Hunting – Page 2 – The Outdoors Guy

September 24, 2013

Calling all Pickle Lake moose!

For the past couple of weeks, sure-shot dave has been crying to me about an injured shoulder and his concerns over the coming hunting season.

Who would have thought a shoulder injury would turn out to be a good thing!

Thanks to sure-shot for sharing details of a moose hunt in Pickle Lake he’ll likely never forget.(Hope the shoulder is feeling better, dave?)

Calling all Pickle Lake moose – by sure-shot dave

Left my driveway last Friday at 5:35 PM for the long drive to moose camp. 24 hours later we pulled over in Pickle Lake to meet up with the rest of the group. They had flown out to Edmonton to pick up a truck that they had left out there (it’s a long story), and we’re heading back from that direction. Somehow, we only had to wait 15 minutes for them to show up. Back on the road for the final 100 miles of gravel. Blew a tire on the trailer within 10 minutes, after a Nascar style tire change we were back at it. The road follows a hydro line for a good portion of the drive, and there must have been lots of blueberries because there were bears everywhere. A couple of them had us debating getting out of the trucks and sending some lead their way. Problem was that camp wasn’t set up yet, and it was getting late.

We finally arrived at the boat landing about an hour before dark Saturday night. We quickly set up the tent so that we could get some sleep before heading up the river to our final camp location. Sunday morning dawned cold, frosty and a perfect morning for hunting. Too bad we still had all the work to do. We loaded the boats and headed out for the hour long ride to our spot. With the amount of gear and crap we loaded into the boats, you’d think we were going for a month. Got to our spot, everyone got right to work and we got things set up fairly quickly. Then it was off to try and catch dinner, I had a limit of pickerel and a pike in less than 30 minutes. Man I love this lake!!! Slowly the crew dispersed for the evening hunt.

I headed to the spot that I had spent some time in last year, and had been thinking about going back to. It was a bay at the far end of the lake that just had that look and feel to it. Shallow water with lots of feed, and a nice creek that had lots of cover and feed around it as well. It just looked “moosy”. I cut the motor and rowed the final 200 yards because the water was too shallow. Quietly I dragged the boat up on shore and loaded up. Ken lent me his 300 Win Mag Browning BLR again, I know it well by now. As I walked in I saw lots of sign, tracks, droppings, a couple of spots where moose had bedded. Things were looking good. I got set up at the same blow down that I had used last year. I let things settle down and then let out a series of cow calls. It was fairly windy so it was tough to hear any response. I called again after another 20 minutes. Still nothing. Grabbed the horn and let out another set of lonely cow calls.

I put down the horn, and within 5 seconds heard what I thought was a bull grunt right behind me. “Errrrrp”. Nah, my mind is playing tricks on me. It’s less than an hour into the hunt. “Errrrp” again. Huh, I really need to get my mind checked, I think I’m going nuts… “Errrrp”, ok that’s three times now. Maybe I should grab my gun just in case, and turn around to have a look. As I turned around, I saw some movement through the trees about 40 yards behind me. Now my eyes were playing tricks on me… The wind was blowing towards the moose, and I think he winded me because he quit grunting and I didn’t see him anymore.

After about a minute of silence, I decided to go have a closer look. As I walked, I grunted like a bull to hopefully keep from spooking the bull, if in fact he was still around. I walked about 75 yards through the trees looking for any sign of a moose. Then I looked out into the bay, and couldn’t believe my eyes. There, about 150 yards out in the wide open, was a bull moose. He was standing broadside looking back towards me. Just standing there. In the wide open. Just standing there. Bad choice for him. I guess he figured that the quickest, and easiest escape route was out and across to the far side of the bay. I did not feel sorry for him in making such a bad choice…

I scurried to where I could get a clear shot at him. All this time, I’m telling myself “don’t screw this up. This is what you’ve been waiting for for 5 years. He’s out in the open, you’ve got lots of time”. And the last time I checked, moose cannot outrun lead fired from a small cannon. As I got to an opening, he started to trot off, quartering away. I had the gun up, but wasn’t quite ready yet. So I grunted again. He stopped and looked back again. Arm through the sling for a steadier hold, crosshairs on him, breathing controlled, almost ready. He takes off on a trot again. Have I mentioned how I am astounded that an animal that big can trot through the mud like nothing. We’d be stuck, losing our boots in the muck, but he just glides through it.

Anyway, as he starts to trot, I start to squeeze the trigger. Everything slows right down at this point. “Boom”, the gun goes off, and I’m already working the lever to reload. As if in slow motion, the bull buckles, and drops like a sack of potatoes. It’s a sight I will replay in my mind thousands of times. His head drops first, then the rest of his body follows. Ass over tea kettle. And he stays down.

My mind finally realizes that I did it. I finally not only saw a bull moose, but I taught him who’s boss of these woods. At this point, I’m literally doing a happy dance on the shore, and I bet the grin on my face could be seen from a mile away. I’m tempted to go get my things that I left at the blow down, but I wanted make sure he didn’t get up. I wait a full two minutes to make sure. Now the adrenaline kicks in and I realize that my bucket list is one item shorter…

Wayne was hunting close by, and by the time I get my things, row out in the boat and start taking pictures, he’s coming up the bay in his boat. The next five hours are spent towing the bull back to camp, field dressing, quartering and hanging. We figured he weighed somewhere around 1200 lbs live weight. I’m still amazed at the size of a mature moose, and it’s hard to believe that a little piece of lead can drop them in their tracks. Monday we skinned the quarters, and put them in cheese cloth. It was getting warm and the flies would be buzzing. Tuesday it got warmer, and the nights were not cooling off. By Wednesday morning when it was still 16 degrees out, we decided to pack up and head home. The only problem with shooting my bull that early in the hunt, is that we had to cut it short so the meat wouldn’t spoil. I’d do it again in a second though, even though I’m now sitting at my desk, going through a mountain of emails.

Sincerely,

sure-shot dave

September 4, 2013

Heading to hunt camp anyone?

I’m heading back up to the hunt camp this weekend, to put out some trail cameras and poke around a few places. I know I run this same hunt camp post every year, but we all keep coming back so why shouldn’t I!

Ahhhh, ‘Hunt camp’ can mean different things to different people.

One person’s hunt camp could be as basic as a 4-man tent, while for someone else it might be a summer cottage transformed into a makeshift hunt camp when autumn arrives.

Others might be members of a private hunt club or an organized lodge, while some might even choose to go with an outfitter, rent a chalet or a small cabin. You could convert a fishing or trapping camp into a hunt camp in the fall and you know what, it doesn’t really matter.

Regardless of what four-walls make-up your hunt camp, tis the season to celebrate the sport we all know and love in your private little domain. Sharing the experience with friends and hunting companions only serve to enrich the experience.

The hunt camp experience is something only a true hunter has ever known and will ever really understand. Sorry to all animal rights people, environmentalists and other ‘non-hunters’ out there, you simply cannot relate and this post will mean absolutely nothing to you.

Yup, it is a time of year when many other things in our busy lives will take a backseat to this special place. We will dream about it at night and long for that glorious day when we first arrive.

After 33-years of this tradition I realize the hunt camp experience is over in the blink of an eye..so enjoy your time to the fullest and for goodness sake, let it all soak in. You just never know when it could be your last!

Our hunt camp was broken into over the winter and some pukes caused quite a bit of damage, shooting out the glass in all the old hunting pictures just for fun. Dad and the boys were up there this summer to clean it up and fix the damage. These pukes will have a couple of surprises if they try to break in now.

Hey, everyone ready for hunting season…I know I am!

Outdoorsguy

February 4, 2013

Ontario non-native hunters face troubling times

If the recent land claim with Algonquin’s of Ontario goes through, a large parcel of eastern Ontario will be handed over to the aboriginal community.

In a nutshell, the deal would see the transfer of 117,000 acres of Ontario Crown land to 10 different Algonquin communities. Although no private property is said to be expropriated, there is also a cash component to the deal of $300 million.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that any non-native hunting (or trapping) camps located within these 117, 000 acres would be adversely affected. Anyone who currently hunts in this region can expect there to be issues and concerns, although what they might be has yet to be determined.

The aboriginal land claim dispute has been a hotbed issue for many years, and now that this pustule pimple has finally come to a head, non-native hunters are fearing the worst.

Without even knowing all the details, it is a fair assumption to say that sparks are about to fly. I am sure glad that my hunt camp isn’t located in the area in question.

Stay tuned for a lot more on this issue…

Outdoorsguy

January 8, 2013

Happy New Year from Safari Club International

Thanks to Bob Valcov(above) – Director of Safari Club International (SCI) Canada for the great letter he sent, on behalf of all hunters across the country!

Cheers Bob and keep up the great work!

January 7, 2013

Hug a Hunter

To Jeff Morrison – Outdoors Guy

As we go forward into this new year, it is time to recognize and show appreciation for everything Canadian hunters do to promote wildlife conservation across our great country. It is time to hug a hunter. I borrow the term from an ad campaign in Colorado.

Hunters have been and continue to be willing to pay the price in terms of volunteer time and in hard cash to protect wildlife and its habitat while others either pay lots of politically-correct lip service or, even worse, simply take the outdoors for granted.

Hunters do more for conservation than any other group. In fact, hunter-founded conservation organizations are principally responsible for bringing back North American wildlife that was almost extinct a century ago. Modern hunters in North America have never caused a wildlife species to become extinct, endangered, or even threatened. The truth is, every game species that is hunted has increased in number. Hunters most probably saved deer, elk, bear and waterfowl from extinction.

Payments for hunting and fishing licenses are the main method of financing the management and protection of wildlife and their habitats. Hunting and fishing are essential tools in wildlife management to maintain healthy and diverse populations of wildlife. Hunting and fishing develop a sense of personal accountability for Canada’s natural resources within individuals.

Hunter-based conservation organizations contribute millions to conservation projects. Last year, SCI Foundation alone granted $400,000 to North American wildlife projects; more than $4 million over the last ten years. One of these worthy projects, for example, is the Newfoundland Caribou Strategy. Over five years, the SCI Foundation has granted $250,000 to investigate the decline of woodland caribou in Newfoundland & Labrador; in other words, to establish the sound scientific evidence upon which intelligent future management decisions can be based.

It would be a serious mistake to discount the huge contribution made by Canadian hunters to the conservation of our wildlife and its habitat. So give a hunter a hug and thank them for their support of nature.

Sincerely,

Bob Valcov.

Director: Safari Club International-Canada.

Suite 200, 440 Laurier Ave. W./Ave. Laurier O.,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1R 7X6; Tel: 613-683-LYNX (5969); www.SCI-Canada.ca

December 5, 2012

Hunting deer with trail cameras

Well, hunting season has come and gone – for me at least. I realize there are still some hunting opportunities left but, sadly, I haven’t any time for them. How far off is retirement again?

Thank goodness for my trail cam hunting; the closest thing to real hunting I’ve found yet. Planning out a good trailcam strategy and location, I’ve discovered to be very much like hunting itself.

You need to understand whitetail patterns and travel habits, and setting up camera position & location can be compared to choosing the proper stand location. The actual photos and vids you acquire would be to hunting, akin to lining-up the shot and making the decision when to pull the trigger.

You see where I’m going with this?

Also, trail-camming is similar to hunting in that there is, certainly, some luck involved but as you become more skilled, the better the images you will get. Sure, there is such thing as beginner’s luck with hunting, but it is also common knowledge that the more experienced hunter will have, on average, more opportunities to harvest game than those with little experience.

Throughout the year I run just 2 trailcams around my place , however, once December arrives I’ll put out 2 or 3 more to cover different areas as deer travel patterns change.

The more the merrier I always say and, as luck would have it, Bushnell has just sent me two new models to test- out. The Trophy Cam HD and the X8.

Here are some of the more interesting images I’ve taken this fall. Although I pride myself on knowing the look and names of practically every deer I photograph around my place, I was surprised to discover a big buck I had never seen before. Mrs Outdoors Guy named him ‘Silver’ and he’s a real beauty as you’ll see….

Happy trail-camming and enjoy!

(This young bull was photographed on the trail beside our hunt camp, while the moose hunters were in the camp having breakfast. They never saw this bull during the season)

(In Sep this black bear stopped by my deer camp feeder for a nibble and a close-up look at my trail cam)

(This is the same bear 1 minute later trying to bite said trail cam! Thank goodness for my Bushnell Bear Safe and cable lock, the camera wasn’t damaged or moved. And since this cam stays up for 2 months without being checked, it remained in position until deer season!)

(This coyote had a good snack at my camp feeder. Notice the Acorn Rage attached to tree in lower left)

(Coyote then notices the Acorn Rage attached to the tree..now what’s he going to do?)

(This photo shows same coyote after he tore the Acorn Rage block off the tree. Keep in mind this things are attached with a heavy screw!)

(Now on to the cameras around my place. Here’s a nice pic of my old pal Garfield – now an impressive 5 year old buck! Garfield was born in my back field and can be recognized by tell-tale white markings on his hind legs)

(Another picture of Garfield at same camera location)

(Here’s the new buck we’re calling ‘Silver’. Not sure if he and Garfield have met personally, but I’m sure they will soon as I suspect there is a hot doe around!)

(A little while after Silver went through, this guy was on his tail..bugger!)

November 14, 2012

Hunting season from heaven – life of a deer magnet

Well, I can honestly say this year I was the lucky one – a deer magnet if you will.

You know that hunter who’s always in the right place at the right time? The one they call ‘the deer magnet’?

I have no real explanation as to why some guys have all the luck some years while others struggle just to catch a glimpse of Cervid. Some seasons, it seems, I am that lucky hunter while other years I have been on the losing end.

This year was my year!

From the very first day of this deer season I had a gut feeling I was in store for something marvelous. First chase of opening day and a dandy 4-point yearling strolled out to me at the end of a lake I was watching. He got to within 10 feet of where I was sitting and never even knew I was in town. I knew this little buck well from photos I had seen on my trail cam, and I had no intention of raising my rifle on him; especially first thing on opening morning.

I sat there quietly and enjoyed the sight of this young lad as he disappeared up the hill behind me…man, these are the moments I live for.

The following day, we hunted the top of one of our favourite 2000 ft. mountains and I watched in amazement as yet another 4 point buck bounded his way to within 50 feet me. It was a different forkhorn this time. This guy was bigger and sported a slightly larger rack, yet I let him pass hoping other hunters might do the same if they saw him.

Call it what you want, but choosing to pass on first year bucks is something I do in the best interest of our (recovering) deer herd. I have hopes that by letting these yearlings walk they will, one day, grow up to produce a damn fine progeny; seeding the deer woods with quality genetics. We have gone home empty-handy several years as a result…but so be it.

Ok, so they say some guys have all the luck. By the end of the first week of deer season I had seen, by far, the most deer of anyone and two bucks to boot, while the remaining four members of my gang saw scant few deer and no antlers at all.

It’s just luck I tell myself, as we prepare for our annual luxury trip to Fairmont Kenauk in Montebello, and surely it will run out eventually.

First day of the hunt at Kenauk and my deer numbers are going sky-high. On one chase alone I had 8 deer come out to me including two more bucks; one a spike and the other another forkhorn. Man, I’ve now had 4 bucks make an appearance at close range and I still haven’t raised the rifle.

The boys were getting a little ticked at this point. I chased, I sat, I stalked and it didn’t matter, the deer were all around me it seemed like I was the Pied Piper or something; leading the mice out of the town. Was it something I was wearing?

To be honest it was a bit weird…and somewhat of a burden to carry.

The final day of our season arrived and I promised my 81-year old father that HE would sit in the hotspot where the 8 deer had been all over me the day before. I explained that I would take the post he had and put him in my special ‘hotspot’, with hopes of sharing the wealth…

The chase was on!

I could hear the chasers(doggers, as some call them) on the radio commenting on the fresh buck sign from the day before. I watched the knoll in front of me with another more watchful eye over in my father’s direction with finger’s crossed.

Today has to be HIS day, I thought.

Surely if the big buck which had been making all the rubs and scrapes were around, he would appear and practically run my father over in his hotspot. My poor Dad had seen but 1 whitetail all season long and he deserves this chance at a nice buck.

But alas, as irony and my fate as deer magnet won out, I heard the rustling of leaves on the knoll above me and the glimpse of antler caught my attention.

OMG, here sneaking down the ridge, was one of the biggest set of ivory white antlers I’d ever laid eyes on!

“How could this be?” I thought to myself. “This isn’t the hotspot, the oldman is supposed to see this deer over there!!” A small but persistent wave of guilt come over me.

Finally, instinct took over as I picked out a semi-clear window in the brush I figured this majestic beast would step into. And as my continuous knack for doing everything right won out, the deer stopped into the very spot I had chosen; as if on cue.

Within seconds it was all over and the most beautiful 10-pointer I had ever seen was down and as I walked up to this magnificent beast I knew this had to my destiny this year, and I just couldn’t fight fate. As much as I tried to share my good fortune as deer magnet with others, it simply did not work.

This deer was a very special animal indeed and not your run-of-the-mill whitetail. He sported an almost perfectly symmetrical 5X5 crown with long sweeping main beams and even showed signs of piebald pigmentation along his lower legs and hooves. Two hooves were half white and half brown. It almost looked like the old fellow was wearing white slippers!

Yes, some guys have all the luck and this year was my time. The way things go, next fall lady luck may shine out of someone else’s arse. Man I hope so, I’m not sure I handle the pressure any more. It’s like the weight of the world and extremely tiring to be so popular…

How can one member of a hunt party see 5 bucks during the season, and the rest of the guys see none? I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure…

Anyhow, enjoy these images of one magnificent whitetail buck that wouldn’t have been possible without the other guys in my gang – Rathwell Morrison, Ken Campbell & Jim Bindon.

Next fall, it could just as easily be someone else who plays deer magnet, but just in case, I told the boys I would be leaving my rifle at home….

Outdoorsguy(AKA Deer Magnet)

P.S. A special thanks to Bill Nowell & Celyne Fortin of Fairmont Kenauk and Denyse Murphy of Tourism Quebec.

(The look of an exhausted but very proud deer magnet)

November 9, 2012

The Farmer's Deer – by Maple

Thanks to our pal ‘Maple’ for sending in this awesome story of his experience during the shotgun season. Man, some guys have all the luck!!

The Farmer’s Deer – by Maple

Last Monday was the start of shotgun season in our neck of the woods. As I was too comfy to get up before dawn, I only got to the farm about 9AM and started stripping bark off cedar logs for a wood-client of the farmer.

The temps had dropped to -8 C overnight, up to zero during the day, and sunny. I worked at that ’till 2:30 then drove back to the wood’s edge before walking to my stand. Wouldn’t ya know it, now that turkey season is over, they’re all over the place.

While we were trimming trees, the farmer had mentioned that he’d bought a new chest freezer and was expecting delivery next week. He quipped that it’d be filled with venison soon. Now, I didn’t know if he was joking or not, but I took it as a suggestion. He doesn’t hunt much at all and his wife doesn’t care for venison. She added that he’d be eating a lot of raw venison if that were the case ’cause she wasn’t going to cook it for him. Go figure. Guess she’s a beef and potatoes girl.

Monday as I was walking in I saw three deer in a group with no guaranteed shot (I’m a lousy free-hand shooter), so I let them scamper into the trees hoping they would return later.
No such luck as that was all I saw for the day.

Tuesday morning I was back working with the farmer, bucking up and splitting wood; sugar maple, yellow birch and black cherry. I hate splitting yellow birch. We managed about 4 cords. Come 2:30 we quit and suited up in hunter orange. His was pretty faded. I headed into the back stand again while he went to a slight ridge he said he had not hunted on since he was a teenager. I was still, cool, and I took it all in.

(Note the laneway from the right)

About 4:10, I closed my eyes for a few minutes. Don’t know how often I did that, but the last time I eased one eye open a slit, there was a deer!

No telling quite what, but he was slinking up the side of the lane to the right with spruce and such between he and I. Every once in a while I caught the glint of bone on his head. He was a good one! Whatever scent he was following was most certainly that of gas and bar oil from my boots while walking in.

He took forever!! I had the time to take my pounding pulse (110) and calm my breathing somewhat. What was he doing!!?? What was he smelling? Why didn’t he walk? I could have taken a 50 yard facing shot through twigs, but waited. I knew he had to turn even if he was going to leave…as long as I didn’t spook him. I didn’t want that!

Finally, he decided on something with his cervid mind, and plodded to the right to skirt some low spruce. I was ready. At the shot I saw his side ripple and he stumbled. He circled back into the bush and I saw him falter 40 yards away, carrying some serious headgear with him.

I called the farmer and he came over to put his tag on the deer. He said the deer weren’t this big when he was a teenager. Heck, my deer weren’t this big ever! Field dressed at 218.

I hope his freezer arrives on time.

October 9, 2012

My favourite hunting companion

(imacdon and his old pal Duke with a nice spread of mallards)

Hunting means different things to different people. For some it is about tradition and camaraderie, while for others it’s about spending time with that one special hunting companion.

For imacdon, his hunting companion Duke has always been his favourite, and the fact that he walks on four legs instead of two makes no difference.

My Favourite Hunting Companion – by imacdon

The best hunting partnership I’ve ever had is drawing to a close. He’s never let me down, never come up with an excuse why he could not go hunting, was always the first in the truck or the boat, was always eager to share a lunch. He was never the first to quit.

Last weekend’s hunt was like the previous 11 seasons. I had loaded up the boat the night before with decoys and gear. Even though I had to help my elderly partner into the boat, neither of us seemed to noticed.

I paddled the fourteen footer about a quarter mile away into a swampy bay and started throwing decoys. Pulled the boat up on shore. As was customary, my partner would not move in the boat until I was out and the boat pulled up. I offered my partner a hand out of the boat but he waved me off.

He did not need any help.

We selected our spots, me setting up in some tall grass and him setting up a few feet in front. We did not have long to wait, a pair of mallards flew in over the decoys, I got lucky with a double. My Partner, not to be out done, jumped in the water to retrieve the closest bird. Once in hand he departed for the second.

I had to give him a few hand signals to get him in the area of the second bird. Three more birds came in as singles with the same outcome. It was a great morning.

My partner and I picked-up and decided to call it a day, this time he let me help him in the boat.

July 20, 2012

Ontario Antlerless Validation Tag Allocation

Further to my Outdoors Column in yesterday’s Ottawa SUN, I would like to make some important clarification to the deer seal information provided.

Thanks to some guidance from Mary Dillon – Management Biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources in Kemptville, I realize that I may have given some erroneous advice with regards to deer tag allocation this year.

I appologize for any confusion(or exictement) this may have caused.

The table below describes the 2012 Antlerless Validation Tag allocation and the Additional Deer Seal allocation, by WMU. There are, actually, only two WMUs (66b and 69b) in Kemptville District with Additional Deer Seals available for purchase.

WMU	2012 Antlerless Allocation *	2012 Additional Deer Seals *
63a	2000 (1500)	0 (0)
63b	600 (600)	0 (0)
64a	2100 (1350)	0 (0)
64b	215 (450)	0 (0)
65	2600 (2500)	0 (0)
66a	800 (650)	0 (0)
66b	30	30 (30)
67	700 (1000)	0 (0)
69b	350 (300)	100 (100)

May 25, 2012September 5, 2017

2012 Ford F-150 the Country Boy Cadillac

truckpic1

Fresh air, clean water and nature’s wondrous bounty all at your doorstep. Yes, growing up in the country certainly has its benefits and I’m proud to say I have been apart of that lifestyle.

Every country boy (& girl) I know either currently owns a truck or has owned one at one time. Quite a few city folks own trucks as well. I have owned two in my life and both of them were Fords. Of course that was many moons ago, and the vehicle I often refer to as a Country boy Cadillac has come a long way since those days.

I consider myself fortunate to be a country boy; fortunate to have an upbringing which brought me deep into God’s country, and back, on more outdoor adventures than you can shake a stick at. One of those special trips is my annual trout fishing trip into Northwestern Quebec in search of nature’s most perfect fish. It is 23rd anniversary of this trip with my father and brother-in-laws.

To gain proper access to nature’s perfect fish ( in case you didn’t know) requires not only good knowledge and equipment, but and a good solid truck as well. This year I was fortunate beyond belief when my old pal Kristine Simpson of Thornley Fallis asked if I would like to try out the new Ford F-150 with the EcoBoost engine?

“Ummmmm, I dunno Kristine. lemme think about it” I said with a smirk.

“OK, I’m in!”

Before I even had the bug spray or fishing stuff packed for my trip, I was Googling the new F-150. Man, there is a pile of info available on this bad boy!

The new Ford F-150, as I discovered, is not unlike the F-150 of days-gone-by except for one big difference – the new EcoBoost engine!!

What is the EcoBoost engine? Well, it is something best enjoyed while pointed northward out-of-town, and driven as fast as humanly(& legally) possible.

The EcoBoost has a feeling not unlike other power plants, that is until you step on the gas, and if you open the window while driving on a bush road, my brother-in-law and I agree, the EcoBoost actually has a similar hum to a jet plane taking off. You can hear and feel the old school ‘spooling’ of the turbo engine; as it quickly and efficiently builds power.

All that to say, the trip was off on the right foot once the truck was packed and loaded on our 5-day trip into God’s country. Yes, the interior layout and comfort was something to behold. Bright and roomy and I almost felt a bit guilty for getting it dirty.

The F-150 FX4 model boasts a lot of great amenities including full leather, Sync command system, Sirius satellite radio, generous drink holders and fully adjustable electric seat controls with lumbar support. (Man, my back loved that)

When it comes to seating and storage space, the new F-150 FX4 comes with comfortable folding rear seats which tuck neatly away against the back wall. Since we usually travel two men per vehicle, this feature is great for allowing extra camping and fishing gear to be stored inside during the trip. (And trust me; I had stuff piled to roof.)

Another feature of the FX4 I really enjoyed was the pop-out step sides, which allowed for great access into the truck box from the sides. When loading and unloading the vehicle, having a leg-up from the side is a real bonus!

Once we arrived at our lakeside paradise in Northwestern Quebec, the F-150 seemed to fit right into the surroundings with its rugged outdoor appeal. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of style and class when you’re roughing it in the wilderness. That’s what I kept telling the boys anyway.

The tailgate also made a super place to ‘cop of squat’ after a long day on the water, room enough for three tired (but happy) campers.

For those who are into statistics, the new Ford has plenty of impressive ones. The direct-injection twin-turbo 6-cylinder has a tow and payload rating (5,125 kg/11,300 lb and 1,388 kg/3060 lb respectively. As far as gas mileage goes throughout the trip, the truck saw as high as 18 L/100 KM in fuel consumption, but averaged somewhere around 16 L/100 KM, I would say.

All in all, the new Ford f-150 FX turned out to be a worthy fishing companion and a head-turner as well. The truck performed flawlessly, got great gas mileage and held up like a charm to the punishment of 4 hours on some of the toughest roads in Quebec. (& without shaking your kidneys too much)

The 2012 F-150 EcoBoost was a huge part of this year’s fishing trip and from I’ve seen, would be perfectly suited for any hunting or fishing trip you can think of. (And I can think of a lot)

The Outdoors Guy