Tag: FPQ

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Celebrate your hunting heritage during whitetail season

A mature whitetail buck tends to a doe as she approaches estrus.

With the familiar scent of white-tailed deer season in the air, sportsmen everywhere are gearing up for the most anticipated time of year.

Deer enthusiasts of Eastern Ontario and west Quebec are chomping at the bit with the ‘pre-rut’ period now upon us. This special time of preparation and anticipation in the deer world is followed by the whitetail rut in early to mid-November. Ungulates like deer and moose are polygamous by nature with males hoping to breed copious females over the next month or so. During this pre-rut, bucks will alter their daily routine in preparation for the active few weeks that follow. As does enter estrus, bucks usually stop feeding completely to focus on the task at hand. In the autumn deer woods, love always comes before lunch.

Each year around this time a hunter’s thoughts transcend regular consciousness to become one with nature, one with the deer woods. It is difficult to put into words what the whitetail season means to those who participate, year after year. It is our hunting heritage after all and we must keep the tradition alive. As I celebrate my 37th year at deer camp with my aging 87-year-old dad and a dwindling number of hunting companions, I am reminded of some truly cherished memories from the past nearly four decades. Enjoy each deer season to its fullest and help preserve hunting for future generations, you never know when it could be your last.

Deer hunting in Quebec

One deer trip I look forward to greatly is at Quebec’s Kenauk Nature. The famous Montebello-area hunting preserve is a historic paradise with rugged terrain and majestic old-growth forests. I have been fortunate to take some magnificent bucks at Kenauk over the years but, as most deer hunters know, it’s not all about the harvest. Getting out in the crisp fall air coming together as a group, strategizing and pouring over topographic maps with hopes of positioning yourself for a chance at a trophy, is what it’s all about. If a memorable whitetail hunt is what you’re after, keep Kenauk, or one of the many other great Quebec Outfitters, in mind. For more information on Kenauk Nature: http://kenauk.com/activities/hunting/

If you’re considering an out-of-province hunt this fall for a change of pace, visit the Québec Outfitters Federation: https://www.pourvoiries.com/en/hunting-quebec/species/white-tailed-deer  for a plethora of hunting and lodging information. Happy hunting one and all!

New website – Deer hunt story contest!

I invite all hunting and fishing enthusiasts who have not done so already, to visit my new website; The Outdoors Guy. Check out my ‘New Blog’ page and share your favourite deer hunting story for a chance at a great prize package. Each person who contributes a brief story (approximately 100 words) will be entered into a draw for a Tinks Hunting Scent package ($100 value) which includes cover scents, #69 doe-in-rut buck lure, natural and synthetic lures and other assorted goodies. Drop by my new website for a peak and watch for a Blog Post entitled “Favourite Deer Hunt”. The winning story will be awarded by random draw and announced in early December. Visit: https://www.theoutdoorsguy.ca/ for more information.

Safety first

Although serious accidents are rare during the hunting season the occasional mishap does occur. Perhaps our greatest concern as hunters, apart from falling asleep in the tree stand, would be muscle strain and body fatigue. After trekking eight kilometres or more up over hill and dale each day, aches and pains are part of the deal and injury a possibility. Simple stretching exercises in the morning will help get the old body loosened up and ready for an enjoyable day in the backwoods. There’s a reason why your dog stretches before they get up in the morning. Good luck and be safe out there.

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Moose hunt just around the corner

My Outdoors Guy column is out today in the Pembroke Daily Observer, in print and online:

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2017/09/14/the-outdoors-guy-moose-hunting-just-around-the-corner

 

For those who missed it:

(Brian Houle of Stittsville poses proudly with the giant bull moose he harvested in the North Bay-area during bow season)

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In search of the black ghost – my first bear hunt

For generations, the pursuit of black bears has been a tradition enjoyed by many. The majestic bear has long been shroud in mystery and mystique, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who sees one. These animals are noble, intelligent and as tough as nails. Virtually every outdoorsman I know can recall in vivid detail, a graphic black bear encounter.

This may explain part of the bear’s allure. I have to admit I was one of those people so intrigued with these beasts that I just had to see what the hubbub was about. I had been an avid moose and deer hunter for 20 years at the time, but never attempted a black bear hunt.

It was year 2000, and I was excited for the prospect of my very first black bear hunt! It would offer a new hunting experience for me. Plans were laid and the trip was promptly booked with one of Quebec’s most well-established black bear outfitters; Domaine Shannon. Once all the formalities taken care of I was anxious for the excitement to begin.

Two evenings had passed with no bears in sight. As darkness approached like a slow moving cloud on my last evening of the hunt, I watched intently over my bait-site. “No sign of bear movement yet,” I thought to myself, while attempting to quietly swat away the pesky black-flies digging into my wrist. Here I was, perched high above the lush forest floor in an enclosed camouflaged tree stand, waiting for “ol blackie” to appear below me.

What a glorious place this was.

It took my guide’s intensive homework and planning to select the stand location for this final hunt. The distance to the bait was considerably shorter than with previous stands that week, with the goal of hopefully allowing my father (the photographer) to gather some footage of an approaching bear. At least that was the plan. After waiting patiently for three hours, and watching the odd raven pick at loose scraps around the bait site, I was beginning to grow doubtful of seeing a bear.

I checked my watch. It was 9 p.m., and still no sign of any bears. As I examined the hunt area more closely with my binoculars, a network of well-used bear trails converging at the bait was plainly visible. It appeared as though several animals had visited this location regularly but where were they all hiding?

Ten minutes later, a “swishing” sound emanated from the direction of the bait. I leaned over to my Dad, “there’s something down there!” my voice cracked. I had a gut feeling that a bear was finally approaching downwind. I continued to strain my eyes and ears hoping to catch a glimpse of any movement. All was silent.

Suddenly without warning, an ominous black figure moved across in front of the bait like a ghost, in complete silence. My guide had explained earlier that these bears are so familiar with their surroundings; they are able to approach the bait without so much as breaking a branch.

My dark visitor virtually blocked out the remaining light for a moment. “Oh my God, it’s a bear!” I thought to myself. My heart began to race and my palms were perspiring. I would have to act quickly if I wanted to take him. The black object mysteriously avoided the bait, and was more intent on scent-checking the area first.

“I think he is moving in our direction” my Dad whispered in my ear, sending chills down my spine. The dark creature then stopped and swiveled around to resume his course towards the bait. I held the sights behind the massive shoulder and slowly squeezed. In a matter of seconds it was all over. My body was trembling, as I climbed down the stand to collect my trophy. It was truly a magnificent and impressive animal and would be my very first black bear, a boar weighing 180 pounds with the prettiest coat I had ever laid eyes upon.

Such an awesome hunting experience with a bear outfitter is what draws sportsmen from all over to pursue these animals. Many top quality outfitters in Quebec and Ontario as well cater to hunters interested in pursuing these elusive beasts, and for good reason.

Black bears are a formidable adversary and quite plentiful. My outfitter, as with many of the province’s quality establishments, offers comprehensive bear hunting & fishing packages. They also have started providing a guaranteed bear hunt.

Thanks to sound management techniques by the province’s biologists and the outfitters themselves, Quebec’s bear population continues to flourish. The black bear is truly a provincial icon, and will continue to wander the northern bush for future generations to enjoy.

For those in search of the mysterious “black ghost,” one need not venture any farther than the province of Quebec. To book a bear hunt through one of Quebec’s many Outfitters, contact the Federation of Quebec Outfitters: https://www.pourvoiries.com/en/outfitters-list/