Looking for a Hunt Camp

W

wesley1074

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Newmarket
Hello;
I'm searching for new hunting grounds and hope someone can give a few suggestions. I've been hunting grouse in the fall in northern ON (hunt camp north of Massey) for about 20 years (WMU 30/31). Things have changed up there and I need to find new ground. It's a 7-hour drive from home, so I'm trying to find something closer. We use quads to run the logging roads and trails, so also hoping this new ground will permit the same travel. Admittedly, we've been spoiled over the years with unusual accommodations in the middle of the bush: hydro, running water (not potable), indoor plumbing including shower, stove, fridge, etc. Did the prospector tent thing for years and while it created great memories, we are beyond that now! Any suggestion would be appreciated - thanks in advance
 
WMU 30/31 is a heck of a long way from Massey. You have to drive for at least 2 hours to get out of 38. So, it sounds like you want to stay at a lodge and road hunt for birds... that can be done virtually anywhere in NorOnt. You can try the Chapleau area, or Gogama... depends on how far you want to drive. There is excellent hunting around Kapuskasing or Longlac, but it is a longer drive up HWY 144 to Timmins and then North to HWY 11 and then a good bit beyond that. Unit 38, that you are likely in now has excellent grouse hunting, so what is the problem with your current area... did it get logged over?
 
I wouldn't be so eager to try moving too far south. We sometimes go to a buddy's cottage near Kearney and while its only 3 hours and convenient, I don't like the high number of other people on ATVs your constantly running into. My brother bought a property 8 hours away in WMU 28 that I much prefer to go to for bird hunting. I know the drive is more of a pain but can run those trails all day sometimes and not see another person. Plus its a 10 minute trip across the border to do a beer run.
 
Depends...im up in Bracebridge, walk in only. In the last year I have only seen the guy who owns the house at the end of the street. All depends what you want and what you are willing to do it. I don't mind humping into the bush for solitude
 
hoytcanon said:
WMU 30/31 is a heck of a long way from Massey. You have to drive for at least 2 hours to get out of 38. So, it sounds like you want to stay at a lodge and road hunt for birds... that can be done virtually anywhere in NorOnt. You can try the Chapleau area, or Gogama... depends on how far you want to drive. There is excellent hunting around Kapuskasing or Longlac, but it is a longer drive up HWY 144 to Timmins and then North to HWY 11 and then a good bit beyond that. Unit 38, that you are likely in now has excellent grouse hunting, so what is the problem with your current area... did it get logged over?
Click to expand...

No kidding it's a long way! From Massey, head north on Hwy 553 for about 1.5 hours and you'll end up at the lodge I've been going to for the past 12 years. It is great grouse country, but it's definitely been logged heavily over the years. Most recently the logging has closed in on the lodge and we end up putting on several hundred kms over 2-weeks, just for birds. Aside from the change in landscape, the dynamics of the lodge are different and it's just not what it used to be. That's about as PR as I can put it. It's a 7-hour drive to/from home. In the +20 years we've applied for tags in that area, we've only received 2. All that to say...a long way to go just for birds.

I'd like to find something closer to home, but we're definitely nervous about booking a 2-week holiday in new territory.

Old Lodge Pros
- we know the area well, and know where to go for birds
- remote location. Not overrun with other hunters/ATVs, etc
- modern amenities (cabins have electricity, running water, indoor plumbing including shower, fridge, stove, etc.)
- hundreds of trails with thousands of kms to run quads and get away from others

Old Lodge Cons
- limited to no opportunity for tags
- very long drive for birds
- heavily logged (in the immediate vicinity of the lodge)
- big logging trucks on main roads
- change in management. Dynamics of lodge are different
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom