With summer drawing to a close and fall just around the corner, resident fish and wildlife are transitioning towards the changing season.
Seasonal movement can already be observed among white-tailed deer population in parts of the National Capital Region. With the bucks’ antler development all but complete, resident males will soon gather for the annual meet and greet with the boys. In this sizing-up period, bucks meet in groups to compare antlers size and establish the pecking order. Aquatic life is also feeling the change. Fish species like the mighty muskellunge, and northern pike, having spent much of the summer in deeper water, will slowly begin to appear in the shallows.
Late summer is one of the best times to observe wildlife on the move so be on the lookout, and have your camera and binoculars ready.
Hunt camp upgrade
As fall approaches, I enjoy heading off to hunt camp to tackle off-season projects. This weekend, along with some scouting, the boys and I did some crucial restocking of the woodshed with two cords of prime maple firewood, in preparation for colder weather and hunting season ahead. I am also pleased to report that I finally completed a project goal of getting running water inside the camp. There has always been an incredible natural mountain spring less than 100 feet from camp, and it was my dream to build a spring box and install an inside water pump. After ordering and assembling the required hardware including foot valve, classic hand pump and numerous fittings, I am proud to say that gin clear spring water now flows from the pump spout! Hey, any excuse to spend more time at hunt camp is all right by me. Has anyone else completed some off-season hunt camp work? Send me the details and I will share your story right here next month.
Petawawa Gun & Hunting Show
Be sure to check out Dave Arbour’s second annual Petawawa Gun & Hunting Show coming up next month! The show is being held again this year at the Petawawa Civic Centre. Show hours are Saturday, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Admission to the show is $7 with children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. It is so great to have events of this nature in the Upper Ottawa Valley! Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event. For more information on the Petawawa Gun & Hunting Show: http://www.valleysportsmanshow.com/PetawawaGunandHunting_TradeShow
Coyote conundrum continues
Anyone who subscribes to wildlife management understands that conservation includes predator control in the case of the eastern coyote, or what is now referred to as the North American Urban Coyote Problem. In my case living within the City of Ottawa limits, a firearms ‘no discharge zone’ means I am forced to watch theses marauding ‘yotes’ run rampant across my property with my hands tied. Last week a large coyote stood on my back lawn watching me as I made my morning coffee, before looping off into the backfield. With Ontario’s protection of the hybrid Algonquin Coywolf in recent years, the wily eastern coyote has fallen under the same umbrella and protected further.
Hunting around the corner
With hunting season just around the corner, please drop me a line with your plans for moose and deer season. A local hunting story will be featured here in the October installment of the Outdoors Guy. The featured story will also win a prize! Drop me a line: [email protected]