Tag: FHR Mag

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Bass fishing season arrives in the Ottawa Valley

Submitted photo</p><br /><br /> <p>Ed Puddephatt, owner of Paddletale's in Winchester, with a hefty bass caught during the Renegade Bass Classic on Seeley's Bay.

Submitted photo Ed Puddephatt, owner of Paddletale’s in Winchester, with a hefty bass caught during the Renegade Bass Classic on Seeley’s Bay.


Bass might be the last fishing season to open each year but with a huge following it remains one of the most popular sport fish in Canada.

The bass season in the Ottawa Valley – Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15 – gets underway this Saturday, the fourth Saturday in June, two weeks later than most other fish species. From a conservation perspective, the later season allows smallmouth and largemouth bass time to spawn and for young bass to mature. Other fish species like walleye and trout play no role in guarding of the eggs so their seasons always open earlier in the spring. Anyone who fishes the Ottawa River, or Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 12 as its known, may start bass fishing this Friday. If anyone’s looking for me this weekend, I’ll be in Cobden hoping to hook a biggie!

Take note that Canada’s premiere bass fishing series; Renegade Bass, also launches its 2017 season this weekend with the first qualifier event on Newboro Lake. For info on Renegade Bass visit http://www.renegadebass.com/

Ontario Family Fishing Week

The goal of Ontario Family Fishing week is introducing new anglers to the special activity we call sport-fishing. Between July 1 and 9 anglers are encouraged to plan a fishing day at your nearest stream, pond, river or lake and be sure to bring along ‘the fam’! As a way of reminding folks the recreational value of our freshwater fishery, the Ontario government waves the fishing licence requirement for this period 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. Watch for kid’s events planned for Arnprior and Douglas. For more information: http://www.ontariofamilyfishing.com/events/

Deer tag draw

Valley deer enthusiasts are watching the calendar closely as the antlerless deer tag validation draw closes on June 30. There are three application methods available although your chances at a tag remain the same, whether you apply by telephone, Internet or at a Service Ontario outlet. To apply over the phone dial 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: http://www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/apply-big-game-draw

Big money event

The Lefaivre Lions Club is holding its annual bass tournament on the Ottawa River this Saturday, June 24 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. With thousands in cash and prizes up for grabs, the town’s Open Bass Tournament has garnered the attention of anglers from across the region and beyond. The Lions Club hosted its first Annual Open Bass Tournament back in 1993, and here we are more than two decades later and the event is bigger than ever. Registration is $200 per boat (teams of two) plus $20 for the big fish prize. For more information: http://www.en.lefaivrelions.com/General-information.page

Big bears are us!

A big congratulation goes out to three members of the Fish, Hunt & Ride Team on their recent Ontario black bear hunts! While stalking his quarry, Brian Houle took an impressive 300 pound bruin at a scant 15 yards. While filming an episode of Canada Hunts in Alberta, Amanda Lynn Mayhew harvested a once-in-a-lifetime black bear from 17 yards. The entire hunt will be televised as part of the 2018 season of Canada Hunts on WildTV. Another FHR team member “Uncle Ted” Nugent also took a trophy black bear last week during his annual Ontario bear hunt at Rick Dickson’s camp near Wawa, Ont. Congrats to Amanda Lynn, Brian and Ted on their successful spring bear hunts.  For more info on Amanda Lynn’s new TV show: https://www.facebook.com/Canadahunts/?fref=mentions

Check out more on Uncle Ted’s at TedNugent.com and on his popular Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/tednugent/posts/ 

You can read Brian Houle’s Spring column in the latest issue of Fish, Hunt & Ride: https://view.joomag.com/fish-hunt-ride-spring-2017/0510083001496149656?short

Ontario’s spring bear hunt was reinstated last year on a trial basis, after an almost 20-year cancellation.

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Pike and walleye season has arrived

Avid angler from Arnprior, Chad Riopelle, with a pair of nice early season walleyes!

Chad Riopelle, of Arnprior, with a pair of nice early season walleyes

 

Anglers in search of northern pike and walleye have been out in full force with both species now fair game in Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15.

Be sure to check the rules and regulations before hitting the water this weekend. If you should accidentally catch another species for which the season is still closed, it must be immediately (and safely) returned to the water. FMZ 15 is very large zone covering much of Northeastern Ontario; extending eastward to the Ottawa River, south to Arnprior, north to Deux Rivieres and west across all of Algonquin Park to Parry Sound. Best of luck in your northern pike and walleye endeavours, I am hoping to land a few myself this weekend in Cobden. Early season northern pike offer great table fare with four to five pound specimens being the best eating size, in my opinion.

Blind Anglers International Tournament

The 27th annual Blind Angler’s International Tournament. (B.A.I.T) is coming to Westmeath this weekend. The region is a fitting spot for such an event in a most beautiful part of the province. Legally blind men and women along with professional anglers will converge at Nangor Resort for a fun-filled weekend of angling. This year’s event kicks off with a dinner at the Westmeath Community Centre and runs from May 26 to 28. The opportunity to learn a new skill or to re-kindle an old passion, serves as a mechanism of rehabilitation for participants in this well-respected event. For more information, http://www.a4lions.ca/bait-tournament. Lion George Burton is this year’s event chairman. Check out beautiful Nangor resort: http://nangorresort.com/?cfid=14694&cftoken=94689391

Conserving trout

In my early days it was always felt that ‘a fish caught was a fish kept’, but it doesn’t need to be that way anymore. To safely release a fragile brook trout requires patience and a soft touch at canoe or boat-side. Barbless hooks and a good set of long-nosed pliers are a must. To witness a beautiful brook trout swimming away after a nice battle is an incredible feeling. Sure, you can catch enough smaller fish to bring home but doing your part for conservation will surely payoff in the end. My family trout trip earlier this month up to valley to Temiscaming, Que. was a hoot. We caught loads of big trout and released 80 per cent of our catch while still enjoying some tasty meals. Practising conservation of the species requires self-control but offers copious long-term reward.

Bear hunt across the river

With all the excitement around pike and pickerel, don’t forget about the spring bear hunt across the river which also got under way this past weekend. Hunters need bear in mind that in certain sectors of the Outaouais the season closes on June 15, two weeks earlier than for rest of the province which allows bear hunting until June 30. With the month of June fast approaching, the once cautious animals will have become accustomed to feeding regularly at bait sites, and with the onset of mating season adult males travel extensively in search of a mate. Both of these factors will have a positive effect on hunter’s success rate. For more information on the bear hunting across the river and the many lodging opportunities, contact the Federation of Quebec Outfitters: https://www.pourvoiries.com/en/

Fish, Hunt & Ride – spring issue

Thanks to FHR team member and Pembroke native Jordan Durocher and his dad, several upper valley and Pontiac stores and shops are currently being stocked with Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine’s spring issue. This issue is all about black bears, gobblers, walleye, trapping, trout fishing and cooking, Uncle Ted Nugent, an exclusive interview with rising Canadian country starlet Meghan Patrick. All this and tons more hunting, fishing and riding action is included. For more information on Fish, Hunt & Ride: http://www.fishhuntandride.ca/

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Ontario wild turkey season, coming right up!

Fish, Hunt & Ride magazine columnist Brian Houle with a nice springtime gobbler.

Fish, Hunt & Ride magazine columnist Brian Houle with a nice springtime gobbler.

With next Monday’s kick-off to the province’s wild turkey season, hunters from across the region are gearing-up for another exciting spring. April 25 has become the new standardized date for launch of the coveted annual spring gobbler season. Thanks to reintroduction programs dating back more than three decades, wild turkey populations across the province have exceeded expectations. Yes, the glorious gobbler has evolved into one of the most prolific (and tastiest) game species around, so you had better get used to them. Hunters need be aware that it is illegal to pursue turkeys within 400 meters of bait that has been deposited, unless the location has been bait-free for at one week. Bait is described as corn, wheat, oats or any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations, are not considered bait. New this year, turkey hunters are permitted to use shot size #7 along with the standard #4, #5 and #6 size shotgun shot. For more information on Ontario spring turkey hunting along with other changes to the spring season: https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary

Scribe heading for trout In three short weeks, I depart on my annual trout fishing adventure with my dad and brother-in-laws, so my mind is currently filled with visions of north wood’s serenity and behemoth brookies. It doesn’t really matter how far you travel so long as you bask in Mother Nature’s springtime spectacle. Playing cards and horseshoes, walking the woods, portaging the canoe and scouting backwoods trails are all part of the experience. For all the avid trout anglers out there, here’s to tight lines, bent rods and monster ‘specs’ as far as the eye can see. Remember to catch your limit but also limit your catch. Fish, Hunt and Ride spring issue on the way! Hunters, anglers and off-road enthusiasts await the arrival of everyone’s favourite magazine with baited breath. The spring issue of Fish, Hunt and Ride is just around the corner and, trust me, it’s bigger and better than ever. Now available at over 200 outlets across eastern Ontario and west Quebec, our exciting spring issue features black bear, spring trout, turkey, ATV events, shed antler hunting, Ottawa fly-fishers, Uncle Ted, an informative interview with Canadian country starlet Meghan Patrick and much more.  Thanks to everyone who showed-up for the FHR Sportsmen’s Show early this month.  It was a huge success and we’re already looking ahead to our next show! For more information on where to find FHR near you, check us out online at http://www.fishhuntandride.ca

Be bear safe While fishing, hunting or camping in bear country this spring, be sure to keep your wits about you. During the trout season I always carry a can of bear spray and though I’ve never used it, it is there at the ready. Statistics show that there are a dozen or so bear attack in North America each year, some of which end in a fatality. Bear spray can be  purchased at local hunting and fishing stores and will provide a bit of extra insurance when travelling in bear country.

Sportsmen Bragging Board Have you gone on a recent hunting or fishing trip and taken some great images? I am looking for some of the most original photos, captured in the great outdoors, for a Readers’ Photo Section here in the Pembroke Daily Observer and for FHR mag as well.If you have some neat pics you would like to share with thousands of like-minded individuals, send them by email to: [email protected]. Be sure to send along a caption as well.

 

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Another exciting deer season!

My annual deer hunt at Kenauk Nature is always the highlight of my year, and this fall was no exception. The famous Montebello, Quebec territory, with its rugged terrain and majestic old growth stands of oak, brings me back year after year.

This particular deer season, as I gazed in amazement at a big mature whitetail buck loping roughshod through the hardwoods in front of me, my entire hunting season culminated in this one brief encounter. The scene was almost surreal as we watched the dark beast break from the comfort of his three does. But this wasn’t the only deer we saw during the deer season. Whitetail numbers, from what we observed, were definitely on the increase in this magnificent land, and back at our family hunt camp too where we spent the first part of the rifle season.

Population on the rebound

The first week of the deer hunt was spent as I have these past 36 years, climbing the peaks around our family camp near Mont Tremblant. I’m happy to report the whitetail population has rebounded swimmingly over the previous fall. We observed several does with twin fawns and the overall deer activity was up from last year. We were encouraged by the amount of deer sign in the way of images on my six trail cameras, as well as tracks in the woods. We chose to pass-up on a yearling buck as we have done in the past, and secretly crossed our fingers that other hunters might do the same. Word on the street is that deer numbers are up in eastern Ontario as well which great news for hunters and conservationists alike

Big buck on the move

As the biggest-bodied buck I’d seen in over 20 years trampled the Kenauk underbrush like matchsticks, my hunting partner Jim and I watched in disbelief.  There was no way in heck we were going to stop this beast and as the reality of the situation sunk-in; we were left scratching our heads. Chalk it up to one more eventful outing in the deer woods. We will be anxious to get back up there next fall with hopes of challenging this old monarch once again. Thanks to Bill Nowell and Celyne Fortin of Kenauk Nature for facilitating another great trip to a ‘little slice of heaven’. To enjoy wilderness at its best and top notch accommodations check out: http://kenauk.com/  For more information on deer hunting across the river, contact Tourism Quebec: 1-877-266-5687

Fish, Hunt & Ride Fall issue

The autumn issue of Fish, Hunt & Ride magazine is now available online; featuring scads of hunting, fishing and riding stories, news, tips and tricks. Fall is about hunting and we really take it to heart in this edition. Fish, Hunt & Ride would also like to welcome a new member of our team; Ashley Rae of SheLovesToFish.com fame. Ashley is a gal who lives and breathes the great outdoors and is as passionate an angler as I’ve ever seen! Be sure to read Ashley’s first column along with great material from our team of experts and specialists. Oh and hey, Ol’ Toothless is celebrating 20 years; read our fall issue for more details: www.fishhuntandride.ca.

Safety first

This time of year with some hunting still on the go, enthusiasts are reminded to be vigilant and take the necessary safety precautions. Remember that hunter orange of a minimum 400 square inches is required and, for Ontario residents, a hunter orange cap as well. Be sure to keep your firearms and ammunition locked away when not in use, and never shoot unless absolutely sure of your target and beyond. It is illegal to shoot from a vehicle or carry a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle, and remember that any hunter who harvests a deer must immediately attach the game seal. A safe hunt is a happy hunt and a careless accident can turn a wonderful day in the woods into tragedy.

Next time

Check out next month’s column for highlights from this year’s deer hunt as well as your Valley ice-fishing primer! Drop me a line anytime with your hunting and fishing news, or stories: [email protected].

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Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine – Summer issue now available!

FHRSUmmer

Hey all you hunters, fisherfolk and ATV enthusiasts out there, the Summer issue of Fish, Hunt & Ride is finally here, fresh off the press and it’s bigger and better all the time!

Now available at more than 200 Outlets across eastern Ontario, Western Quebec and the Laurentians, our exciting new edition features all the summertime action you can shake a stick at.

FHR Magazine celebrates the return of Ontario Spring bear hunt with cover story featuring our columnist ‘Uncle’ Ted Nugent’s trip to Wawa earlier this Spring! We also welcome our new Columnist, well know angler and professional fishing guide; Jamie Pistilli!

You can pick up your copy of FHR in such places as; Barry’s Bay, Killaloe, Forrester’s Falls, Golden Lake and Madawaska up the Ottawa Valley, and across in the Pontiac at Fort Colounge, Gracefield, Low and all points in-between. We even have FHR Magazine available at a number of roadside boxes around town.

For more information on where to find an Outlet near you or to read the latest issue online, check out our website; www.fishhuntandride.ca

Please stop by our Facebook Page as well and let us know what you think of the new issue: www.facebook.com/fishhuntandride

I hope everyone is enjoying a great summer so far?!

 

Outdoorsguy

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Turkey hunters out in full force

My Pembroke column is out in today’s paper for readers up the valley, or online for everyone else:

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2016/04/20/ontario-wild-turkey-hunters-prepare-for-lift-off

Daily Observer columnist Jeff Morrison offers up his take on the great outdoors.

Daily Observer columnist Jeff Morrison offers up his take on the great outdoors.      

 

With Monday’s kick-off to the province’s wild turkey season, gobbler enthusiasts across the Ottawa Valley will be in hot pursuit of beards and spurs.

For thousands of wild turkey hunters next Monday (April 25th) marks the beginning of another coveted spring gobbler season. Thanks to successful reintroduction programs dating back 30 years ago, wild turkey populations across the province have reached sustainable levels. As we have witnessed over the past few years, there are more bird sightings than ever in the valley and around eastern Ontario, and the hunt is improving each spring. The glorious gobbler has evolved into one of the most prolific and tastiest games species around, so you had better get used to them!

Remember that it is illegal to pursue turkeys within 400 meters of any place where bait has been deposited, unless the place has been bait-free for at least one week. Bait is described as corn, wheat, oats or any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait. Following the rules is part of the game and it would be a shame to ruin a great hunt by pushing your luck.

Good luck to all the gobbler gurus’ out there and feel free to drop me a line with news from your area.

Fish, Hunt & Ride Mag, spring issue coming

Hunters, anglers and all-terrain enthusiasts await the arrival of the region’s favourite new magazine with baited breath. The spring issue of Fish, Hunt & Ride is just around the corner and, trust me; it’s bigger and better than ever. Now available at over 130 outlets across Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec FREE of charge, our exciting new issue features black bear, spring trout, steelhead, turkey filming, ATV events, shed antler hunting, fly-fishing tips,  an informative interview with Ted Nugent and much more. By the end of the month you can pick up your copy of FHR in such towns as Barry’s Bay, Killaloe, Forrester’s Falls, Golden Lake and Madawaska up the Ottawa Valley, and across in the Pontiac,  Fort Colounge, Gracefield, Low and all points in-between. For more information on where to find an outlet near you, check out our newly revamped website: http://www.fishhuntandride.ca.

Sportsmen Bragging Board

For truly patient sportsmen there is nothing more gratifying than a fulfilled adventure afield. Whether enjoying time in the woods or on the water with family and friends or out on your own, hunting and fishing adventures are among our most cherished memories. (Mine anyway.) One thing I’ve noticed all hunters and fishermen have in common is the excitement of sharing photographs – be they a traditional ‘grip and grin’ image of a big fish or a prized game animal, or more obscure items of interest in the ‘Great Outdoors.’ One time I snapped a photo of a mink, just as it ran across my hunting boot! I am looking for some of the best and most original photos captured a during hunting or fishing trip, for two Sportsmen Bragging Boards I’m working on: one here in the Pembroke Daily Observer and another one for FHR Mag. If you have some neat images you wish to share with thousands of like-minded individuals, please send them to me by email <[email protected]> along with a caption.

Being bear safe

When travelling in bear country this spring, be sure to keep your wits about you. When portaging up north during the trout season I always carry a can of bear spray and, although I’ve never used it, it is always at the ready! Statistics show there are a dozen or so bear attack attacks in North America each year, and some of them don’t end well. Bear spray can be purchased at local hunting and fishing stores and, keep in mind, that there may be some paperwork to fill-out. Bear spray will provide a bit of extra insurance when travelling in bear country this spring.

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Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine, Spring issue around the corner

FHR-SPRING COVER2

Ok all you hunting, fishing and riding aficionados out there, get ready for the next exciting issue of everyone’s favourite new publication;

Fish, Hunt & Ride magazine!!

Later this month, readers will be treated to more than DOUBLE the articles, news, interviews, tips and coverage of our Launch issue earlier this winter.  Our FHR Writing Team has expanded as well to include 4 new columnists; each one an expert in the areas of ATV/All-terrain vehicles, Fishing, Firearms and Shed Antler Hunting.

Our original line-up of writers which includes ‘Uncle’ Ted Nugent, delved sooooo deeply into the Ontario & Quebec Great Outdoors this time, they barely managed to dig themselves out!

Our distribution has also expanded to include dozens of new convenient outlets around town and far off-the-beaten-path into the Upper Ottawa Valley and Outaouais Region. We’re getting FHR Mag out to more than 130 Outlets now, to the folks who can best be described as  the ‘Diehards’ or, as our Francophone friends refer to as; ‘Nemrods’!  Hoards of new hunters, fishers and riders have also taken-to FHR of late which is encouraging to say the least.

Thanks to all those who made our magazine an instant and overwhelming success – one that (if I do say so myself) is quickly becoming the best magazine the entire Region has to offer! (Its the one I like the best anyway)

I ask you, how can you go wrong with a Team of individuals who live, breathe, love and defend our hunting and fishing heritage until their dying day. And I say that without a word of a lie! (How’s that for dramatic)

So whilst waiting patiently for our Spring issue to arrive at local outlets, do yourself a favour and check-out our newly revamped website: www.fishhuntandride.ca

 To borrow a line from our pal Uncle Ted, this spring we want you all to Fish, Hunt & Ride like you mean it!!

 

Jeff Morrison

*Editor-in-Chief | Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine

Reaching 125,000-200,000 readers each season, every issue.

 

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FISH, HUNT & RIDE MAGAZINE – Fall/Winter Launch finally here!

FHR - LaunchCover JPG

Well folks, the long wait is nearly over…..

I am very proud to introduce the inaugural issue of FISH, HUNT & RIDE Magazine available in newsstands, sports stores and various assorted outlets throughout Eastern ON, Northern ON and Western QC, later this week!

I’d like to take this opportunity of thanking our faithful publisher Mr. Dave Brown, who had the brilliant foresight to expand on success he already enjoyed with Ottawa Outdoors Magazine these past 15 years. If not for Dave’s forward thinking and the idea of ‘completing the outdoor picture’ FISH, HUNT & RIDE Magazine would never have come to fruition.

I would also like to officially thank my Editorial staff – the best damn team of columnists I could have assembled under one magazine cover:  

Amanda Lynn Meyhew, Grant Hopkins, Doug Phillips, Brian Houle, Grant Bailey, Sheila Ascroft, Don Wilcox, Ed Hand, Jordan Durocher and last but certainly not least everyone’s favourite uncle, the Motor City Madman himself,  Mr. Ted Nugent!

Without this incredible team of highly-skilled and accomplished writers, hunters, guitar players, anglers, cyclists, scientists, trappers, talk show hosts, ATV’er, conservationists, journalists and Spirit Bloodbrothers, NONE of FHR would ever have been possible!

Thank you, thank you and thank you!!!!

We look forward to hearing from you (the reader) with ideas and suggestions on future issues. Check out our website: fishhuntandride.ca and look for us(& like us) on Facebook!

Yours in the Outdoors,

Jeff Morrison

Editor-in-Chief – FISH, HUNT & RIDE Magazine