Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: CMR on February 01, 2007, 09:14:00 AM
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Been thinking about doing an archery (traditional) moose hunt up in Ontario.
Anyone have any suggestions as to a lodge, guide, resort, outfitter...etc?
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I have heard that Ontario has poor numbers and poor overall heard health.
They have a policy of giving everyone a calf tag, and giving only certain outfitters cow and bull tags. As a result: 1) there are only a few outfitters that can guide enough hunters each year to really get good at it, 2) these outfitters can charge more than the others, and 3) the young moose get killed before they can grow.
You might want to look at Quebec or New Foundland.
On a side note, I have been thinking of doing a similar trip, but can't find anyone to go with me! I, too, am in SE MI. If you are interested in another member of your crew, let me know. I might be interested.
- Brett
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It is sad to say Brett, but you may be right in some areas, Alot of it has to do with native hunting..this bugs me because I am part Algonquin myself.
the natives hunt when they want , how they want, from roads, out of the back of trucks, at night, etc.
This has taken a real toll on some areas moose pops.
With that being said, the further north you go, away from the roads, the better hunt you will have.
We still have alot of monster bulls up there.
My personal opinion is that natives should be governed by the same game laws we have.
Like I said, I am Alogonquin by heritage , but I think our Government has turned a blind eye and given the native groups what they want to them happy.
Happens everyday up here.
And it is an ongoing problem.
BD
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Wow...din't know about the native hunting issue and moose population.
Well, there goes that idea........
My hunting buddy and I are planning on a caribou hunt in Quebec within a few years.....like when his youngest is out of college.
We thought about the moose hunt because its so close to Mich.
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Not all areas are like that, just make sure that Any outfitter you book with doesn'y have to compete with other hunters.
Like I said, Ontario is HUGE! big as 4 or 5 states or more...You can find a good one if you do some looking.
Ask for references and do NOT go with the cheapest.
Good luck, We would love to have you in Ontario.
Remember , there are still lots of real good spots, try checking far NW Ontario.
BD
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Thanks for the info, Big Dog.
I found a website that has alot of info and outfitters in Ontario for moose.
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If you can handle a "do it yourself" hunt (no guides, get the animal out yourself), check out www.goldeneaglecamp.com. (http://www.goldeneaglecamp.com.) It's been a few years since I was there, and we didn't get a moose (due to the weather--got real hot in September), but there were obviously lots of moose there--a couple of big bulls were spotted. Beautiful place, very nice cabins to stay in, very reasonably priced. It's located in Northern Ontario, near Elk Lake in the James River territory.
Chad
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Just remember, you HAVE to go thru an outfitter in Ontario. You can hunt unguided, but you must be thru a registered outfitter.
the place Chad gave you the link to sounds good, James river is remote and should hold some huge bulls. Also it will give you the TRUE wilderness expeience.
Don't overlook Labrador( not to be confused with Newfoundland, Labrador is the mainland)
HUGE unspoiled tracts of prime moose country.
I've seen pics of GIANT bulls from there.
Keep looking, you'll find some good things. I wish you the best, I myself am looking for a hunt this coming Sept. for moose( if not then the next year)
BD
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Big Dog:
Is it normal to see a license for harvesting a "calf"?
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When we buy a moose tag it is automatically a "calf" tag. we have to apply for a cow or bull tag.
A calf is a huge animal come Sept/Oct. 400-550 pounds .
That is the system they have here.
BD
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Thanks for that info!
When I thought "calf" I thought of "fawn"...LOL.
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Sorry Valentine, but I have disagree 1000% with what you have heard.
Ontario's moose heard is stong and there is no health issues. All outfitters that qualify and are in moose wildlife management areas get tags alotted. The only exception being new outfitters that did not buy an existing camp/lodge/guide area, these folks have to wait on a waiting list for who knows how long. As for everyone getting a calf tag this is the system. Statistics show that calves are least likely to survive winter so shoot em if you can. I have been hunting moose in Ontario for 25yrs and have only ever had two calfs killed in my group in that time. When archery hunting/calling in rut never had a shot at a calf. Number of calves shot is minimal compared to adult moose. As for the native issue, it's been around for many a years. Not as big a problem as most make out and is little/or no issue if you consider a fly in archery hunt. In recent years the management plan has produced good results for our herd. As far as archery hunts are considered there are many great outfitters. I suggest you look up www.northtoadventure.com (http://www.northtoadventure.com) you will look long and hard to find a better outfit and their archery sucess is great. I have dealt with these guys for over 20yrs now and take a party of 6 in for archery moose every year.If you have any questions feel free to pm me.
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The place we went with last year has two bull tags open for 2007. Unfortunately, the resort will be under new ownership in another couple months, and I don't know anything about the new people taking over or who they plan on using for guides.
Northwest Ontario is a beautiful place. One of these days I'm definately going back.
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Dave is right, the native issue is only prevelant where the road system lets it be...
Like I said too, fly in , get away and we have a good moose pop.
Dave would know better than I on alot of this stuff. He has the time to get out and hunt all over on a moments whim; he has the photo albums to show it! LOL! Us poor buggars really have to look hard and do the research.
Huntit already has the goods on file, use it man!
PM him, he could get ya hooked up quick.
BD
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Great information. Thanks How about Manitoba, for moose? and/or Caribou?
I am planning on one of these for 2008 and would like to do Manitoba as it is closer.
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Hunt It:
Thanks for the link and all that info!!! I saved the website to my "favorites".
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Glad to see Jason posted, He was just up there and harvested a beautiful moose so he has recent info!
Bill
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Originally posted by hunt it:
As for everyone getting a calf tag this is the system. Statistics show that calves are least likely to survive winter so shoot em if you can.
I'm not trying to create a stink here, because I am not by any means an expert, I have never hunted Moose, and I am basing what I have said on what a few reliable friends have told me. However, your statement really infuriates me regardless of the topic. The logic just doesn't work!
If 50% of calves make it through the winter (picking a number here...) and hunters kill 25% of the caves before winter (picking another number...), that means that only 37-38% of the calves make it through the winter and hunting season rather than 50%. It's not possible to have adult moose without calves!
But again, this is just my opinion...
The rest of your information is very helpful.
Thank You,
Brett
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Contact canoe canada outfitters , e-mail Bud Dickson there . I have been on canoe trips many times to Quetico park ont. you can not hunt in the park , but Bud runs the hunting part of there outfitter buisness on land outside of the park . There is a very good moose population there . They are great people , and outfitters , and worth a look ! Bud has a web site for bear & moose hunting , but i can not find a paper on it . canoecanada.com >>>---->RIVERWOLF
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Found Bud Dickson hunting web site . www.budsqueticocountryhunts.com (http://www.budsqueticocountryhunts.com) There located in Atikokan Ont., off of 11 Good luck ! Wish i could afford a moose hunt up there .There are alot of moose in that area , alot ! >>>-------->RIVERWOLF
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Dont forget Maine,New Hampshire and Vermont.Maine is your best bet but tough to draw.Its inexpensive if you draw and you could do it yourself with a timber company land use permit.Very tightly regulated, not for trophys but for overall healthy pops.This year is $55.00 for 10 chances in the lottery.
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Originally posted by RIVERWOLF:
Found Bud Dickson hunting web site . www.budsqueticocountryhunts.com (http://www.budsqueticocountryhunts.com) There located in Atikokan Ont., off of 11 Good luck ! Wish i could afford a moose hunt up there .There are alot of moose in that area , alot ! >>>-------->RIVERWOLF
Dickson? I heard that name quite a bit while I was in Ontario. He's got the next bear concession over from the one controlled by the resort I hunted out of. He also runs moose hunts in Unit 11A, which is where we were hunting. Both resorts use a lot of the same guides.
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Valentine the logic may seem odd but the system seems to work in most areas.I will give an example,7 of us hunt on 1000 acres,in the last 18 years the group has been skunked twice and we see moose every year.If memory is correct there has been 22 moose taken from that property,and I believe 12 or 13 have been calves.This area is at the southern limit of moose range in the province.Do some research and find a good outfitter and you will have a good hunt and if you don't want to shoot a calf you don't have to,but the first time you taste calf tenderloin you wont be infuriated any more. :wavey:
John
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:smileystooges:
John....LOL, you know it.
BD
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MWM- For Manitoba look up Lambleys Hunts From The Heart. Run by a good guy from Nebraska, Jason Lambley. Jason is no stranger to trad hunters/hunting. His brother Brice is a regular contributor to TBM and the whole family has been involved with trad hunting/shooting for many years. Jason bought this outfit about five maybe six years ago. His moose guides are top notch guys that I have hunted with many times. If you hunt with him try and line up Larry Courville or Bobby Wodzics as your guide, both of these guys are trad shooters and moose killers/guides extrodinaire.
Valentine - sorry you don't agree but our bioligists that look after this program say and know it does. If we were to say give everyone an adult tag you would have no calves and no adults! As John mentioned his gang takes a fair number of calves, I will bet they are gun hunting that property. Big groups are the ones that take the calves the majority of times. Now since we are talking on an archery forum here, bowhunting for moose, I and no one in my party has ever had the chance to even release an arrow on a calf. 99.9% of bowhunts for moose take place during rut. We call the bull moose in, I have never ever seen a calf respond or come in to a call NEVER. No bowhunter that I know has ever had this happen so it's not a concern. The number of calves taken as I stated early is small compared to adult moose. The system works I can assure you. So again I will have to disagree with your logic on this one. Please don't take it personal!!! I'm just stating it how it is and that it works for us.
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I'm here to learn. I'm learning. I don't take much personally. Especially on the web! This all gives me other perspectives to discuss with my hunting buddies.
-Brett
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Dave is correct in that we rifle hunt the property,I gave the numbers to illustrate that even by taking calves from the herd we are by no means harming the population.As previously stated we have to apply in a lottery to recieve an adult moose tag,sucsess in the draw is normally every second to third year.If we recieve a bull tag we will selectively hunt bulls,normally by calling and the calves are left alone.If we recieve a cow tag we will hunt them selectively and if she has a calf with her it will also be taken.If we recieve no adult tags we will take a calf if given the oportunity.We do not continue hunting after we have taken a moose as we want to ensure that there will be more for next year,even though we all have calf tags we do not try to fill them all.one moose even a calf is plenty for 7 hunters.
John
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No shortage of moose up here in Thunder Bay.
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All my moose hunting has beem in Ontario (must be cuz I live here) and have never seen anything other than bulls while bowhunting. And we have seen quite a few...every year we have seen bulls that would at least meet minimum Pope & Young (if you care about that sort of thing) and some years we have seen some truly big Canadian Moose.
My last close call I was on my knees behind a bush 6 feet from a monster who I thought was going to start raking me and my poor little bush...he had gouges on his shoulders from sparring...I got a real good look at him.
We hunt in areas that have had some of the problems mentioned above (natives shooting them whenever they want and off logging roads) but if you're willing to get off the beaten track you can certainly find nice bulls...
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Same guy Jason,great outfitter & great group of people @ canoe canada also ! If you doubt the numbers of moose in Ontario take a drive on the north shore of lake superior on 17 or 11 early morning or late evening , DRIVE SLOW ,and alert !If i could fig. pics on here i have some from last trip North , late may BIG MOOSE ! >>>--------->RIVERWOLF
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CMR,
Look up the webiste, "heritagewhitetail.com" Get in contact with Charlie and ask him about Rick and Bud Dickson. They should be able to help you out. 5 of us did a whitetail bowhunt with Charlie last October and we had a blast. The Dickson's live up by Waa Waa, Ontario and are first class guys, great outdoorsman and guides. They were some of the most interesting outdoorsman I've talked too. They should be able to hook you up.
Brian
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CMR,
I have hunted with the same guy for over 10 years for both Moose and Bear in Nipigon. Let me say that I have not hunted with a more seasoned outdoorsmen anywhere else in the world and his hunts are one on one. He takes three archers a year and and he was two for three last year with traditional hunters. Let me say that as a side note, he called in six different bulls well inside bow range over that three week period. His name is Bob Bearman and he can be reached at 807-887-3801. They don't come any better!