In the first week of December, we are driving to Mirage Outfitters for a two day hunt. Has anyone been up this year or in the immediate future (season opened Nov 15) ?. From the satellite maps, the caribous seem to be moving into the hunting area but an on the ground report would be excellent. Thanks.
Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
- Thread starter hiredgun
- Start date
Quebec Winter Caribou Hunt
I assume you mean a "sled" hunt to mean snowmobile. We do not have a snowmobile, so plan from hunting from the road, spotting the 'bous and then stalking with snowshoes. From all of our research on this website and others, if we hit the caribou migration right, as the Leaf River herd is 650,000+, we should have an excellent chance. If someone in the GTA has a snowmobile with trailer for trade for a week starting Dec 2/2006 , please email me. Thanks.
I assume you mean a "sled" hunt to mean snowmobile. We do not have a snowmobile, so plan from hunting from the road, spotting the 'bous and then stalking with snowshoes. From all of our research on this website and others, if we hit the caribou migration right, as the Leaf River herd is 650,000+, we should have an excellent chance. If someone in the GTA has a snowmobile with trailer for trade for a week starting Dec 2/2006 , please email me. Thanks.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
What you guys gonna take for firearms? and are long shots expected, or are the animals in the woods up there? Hey good luck, the meat is excellent! 
I worked at that place 3 or four winters as a pilot. 80% of the hunters kill their 2 caribous the first day on the road
In the worst case I've seen,the hunters needed to drive 2 hours to find the caribous but most of the time you could shoot them from the parking lot
When I was there there was the possibility to rent snowmobiles from some really good guys that have a shop at Mirage's. I think it's the cheapest, most fun and efficient way to hunt if the caribous are far away. Also, rent the smallest ones they have, they are the best!
Some people pay 1000$ to go hunt with the helicopter, but kill their caribous the first day, and don't want to use the flight they paid for... you can always try to buy their flight for cheap and have a great view of the place (and the pilot will be happy to work a little!)
I'm leaving nov 23rd and will fly close by. I'll let you know if there are many caribous in the area if I can find an internet access. Last time I was there I only saw 3 caribous, but that was 3 weeks ago, and about 50 miles south. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll see plenty!
Have fun!
In the worst case I've seen,the hunters needed to drive 2 hours to find the caribous but most of the time you could shoot them from the parking lot
When I was there there was the possibility to rent snowmobiles from some really good guys that have a shop at Mirage's. I think it's the cheapest, most fun and efficient way to hunt if the caribous are far away. Also, rent the smallest ones they have, they are the best!
Some people pay 1000$ to go hunt with the helicopter, but kill their caribous the first day, and don't want to use the flight they paid for... you can always try to buy their flight for cheap and have a great view of the place
(and the pilot will be happy to work a little!)I'm leaving nov 23rd and will fly close by. I'll let you know if there are many caribous in the area if I can find an internet access. Last time I was there I only saw 3 caribous, but that was 3 weeks ago, and about 50 miles south. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll see plenty!
Have fun!
I was up in mid September. An a little more than a hour twin otter ride north west of kuujjuaq. I was up with silak adventures it was the best time I have ever had hunting. Seen thousands of caribou come over a ridge in a couple of days. I the first 4 days every body was tagged out. There were 14 people in camp. My partner and I tagged out in the first 4 hours hunting. Spent six days fishing and bird hunting. that was the life.
Quebec Winter Caribou Hunt
There seems to be a little confusion about the location for this hunt. This is a winter hunt, you can drive to it from Toronto or the US border as the 'bous are migrating south from the tundra to the Trans Tiaga road. Briefly you drive north from Toronto to Noranda to Matagami in Quebec. At 544 km north on on a paved road, you make a hard right turn on the Trans Tiaga Road (good gravel). The various lodges are about 350 km from the right hand turn. Remember that there is no gas from 381 km north of Matagami to the first oufitter on the Trans Tiaga road. Your truck or car must be able to go 500 km between fill ups. Smart folks carry extra fuel and the necessary supplies for a remote location. For interest, follow the migration of the 'bous on the satellite monitoring on the web. Fifty of the 650,000+ caribours have satellite collars and the locations are updates every week. This is a major migration of big game animals- similar to the African migration in terms of numbers.
There seems to be a little confusion about the location for this hunt. This is a winter hunt, you can drive to it from Toronto or the US border as the 'bous are migrating south from the tundra to the Trans Tiaga road. Briefly you drive north from Toronto to Noranda to Matagami in Quebec. At 544 km north on on a paved road, you make a hard right turn on the Trans Tiaga Road (good gravel). The various lodges are about 350 km from the right hand turn. Remember that there is no gas from 381 km north of Matagami to the first oufitter on the Trans Tiaga road. Your truck or car must be able to go 500 km between fill ups. Smart folks carry extra fuel and the necessary supplies for a remote location. For interest, follow the migration of the 'bous on the satellite monitoring on the web. Fifty of the 650,000+ caribours have satellite collars and the locations are updates every week. This is a major migration of big game animals- similar to the African migration in terms of numbers.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
One of the Mirage partners is from Here, I plan on making my way up there in the next few years. Im quite jealous reading this thread
Quebec Winter Caribou Hunt
Levi: Concerning our firearms, most of the shots seem to be about 100 yards os so (some are much closer and occasionaly a long shot, 350 yards across a frozen lake). Our original plans for a SAP for a CA Bren did not pan out. The 'bous are about 300-400 punds, and apparently do not require a whole lot of gun. Our current plans are to take a Remington 700 in 270 with Barnes X handloads and Ruger 77 International carbine in 308. I am tempted to take a Remington 870 fully rifled deer gun just for something different. With Lightfield sabots, it can shoot 3" groups at 125 yards. Should be plenty for 'bous.
Levi: Concerning our firearms, most of the shots seem to be about 100 yards os so (some are much closer and occasionaly a long shot, 350 yards across a frozen lake). Our original plans for a SAP for a CA Bren did not pan out. The 'bous are about 300-400 punds, and apparently do not require a whole lot of gun. Our current plans are to take a Remington 700 in 270 with Barnes X handloads and Ruger 77 International carbine in 308. I am tempted to take a Remington 870 fully rifled deer gun just for something different. With Lightfield sabots, it can shoot 3" groups at 125 yards. Should be plenty for 'bous.
Quebec Winter Caribou
QUEBEC WINTER CARIBOU ALERT!
As I posted previously, our reservations start Monday Dec 4 at Mirage Outfitters. I have been following the caribou monitoring satellite maps and was concerned that the 'bous had moved south and west of the hunting area in Unit 22. At 4:00 pm EST today (Thursday Nov 30), I received a call from the Outfitter advising that the 'bous were few and far between and most have shed their antlers. Our choices are 1. Go anyway, 2. Accept a later booking in the year (first opening is Dec 20) or 3. Apply our reservations to next year (although prices are expected to the 30% higher). We have not deceided yet but will probably go next year. The point of this post, is that I appreciate the honesty of the report from Mirage Outfitters, potentiall saving us a hard two day drive just to get there. IF YOU ARE BOOKED WITH ANOTHER OUTFITTER, TELEPHONE NOW TO OBTAIN AN UPDATE ABOUT THE HUNTING SITUATION. Thanks and I hope this is helpful.
QUEBEC WINTER CARIBOU ALERT!
As I posted previously, our reservations start Monday Dec 4 at Mirage Outfitters. I have been following the caribou monitoring satellite maps and was concerned that the 'bous had moved south and west of the hunting area in Unit 22. At 4:00 pm EST today (Thursday Nov 30), I received a call from the Outfitter advising that the 'bous were few and far between and most have shed their antlers. Our choices are 1. Go anyway, 2. Accept a later booking in the year (first opening is Dec 20) or 3. Apply our reservations to next year (although prices are expected to the 30% higher). We have not deceided yet but will probably go next year. The point of this post, is that I appreciate the honesty of the report from Mirage Outfitters, potentiall saving us a hard two day drive just to get there. IF YOU ARE BOOKED WITH ANOTHER OUTFITTER, TELEPHONE NOW TO OBTAIN AN UPDATE ABOUT THE HUNTING SITUATION. Thanks and I hope this is helpful.
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- Location
- Near Coldwater, Ont
That must be a big disappointment for you, but it's good to hear the outfitter giving you the heads up and the option to reschedule your hunt.
Quebec Winter Caribou Hunt
Workin Man:
Thanks for your thoughts. We have now rescheduled our hunt to 2007. While it is a disappointment to cancel, it would have been a greater disappointment to drive hard for two days, waste gas and the cost of a rental truck and find few or no 'bous. I researched many winter caribou posts on this site and others before booking with Mirage (it took me two years to get a booking). Consistently I was told they are both the best and most expensive (by about $200). To my mind, their calls about few 'bous and offerring to transfer our hunt to a later date or 2007, represents a class act.
If anyone actually hunted 22B after December, I would appreciate your report. Thanks.
Workin Man:
Thanks for your thoughts. We have now rescheduled our hunt to 2007. While it is a disappointment to cancel, it would have been a greater disappointment to drive hard for two days, waste gas and the cost of a rental truck and find few or no 'bous. I researched many winter caribou posts on this site and others before booking with Mirage (it took me two years to get a booking). Consistently I was told they are both the best and most expensive (by about $200). To my mind, their calls about few 'bous and offerring to transfer our hunt to a later date or 2007, represents a class act.
If anyone actually hunted 22B after December, I would appreciate your report. Thanks.
- Location
- the other side of the river
I've hunted up there before in late Dec. early January. No use to drag a snowmobile all the way up there when they rent them right next to the logde for $135 per day. Although it was quite the experience, I would not go back unless I get a draw tag (you and a buddy can shoot 4 each then). I did not consider it hunting, but more like just shooting. Average size is approx. 150-200 lbs (not 300-400lbs).
Mirage is a 5 star place (in my books), they feed you very well and the place is kept clean.
Mirage is a 5 star place (in my books), they feed you very well and the place is kept clean.
