Going Caribou Hunting this fall in QC Need help

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Hi Guys

Not to often I'm in the Hunting section of CGN.

I'm going Caribou hunting this fall (end of August) in Northern Quebec and I need some advice. I've never gone "big game" hunting before. Groundhogs are the extent of my experience.

I've got the rifle, ammo, case, coat and most of the little things all taken care of.

What I need expert advice with is, best kind of hunting boot?

Best kind of sleeping bag?

And a friend of mine that went a couple of years ago said that he wished he had "hunting pants" as the dewy vegetation soaked his regular pants and undies right up to the knees. So what's the best pants? Maybe a hunting coat that is rain proof that goes with the pants, combo would be a good idea?

Any other advice form those that have "done it" would be most welcome.

Sticker
 
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I've never been up there, but I would think knee high boots and plastic overpants would be a good start. You are basically walking on all muskeg and swamp. I know the Alaska guys on the 24hourcampfire swear by the cabelas dryplus fleece pants and they get 200 inches of rain each year. Layers and bring lots of socks, no cotton.

Cariboo seems a bit unusual for a guys first big game hunt, never hunted whitetails in Eastern Ontario?
 
I went a few years back, in late September, and we encountered the worst weather that our Camp Guide had seen in 7 years. Snow, rain, sleet - you name it, we had it. Off the top of my head:

- Find out what kind of camp you're in. They will probably be heated so an 'Artic Expedition' type bag would not be needed. If you like sleeping with a pillow, bring one. They're not heavy, can be compressed and are worth it - IMO.

- The only hunting coat that will truly keep you dry is a good quality poncho - IMO. I have lots of Gore-Tex gear and in a downpour water will find its way down your neck and wick its way up your sleeves and cuffs. As for pants, if you go for nylon/polyurethane coating, they'll be clammy but should be OK.

- Find out what kind of hunting you'll do before leaving camp. Will you be positioned somewhere or will you be humping it? Good quality, good fitting rubber boots are tough to beat.

- Make sure you have something to sit on and keep your butt dry.

Good luck.
 
I work for a drilling company that drills alot in Labrador, for aug weather dress for January because there will be snow there when you get there
 
I've been twice on Quebec Fall caribou hunts. The best boot will get some to snicker on here, but do work extremely well. Canadian Tire $40.00 Insulated rubber boots are excellent. Bring along extra liners that you can take out an let dry in camp...or for the money bring two of these pairs of boots along in case you tear them on a branch or sharp rock.

http://www.kamik.com/GenfootWeb/ser...urCatalog=2007&curSeason=WINTER2007&curRow=90

As far as clothing, yes it can rain, snow, and be sunny and warm all in the same day. Down pours can be crazy and then just stop and out comes the sun!

I like to wear slip over gore tex type uninsulated camo pants with a rubber waist band. There are many brands out there for around $100.00. They act as a wind and rain shield and can easily be removed and packed if it gets warm.

A good goretex type hunting jacket with hood (shell and separate liner) will do you well. I've never had issues with getting wet in my jacket, but a poncho mentionned earlier, is good insurance in a heavy down pour.

I've used two inexpensive -10 rated bags. Use only one if it's warm and put one in the other if it's really cold.

Listen ot your camp hand or guide. If the hunting is tough with only few local caribou spotted, take what you see and don't be too choosy. Otherwise, you might end up not filling all your tags.

Enjoy the hunt. I have fond memories of mine!!!
 
I went on a late September hunt with Explo Silva and I hope you are not booked with them - you can query this forum for my experiences.

Bottom line is good waterproof non slip footwear and warm / waterproof hunting clothes. I bought a Cabela's dry fleece one peice coverall set and wore it every day - still have it and it was worth every penny. It should be a trip of a life time so dont cheap out on your equipment.

I would look at a pair of gortex / insulated hiking or work boots with a Vibram sole - lots of walking on rocky ridges with loose rock and vegetation. You dont want a broken ankle out there!

Good luck and have a good trip
 
end of august is the start of hunt up there.

we used as guides some boots preferred in the camps were : acton Prairie , Trail, Explorer and Explorer Quad. at least they last and dont leak as some leather boots even with gore-tex.

is your hunt a guided one or a camp on your own ?

is it a walking hunt or a boat ride hunt ? if mainly on boat you ll love your long boots but in the mountains and swampy area too. !!!

as already told a sleeping bag rated -10°c is perfect and with an extra fleece liner even better.

cant comment too much on goretex as it didnt last that much but certainly due too blood mixed with rain and water.
Now the weather it can be in one day four seasons and i didnt talk about flies and bugs : no winds there are there winds they re on the ground and after the first freeze they re less alive.

we had our first snow this fall around 3rd of september on the ridge and 4th for the camp so it depends where you re in the north the aera is really huge.
as said listen the staff and there is a lot of chance at that time of the year that migration didnt already start and you ll be with residents caribous. dont hesitate to hunt the ones you ll see as it may happens the worst in weather and operations. (we had 3 days off without possibility for aircraft coming to the lake foggy you said and no hunts too ...)

ask to zero again your rifle when you ll be in the camp every year some scope didnt love the otter or beaver experience nor the handle. bring enough cartridges for this.

i can find a good hunting gear list i use on my own but i stay more than 6 days. !!!!

dont forget to tips if you re happy of course ???!!!
 
On my recent hunt there the walking was partly boggy/marshy but for the most part we were walking and climbing on rough, uneven rocky terrain. Tough on boots. Rubber boots with felt liners were the way to go, but they've gotta be comfortable for LOTS of walking.

Waterproof top layer, pants and jacket, but uninsulated is better, nice and roomy so that you can get various fleece layers underneath as needed. Synthetic longjohns and socks, or wool, no cotton. Everything should be quick-drying. Blaze vest required, but no blaze hat. Sneakers or something similar for in camp. Some sort of cord, like paracord, that you can use to make a clothesline for drying out wet gear will get used.

Check with your outfitter; if a sleeping bag is needed (some supply bedding) then a light one is good, then get a fleece bag liner that you can use with the bag or on its own. They're cheap, small, light, and add lots of warmth if it's needed.

Good binoculars are a must! Some guys don't have or use them, they just rely on the guide to find game! They've gotta be nuts! Use your binos constantly, I found both of my caribou AND a monster black bear with my own two eyes and the experience was ten times better as a result. I brought a small spotting scope, didn't use it at all. A rangefinder is a good idea...estimating distances on that terrain on unfamiliar animals is tough. Bring a small digital camera and take lots of pics...you'll never get tired of looking at them.

As said earlier, listen to the guide. Don't hold out for a world record, but don't be too quick to shoot the first animal you see, unless it looks like it might be the last.

I took two rifles and still had no problem staying way under the weight limit (50 or 60 pounds, can't remember which). My outfitter demanded soft gun cases rather than hard, but some of the newer hybrid soft/hard were acceptable and did a great job protecting my rifles, while still being easy to pack onto the planes. Some guys brought shotguns...the ptarmigan hunting was great.

Good luck and enjoy...kind of strange for a first big game hunt but you should have a blast!:D

John
 
Is this a fly-in outpost camp hunt ?

I met some guys who went and lent me their home video. It seems they either waited in key spots for the Caribou to cross rivers or Lakes or just boated around.

Seems like a few Caribou were taken while they were swimming, no idea how legal that is up there.

The guys were staying in some kind Shelter built with lumber with a blue Tarp over it. Not exactly Five stars.......

Im sure some outfitters have go through the trouble of building an actual camp at this time.
 
Pathfinder said:
Is this a fly-in outpost camp hunt ?

I met some guys who went and lent me their home video. It seems they either waited in key spots for the Caribou to cross rivers or Lakes or just boated around.

Seems like a few Caribou were taken while they were swimming, no idea how legal that is up there.

The guys were staying in some kind Shelter built with lumber with a blue Tarp over it. Not exactly Five stars.......

Im sure some outfitters have go through the trouble of building an actual camp at this time.
Click to expand...

shooting swimming caribous = ILLEGAL.

for the kind of hunt waiting or boating it depends where and when you there ... and of course of the hunters ? for my group it s Walking and not only four 5 minutes ???!!!

i walked everyday for whole the hunts and never used a boat but my hunters were able to do that, but it does not happen all the time ???!!!!

my colleagues got one hunter even unable to get in the boat ?!!!!

for the camp cant comment but where i was it was great not 5 stars but enough to sleep warm and eat. commodities were perfect as cooker and helper.

canvas tent covered by plywood or other kind of wood is the way the re done. and it works.

but dont expect huge lodge as this temporlarly outpost camps.
 
a quick one some items may missing dont blame me ...

- Fishing rods and fishing gear
(flies, lures, fishing line, etc.)
- Rifle or bow (ammunition, arrows, etc.)
- Raincoat and windbreaker
- Rubber boots
- Caps or fishing hat
- Woollen socks
- Pants
- GPS unit compass and radio (with batteries)
- Warm underwear
- Warm hunting coat
- T-shirts and heavy sweaters (no cottons)
(example: turtlenecks)
- Running shoes
- Flashlight and batteries
- Sunglasses (polarized)
- Sunscreen (skin and lips)
- Lighter or matches
- Insect repellent with DEET
- Camera or video camera
- Sleeping bag
- Bath towel
- Soap and shampoo
- Personal medication (prescription)

my own is in french doing the translation.
 
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medvedqc said:
shooting swimming caribous = ILLEGAL.
Click to expand...

Pretty common among the inuit though, they hunt a lot from boat.

I assume you are going to Kuujuak (sp) I lived west of there in Inukjuak a couple of years.

Aug weather is similar to Nov/Dec weather in the south. Your guides will likely be wearing hip waders, and it will be sopping wet. But the inuit I knew didn't really get the whole concept of discomfort,I bet your feet are as soft as mine.

I woudl buy rubber boots, good ones. I have Baffin's they are rated to -100. The great thing about them is teh liners are much more comfortable than teh -40 liners. Much better to hike in.

This is them

baffinpg30-trapper.jpg
 
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