So, is your hunting an adventure, or is it go out back behind the house and hunt.
- Thread starter John Y Cannuck
- Start date
sorry to hear. I live to hunt and was stuck hard with whatever it is going around and had to miss the last 2 days of hunting for 2016. It's one hulofa long time to next year, but I guess I'll just hafta wait. At least Jr brought home some meat. Good luck in your fight. Are you going to make it to the Brandon show next month?
That sucks. Hopefully you'll be able to recover some and get out more next year. I feel you pain about the time, being a full time student with a family makes it hard to get out, I've been deer hunting all of two times this year, hoping to get out next week for the last weekend in most regions...
My hunting consists of coyotes only and it take about 30-40 minutes to get where I go, but some days it can be a real adventure for sure. 
Everything for me is on foot and Ive ran into 3-4' of snow in some low ground that Ive wanted to get across. Also on other days Ive stalked a pair of yotes for a good twoish+ hours trying to get in closer. I dont mind that cause sometimes I just like getting outdoors and watching em do their thing.
Everything for me is on foot and Ive ran into 3-4' of snow in some low ground that Ive wanted to get across. Also on other days Ive stalked a pair of yotes for a good twoish+ hours trying to get in closer. I dont mind that cause sometimes I just like getting outdoors and watching em do their thing.
The cost of the trip is relatively cheap as far as trips go.
Of course there is the cost of the gas - couple hundred bucks in my truck. The train runs up and down every "weekday" so we drive as far as Cochrane on the Sunday, overnight in a fleabag motel (75'ish bucks) and then take the train Monday morning (leaves Cochrane at 9am, they start loading gear at 7am). The first 40 pounds of crap (per person) is included in the ticket price, after that you pay by the pound - whether it's two or three of us with camping/hunting gear, it typically costs us an extra 40 bucks in "over weight" (I think it may max out there, never asked and always seem to cost the same) - they don't charge to carry out any game animals and you have a whole boxcar - so room is not an issue).
The return cost per person on the train is just on 100 bucks each (it does vary a bit depending where you want to be "kicked off" - they have 13 "whistle stops" and you pay the rate based on the closest one to whatever mile marker you want off at - they will let you off literally wherever you want. From Cochrane to Moosonee there is a little over 180 miles of track that follows the Abitibi then the Moose river all the way up.
We generally stay up until Friday - get picked up about 5:30 pm which puts us back into Cochrane about 11 pm - so by the time we get unloaded/reloaded we stay overnight in Cochrane again (another 75 bucks) - plus it's nice to get a shower
We used to go up on the Friday (for the Saturday opener which is always the 3rd Sat in September and bear/birds/bunnies is already open) but as we have got older/softer we have found that five nights is "enough"
So basically, for two of us the entire trip (gas, train, hotels, moose/bear/small game licences) comes in under $800 total and that's driving about 1600 kms round trip. We are camping on crown land, so no costs there. Logistically it's a fairly simple trip. If you plan on taking up a canoe they used to charge an extra 100 bucks for that if they have the canoe carrier car hooked up - we have taken a canoe up a number of times - if they don't have the car, then they have just added it as "over weight" and we tossed it right in a boxcar (for about half the cost - they charge extra because it's a pain to get it off the canoe car racks if it's in use - or at least that is their reasoning). On a couple of occasions we have seen guys bring up 12 or 14 foot aluminum boats with motors - if you can fit it in a boxcar, they will carry it for you no problem.
It's always a coin toss as to whether there will be enough water to float a canoe - the Moose river itself is usually fine (but wasn't in 2015 - you could walk across it in ankle boots), but along the way from Cochrane to Moosonee there is close to a dozen rivers that can be paddled if the water levels are decent. This year, despite the dry summer, by the time we were there in September there was decent water levels. But if you were looking to plan a trip a call up to the MNR (they have an office in Cochrane and a field office in Moosonee) can quickly answer your questions about water levels.
The bugs can be bad - particularly the black flies and the weather, which comes off James Bay can be nasty but if I was going up to canoe I would probably go in late August - weather is settled and the bugs are mostly gone. I have been up there in June and July and it was just "nasty"
Although you are fairly isolated you are never "alone" - there is enough activity on the tracks between the train and then the crews that inspect the entire line twice a day (pick-ups that are rigged up to drive on the rails) that if there was some kind of emergency you wouldn't be waiting days (unless it was over a weekend) to get some help and the crews "do stop" daily if they are aware you are camping etc to make sure everything is ok (Ontario Northland keeps track of who is where as much as they can).
When I had 10 acres on a coastal island here in BC I did once shoot a deer in the back end and one day while I was out driving around looking for a deer in logging slashes in the interior of the island my wife spotted one while tying up the goats and shot it.
Since moving to Vancouver in 1986 however, I have to drive at least two hours to get into decent big game hunting ground, so I plan trips of three days more or less and make it a camping trip. Moose trips are longer if I get an LEH permit or join buddies who get a ticket. Some of our moose spots are full day's drive or more away from town.
Waterfowling however, I can be on the tide flats, marsh, river front or fields where I hunt in 45 minutes. The duck hunting and some goose hunting here is amazing if you know where to go or have permission in certain fields.
Since moving to Vancouver in 1986 however, I have to drive at least two hours to get into decent big game hunting ground, so I plan trips of three days more or less and make it a camping trip. Moose trips are longer if I get an LEH permit or join buddies who get a ticket. Some of our moose spots are full day's drive or more away from town.
Waterfowling however, I can be on the tide flats, marsh, river front or fields where I hunt in 45 minutes. The duck hunting and some goose hunting here is amazing if you know where to go or have permission in certain fields.
Both. Normally coyotes, ground squirrels, ducks and geese are often not that far from the farm: down the road a mile to whatever pond or field. However, most of the really fun times have been had close to the farm with the dog in the blind, sitting with the family at the ground squirrel patch and/or competing with my step-dad to see who can call that coyote closer.
Deer and other large game tends to be lots of pre-season hiking with trials and tribulations to really put the miles on the feet and the aches into the body. I have had to borrow a second quad to retrieve a moose that rolled into a gully because the ground was too steep to carry it out, and once had to call for help to pack a deer out of the thickest brambles and trees I have ever seen... to being dropped off at a driveway to a field, walking 50 yards in and shot the doe watching the truck leave.
I agree with "every one is an adventure" because too many have memories I won't soon forget.
"Behind the house" is 400 acres....... but I have had lots of adventure on those 400 acres...... from coyote off the back deck to actually setting up a small camp dead smack in the middle of it when I was chasing a buck I knew I would never get if I tried to hike in from the house.......
That being said, I have had my share of adventure in the US and Canada and at my camp and I absolutely cherish each and every minute afield......
That being said, I have had my share of adventure in the US and Canada and at my camp and I absolutely cherish each and every minute afield......
Total new area to me.
Seen a big white tail buck, biggest I've seen in the Kamloops area.
He proved four legs is qwicker than two.
Next day cutting farwood a big mulie buck was wartchin me.
Rascal new the diffrunce t'ween a Stihl & a Weatherby.
Went out the day before and did some trail search'in.
Seen a bunch oh bunny hops, and a pile of kitty tracks.
Not the cougar type.
A few deer tracks and one other dear hiking with her hounds.
Need to get out the central Loogie Lake area where local folk quad frum'ome.
Seen a big white tail buck, biggest I've seen in the Kamloops area.
He proved four legs is qwicker than two.
Next day cutting farwood a big mulie buck was wartchin me.
Rascal new the diffrunce t'ween a Stihl & a Weatherby.
Went out the day before and did some trail search'in.
Seen a bunch oh bunny hops, and a pile of kitty tracks.
Not the cougar type.
A few deer tracks and one other dear hiking with her hounds.
Need to get out the central Loogie Lake area where local folk quad frum'ome.
Had 40 yrs. of traveling and hunting adventures. Don't regret any of it. But it got to be a pain in the a$$ at times and then hunting partners started dying off or loosing interest. So when I retired I bought a home with big acreage so that I can do my hunting from home.
Now to go deer hunting I walk down stairs into a heated garage, climb into an Argo or Atv, press a garage door opener on the dash, drive out across the lawn, across the river into the bush and with 10 to15 min I am at one of the stands on my own property and we are hunting, or doing what ever. Life is good.
H4831, had similar experience with a buck many years ago when my best friend and I decided to follow the biggest deer track we could find after a fresh snow. That deer took us on a merry walk all day, he walked up creeks, jumped from it, circled etc. etc. we got the odd glimpse of the tail and that was it. A memorable interesting and educational day.
Now to go deer hunting I walk down stairs into a heated garage, climb into an Argo or Atv, press a garage door opener on the dash, drive out across the lawn, across the river into the bush and with 10 to15 min I am at one of the stands on my own property and we are hunting, or doing what ever. Life is good.
H4831, had similar experience with a buck many years ago when my best friend and I decided to follow the biggest deer track we could find after a fresh snow. That deer took us on a merry walk all day, he walked up creeks, jumped from it, circled etc. etc. we got the odd glimpse of the tail and that was it. A memorable interesting and educational day.
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Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A bit too much adventure outfitting the North Coast some days. I sometimes long for when I could hunt deer from my kitchen. Then I remember the wild factor is the spice of life and the only reason I can operate. Nothing worth doing is easy!
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
This year was out the door, and an adventure, and I didn't even cut a tag to fill the freezer...
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Thanks very much, that answers a lot!
The cost of the trip is relatively cheap as far as trips go.
Of course there is the cost of the gas - couple hundred bucks in my truck. The train runs up and down every "weekday" so we drive as far as Cochrane on the Sunday, overnight in a fleabag motel (75'ish bucks) and then take the train Monday morning (leaves Cochrane at 9am, they start loading gear at 7am). The first 40 pounds of crap (per person) is included in the ticket price, after that you pay by the pound - whether it's two or three of us with camping/hunting gear, it typically costs us an extra 40 bucks in "over weight" (I think it may max out there, never asked and always seem to cost the same) - they don't charge to carry out any game animals and you have a whole boxcar - so room is not an issue).
The return cost per person on the train is just on 100 bucks each (it does vary a bit depending where you want to be "kicked off" - they have 13 "whistle stops" and you pay the rate based on the closest one to whatever mile marker you want off at - they will let you off literally wherever you want. From Cochrane to Moosonee there is a little over 180 miles of track that follows the Abitibi then the Moose river all the way up.
We generally stay up until Friday - get picked up about 5:30 pm which puts us back into Cochrane about 11 pm - so by the time we get unloaded/reloaded we stay overnight in Cochrane again (another 75 bucks) - plus it's nice to get a shower
We used to go up on the Friday (for the Saturday opener which is always the 3rd Sat in September and bear/birds/bunnies is already open) but as we have got older/softer we have found that five nights is "enough"
So basically, for two of us the entire trip (gas, train, hotels, moose/bear/small game licences) comes in under $800 total and that's driving about 1600 kms round trip. We are camping on crown land, so no costs there. Logistically it's a fairly simple trip. If you plan on taking up a canoe they used to charge an extra 100 bucks for that if they have the canoe carrier car hooked up - we have taken a canoe up a number of times - if they don't have the car, then they have just added it as "over weight" and we tossed it right in a boxcar (for about half the cost - they charge extra because it's a pain to get it off the canoe car racks if it's in use - or at least that is their reasoning). On a couple of occasions we have seen guys bring up 12 or 14 foot aluminum boats with motors - if you can fit it in a boxcar, they will carry it for you no problem.
It's always a coin toss as to whether there will be enough water to float a canoe - the Moose river itself is usually fine (but wasn't in 2015 - you could walk across it in ankle boots), but along the way from Cochrane to Moosonee there is close to a dozen rivers that can be paddled if the water levels are decent. This year, despite the dry summer, by the time we were there in September there was decent water levels. But if you were looking to plan a trip a call up to the MNR (they have an office in Cochrane and a field office in Moosonee) can quickly answer your questions about water levels.
The bugs can be bad - particularly the black flies and the weather, which comes off James Bay can be nasty but if I was going up to canoe I would probably go in late August - weather is settled and the bugs are mostly gone. I have been up there in June and July and it was just "nasty"
Although you are fairly isolated you are never "alone" - there is enough activity on the tracks between the train and then the crews that inspect the entire line twice a day (pick-ups that are rigged up to drive on the rails) that if there was some kind of emergency you wouldn't be waiting days (unless it was over a weekend) to get some help and the crews "do stop" daily if they are aware you are camping etc to make sure everything is ok (Ontario Northland keeps track of who is where as much as they can).
elimsprint
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
This years muley hunt was about as easy as it gets. I had a quick nap after lunch and a couple of beers at the pub. Left the house at about 3pm and was back to get my Rokon and cleaning stuff by 3:20. I was quite sure there was a buck hanging around my herd up the hill behind the house, I was sure I could hear them doing the nasty at night, and I was right.
Part of the herd
Front yard last year
This years buck, I think he is the same guy as last year, he just added the stickers this year
Part of the herd
Front yard last year
This years buck, I think he is the same guy as last year, he just added the stickers this year
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My hunting is pretty close to home. I live in rural Manitoba and farm so I've got lots of land to hunt deer and waterfowl. Lots of coyotes if I want to hunt them, there are some black bear around as well but the seasons don't really jive well with work. We have been having more and more moose in the area in the last 10 years, but no season for them in this area yet. I would definitely like to do some hunting in the far flung wilderness at some point.
I have had enough adventures to last several lifetimes..........I'm quite happy to step out my door and harvest what ever wanders through my pasture during open season, or go to my bow stand about 100' from my house and see what wanders through. I watched 7 elk in my pasture yesterday, but they closed some time ago, so I just watched them........There are more long distance adventures to come but they get fewer and farther between............it sucks getting old.
My hunting passion/obsession has taken me over a great deal of the planet and subjected me to the airless peaks of the Russian Pamirs at 18,000 and the sea level haunts of the Canadian and Alaskan coastal islands. From the 55*C temps and tse-tse fly infested bush along the Luangwa river to the absolute silence and -45*C of the high arctic wastelands. I have hunted the rainforest in the Congo where it is physically impossible to push your way through without a machete and the northern Yukon tundra where you can walk for miles without encountering a tree. I have seen, walked and rode through some of the roughest and most beautiful country on four continents............now I get a kick out of banging a little whitetail in my pasture with my "back door gun" a 7mm RUM.
There are many animals I would still love to chase but not being born with a platinum spoon stuck in my mouth has necessitated longer time frames in which to amass the funds required for such hunts, so I got old before I had the opportunity to chase them. Damn work got in the way all the time, when that time could have been better spent hunting markhor or desert sheep or snow sheep or blue sheep or a bunch of argalis..........the list goes on. All in all I did OK for a poor kid from Calgary though............
My hunting passion/obsession has taken me over a great deal of the planet and subjected me to the airless peaks of the Russian Pamirs at 18,000 and the sea level haunts of the Canadian and Alaskan coastal islands. From the 55*C temps and tse-tse fly infested bush along the Luangwa river to the absolute silence and -45*C of the high arctic wastelands. I have hunted the rainforest in the Congo where it is physically impossible to push your way through without a machete and the northern Yukon tundra where you can walk for miles without encountering a tree. I have seen, walked and rode through some of the roughest and most beautiful country on four continents............now I get a kick out of banging a little whitetail in my pasture with my "back door gun" a 7mm RUM.
There are many animals I would still love to chase but not being born with a platinum spoon stuck in my mouth has necessitated longer time frames in which to amass the funds required for such hunts, so I got old before I had the opportunity to chase them. Damn work got in the way all the time, when that time could have been better spent hunting markhor or desert sheep or snow sheep or blue sheep or a bunch of argalis..........the list goes on. All in all I did OK for a poor kid from Calgary though............
