WMU 17, Northern Ontario

[memaquay]

Just a heads up to anyone thinking thinking of coming up to 17. I live up here, and every year I get phone calls from local businesses that have a large party of hunters wanting to go into 17, but not knowing how to get there. Just had a phone call on Friday from the local bait shop, big party from Southern Ontario, trailers full of quads, etc, not realizing there was no road access.

Basically, you can't get there. You can water hunt if you put in at the Kapikotongwa River and boat down past Berger lake, but only on the north shore.
You can water hunt the Ottertail and the Ogoki River, but you will be competing with many other boats.

All those nice roads you see on Google earth are classified as "Non-Access", and they mean it too. If you happen to ignore the sign and take the Reckett road, you will be caught, and the CO up here is all business.

Most of the hunting that goes on in 17 is from fly-in tourist outfitters.

 

[Fisherguy55]

Uncle picked up a lake in 17 this year, saw two bulls opening morning and on Monday a bull and cow. Monday's bull is presently at the butcher, the packout from the pond back to the lake was taxing and took until midnight. Wood stove cranked and a hot shower after was welcomed. Needed the otter and a cessna coming out a little heavy, it's a different experience and worth every penny using a good outfitter. Its not stupid expensive for residents who can get a tag and the largest cost actually goes to the flights.