUC.  

Partnerships with Wildlife Habitat Canada and the Ontario government are the result of the efforts of this campaign. You can become a partner in conservation by purchasing a ticket or making a donation to the Ottawa chapter. 

To inquire further about this event or DUC programs in general, contact Michael McCaugherty at (613) 276-3851, [email protected] or visit our website at www.ducks.ca.

In a few short weeks, black bear hunters will be traveling across the river in pursuit of North America’s most mysterious and feared big-game animal.

When the Ontario government announced the end of its’ spring black bear hunt over nine years ago, it sparked controversy and outrage – the effects of which still shudder today like an earthquake after-shock.

Ontario hunters resigned themselves to the fact that bear hunting would – for all intents and purposes – remain a sport of the fall. The province of Quebec on the other hand, not only maintained its spring bear season; many regions have reintroduced the autumn bear hunt for bow, muzzle-loader, and in some regions rifle.

Regardless of where you hunt Ursus Americana this spring, successful hunters are aware that these creatures have perhaps the keenest sense of smell of any predator alive, and that the use of cover scent and hunting from a tree-stand, is of utmost importance.

The QC bear hunt this spring gets under way May 15th – a day that bear enthusiasts from both sides of the river look forward to greatly.

For a rundown on seasons, bag limits and regulations pertaining to the non-resident:

http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/online/wildlife/hunting-regulations/index.asp

Outdoorsguy

 

Avid sportsmen have all spent long hours travelling the backwoods trails over the years and have, undoubtedly, stumbled across some weird and whacky things along the way..it just comes with spending lots of time afield,  I suppose. 

But what is the weirdest thing you have ever found while out hunting or fishing? I must admit this is a topic I borrowed from a chat forum, but is a subject I find extremely interesting, being the natural treasure hunter that I am.. 

So, here are just a handfull of the things I have come across, over the years, while spending time in the Great Outdoors .. 

-Pair of binoculars 

-A weather balloon 

-A foam mattress with a bunch of playboy magazines on it. 

-Several marijuana operations –even some with plants still in it! 

-In Northern QC, a friend and I found a string of balloons with an advertising sign, which had broken away from a car dealership in Central Michigan! 

-Two ATV’s covered over with brush. 

-Several canoes and boats 

-Abandoned camping equipment. 

-Two way radios 

These are just a few of the oddities I can recall off the top of my head.. 

 So, what about you? What have you found out there over the years? 

Drop me a line! 

Outdoorsguy

Here is the latest Law enforcement news from the MNR:

Non-Residents Fined $6,500 For Hunting Violations

NEWS	March 25, 2010

Three Quebec men have been fined a total of $6,500 and received a combined nine years of hunting suspensions after pleading guilty to hunting-related violations.

Jonathan Blais, of La Patrie, was fined $1,500 and suspended from hunting in Ontario for five years for careless hunting. He was fined a further $1,250 for discharging a firearm from a roadway and $1,250 for making a false statement to a conservation officer.

Stephane Blais, of La Patrie, was fined $1,500 and suspended from hunting in Ontario for three years for careless hunting. He was also fined $500 for making a false statement to a conservation officer.

Jean Francois Lachance, of La Patrie, was fined $500 and received a one-year suspension of his hunting licence for making a false statement to a conservation officer.

Court heard that on December 1, 2008, several residents of Herron Mills, in the Township of Lanark Highlands, noticed a pickup truck driving slowly by a group of deer near their house.  Shortly after dark, the defendants were seen shooting at the deer from the same truck.  A deer was later found killed and left to spoil.  The residents that saw this activity occur were able to identify the vehicle and its licence plate.  Conservation officers investigated and, through witness statements and forensic evidence, were able to determine what had happened and to identify the individuals involved.

Justice of the Peace Clayton McKechnie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Perth on March 9, 2010.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact the Kemptville District office at 613-258-8204 during regular business hours. You can also call Crime stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). 

One of my favourite fishing haunts is the Fairmont Kenauk in Montebello. Besides being one of the oldest hunting and fishing preserves in North America, Kenauk has some of the best quality trout fishing and accommodations anywhere in the world!

And since it is completely private and self-managed, Kenauk has the privilege of stretching the seasons a bit. This year – with the unseasonably warm weather and early thaw – the Montebello-area trout fishery will be opening its trout lakes on April 16th – the earliest season opener in the club’s history, and welcomed news for trouters looking for a jump on the season.

Me with a nice looking Kenauk brook trout:

 

With their own full functioning trout hatchery, Kenauk keeps all their lakes stocked with spunky, well-managed strains of brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and splake. 

My girls checking out the fish at the hatchery:

 

I have stayed in many different chalets over the years and I must say they are all top notch. Fairmont Kenauk boasts both quality and seclusion…as most chalets are located on their own private lake.

A typical Kenauk Chalet:

 

 

Thanks to the ongoing efforts of General Manager Bill Nowell and his staff, Fairmont Kenauk remains one of the top trout destinations around. Not only is Bill GM, he is also manager of recreation and fisheries, a biologist and an accomplished fly-fisherman in his own right.

 The best part about Kenauk for me, above all else, is the fact that this magnificent slice of heaven is a mere 40 minutes from my home and has everything a trout fishing enthusiast could ever want.

Perhaps I’ll see you there this spring at one of the many hot trout lakes! 

 For the latest ice conditions and a list of the lakes and chalets available for the April 16th opening, please call (819) 423-5832, or check them out on the web: http://www.fairmont.com/kenauk  

Outdoorsguy

A recent proposal by the United States, which would spell the end of the polar bear hunt in the far north was shot down in a recent CITES vote.

The proposal was rejected by a majority of Governments including Canada with 62 votes against, 48 in favour and 11 abstentions. The majority of the govenments rejected the proposal over concerns it would have a negative impact on indigenous communities that rely on the Polar Bear for their livelihood.  It was found that northern trade practices do not pose a significant threat to the animals.

A disappointed United States emphasised that even a relatively small commercial trade in polar bears in the north could pose considerable pressure to an already stressed population.

I, for one, would have been greatly disappointed had the motion not been shot down.

Any thoughts?

Outdoorsguy