Outdoors Guy takes a big Provincial step

youth

(Photo depicts how I feel right now)

Ok folks, this may sound hard to believe for those who don’t know me that well, BUT, brace yourself for this…and promise not to laugh. 

I do NOT currently have an Ontario Hunting Card..there, I said it!! 

Yes, after living in Ontario for nearly 15-years, I thought it was high time I take the Ontario Hunter’s exam to finally get my very own, very first Ontario Hunting Card. 

I’m a big boy now – soon to be hunting in a very big province! 

In my 30+ years of hunting on the Quebec-side, I honestly never saw the need to pursue game over here; nor did I really have the sparetime. 

Until now… 

Let’s just say the coyote situation has prompted me to get my arse in gear; as it were. Who knows, I might even get back into trapping too. At least I’ve already taken the ON trapping course and managed to hold onto the certificate. 

Believe it or not, I actually did take the Ontario Hunter’s Safety Course back in 1988, while I was attending Carleton University. I never did end-up taking the exam or getting my card, though, don’t ask me why. 

Unfortunately the MNR told me yesterday they have long since lost any record of that course from the 80’s, but fortunately with my Quebec hunting card I am allowed to challenge the Ontario Hunter’s Exam, but only once.

Yippee!!! (Wait a sec, I’m not there yet)

If I pass, I can upgrade my current Outdoors Card to my very own IMA HUNTER Card. (Except with 187/Brown on it) If I fail, well, lets just say I will be acting rather sheepish for awhile..never to speak of this again. (and may even be forced to delete this post) 

huntercard

When I finally decided I wanted to take this Ontario hunting thing by the horns,  I got in contact with my old friend Wenda Cochran. She will be fixing me up with the Exam to be held on March 27th in Carp. 

I have it marked on my calendar with an asterisk!! 

You see, I took the Firearms Exam (PAL) with Wenda several years ago and it was as smooth as butter. She and her husband Peter do a marvellous job, so keep them in mind. Wenda is in charge of the Hunter Safety course, the Canadian Firearms Course & Exams, Possession & Acquisition, Minor’s Permit and Hunting License. 

To contact Wenda Cochran: 

http://lanark.realontario.ca/browse-sectors/education/13957.html 

Who knows, this whole Ontario hunting thing may turn into a great long-term relationship in a province which certainly has a lot to offer, from all the stories I’ve heard(& written) over the years.

Feel free to comment(those who aren’t too shocked or disgusted)

Outdoorsguy

54 thoughts on “Outdoors Guy takes a big Provincial step”

  1. I have no doubt that you will pass with flying colors. I’ve got a few spots for deer, ducks/geese and coyote… You have an open invitation anytime!

    1. Thanks Dave..that would be awesome, I may just take you up on that sometime!

      Regards,

      Outdoorsguy

  2. Don’t worry Jeff, both my boys took their courses with Wenda. As far as i saw she is one of the best and she is really good with the youngsters, so you’re in good hands. LOL

    1. Thanks Paul..I can’t say enough about Wenda and your endorsement of her helps too!

      Think I should get a copy of the hunter’s course manual?

      Outdoorsguy

  3. Jeff, I have no doubt in your abilities to pass. From what I read and hear from you, you’ll go through the test like a well place broadhead thru a deer. 🙂

    Good luck.

    Serge

    1. Thought you might say that Rick…at least this way I too may join in everyone’s joy and (sometimes) frustration of being a registered hunter in this province!

      Outdoorsguy

  4. Good luck Jeff……

    Now as for this QUOTE”I might even get back into trapping too. At least I’ve already taken the ON trapping course and managed to hold onto the certificate.”

    Hopefully that certificate is no older than 5 years or you’ll be taking that exam again too…..

      1. Ok, now Im scared to ask, but I also took the Ontario Wild Turkey Seminar back around 1990..actually, one of the first years it was offered before the OFAH was even involved.

        So, I have my certificate for that as well…does that mean I’ll need to take the seminar over again?

        What is the point of these things if some years later they’re no longer valid? Its not like I’ve lots the skills or anything….ok, well maybe a little..

        Outdoorsguy

  5. You only have to take the turkey seminar once, the MNR has that on record,
    Once you pass the hunting test you can purchase a turkey licence. Before
    you challenge the exam make sure you go over the manual. Best of luck.

    1. Thanks Ian, so you think I should go over the manual just in case?

      There’s actually a website where you can purchase the download for about $3…seems like a good deal.

      Outdoorsguy

    1. Hey Denis…actually I’ve been hunting in QC as a non-resident for nearly 15-years now since I moved here. I will still be hunting in La Belle Province, you never have to worry about that..

      Using my old QC hunting Card(with the perm sticker) is the only way I could get out of taking the whole ON hunting course over again..other than that, I would never have needed my old QC card. I actually had trouble even finding it to be honest.

      When purchasing non-resident hunting/fishing licences in QC you don’t need any card..

      Good to hear from you Denis, stop by more often!

      Outdoorsguy

  6. That’s great! I plan on doing the same this spring. I’ve been offered many opportunities to hunt with groups of friends and family, but I never had the time to get out there. Time off from my own family and work was always a challenge. This year though, everything has changed and I’m making it a priority for myself. I’m excited and looking forward to so many more opportunities to spend time outdoors with great people… and to start hunting!

    1. GPG, it sounds like we’ve got an exciting year(s) ahead of us!!

      Will you be doing trips on both sides of the river?

      Outdoorsguy

  7. I think I will stay on the Ontario side. Non-resident costs can get a little high from what I’ve seen. I do fish on both sides though. If I do hunt in Quebec, it will be for caribou up near James Bay. I will be hunting for moose in northern Ontario near Timmins, and for deer here in the west Ottawa valley.

    My main concern is whether I want to hunt with a bow or a rifle. I have invitations for both, but I haven’t decided which I would prefer. My budget and time won’t allow me to do both. I’m sure in the future I will, but for now I’d rather concentrate on one of the two. I’m leaning towards bow hunting for many reasons, and mostly because I want to learn from what I consider are better hunters from the groups that have offered me an opportunity.

    Now, the selection of a bow is whole other story!

  8. … and by better hunters I don’t mean more successful. They seem to place more importance on reading the land and understanding the animal, and getting out of the camp earlier in the moring, preventing odors, positioning, etc. I think I can learn more from the bow hunting groups.

    1. And of course GPG, understanding the land, reading the animal and doing all your homework etc together are what make hunting a more interesting and challenging sport…sounds like those are good guys to be around!

      We are very much like that in our camp.. a group of hunters who take the sport very seriously..from start to finish..laying the groundwork, scouting and research, and ultimately coming together as a team..thats the part I thoroughly enjoy.

      They say hockey or baseball are great ‘team sports’, well I challenge anyone to find a better(or older) team sport than hunting..sure, we occasionally hunt on our own, but the gang mentality and working together as a ‘well oiled machine’ is what its all about for me..and for many of true hunters Ive known over the years.

      Once you’ve spent several seasons out in the woods with the same group of guys..learned how they act and react in the bush…under certain situaitons, then you can say you understand the importance of the team concept..I know Im babbling, but I think this is the heart and soul of why most of us spend long hours in the bush each fall for a week or two..(& then spend the rest of the year analyzing it)

      Outdoorsguy

  9. Quote…..”most of us spend long hours in the bush each fall for a week or two..(& then spend the rest of the year analyzing it) END QUOTE

    I love this philosophy. It ensures that I get the bush all to myself for the remaining 50 or 51 weeks

    1. Not everyone has the luxury of hunting and trapping all year long….ahh, dare to dream!

      Outdoorsguy

  10. Jeff in Ontario you will not have to limit yourself to a week or two in the bush for deer hunting. Our archery season is 92 days long!

    1. Oh, I know that Rick…I am personally limited by the amount of work I have in a given year…trust me, if it wasn’t for that, I’d be into bow, muzzleloader and even slingshot if I could..hehe

      Outdoorsguy

    1. Trapper you may be right about Iggy, I sent him an email at work and got the Vacation message back..the nerve!

      Outdoorsguy

  11. Jeff it’s all about time management and commitment. I usually get out around 80 days a year deer hunting. I am as busy as anyone but can find an hour or two most days to get out. Some days I spend less than an hour on stand.

    My 2008 buck was a prime example. I barely beat him to the stand. I was there less than 15 minutes when he showed up.

    If the desire is there you will make the effort. I still have not successfully killed a deer in my basement working.

    1. Rick, I guess now that I’ll be hunting closer to home, slipping out for a couple of hours here and there will be a possibility..me likey!

      And I totally agree with you about timing too, oftentimes just a few minutes either way can make or break your entire season.

      Outdoorsguy

  12. Jeff i’ve got a manual here if interrested. My wife took the course last fall so its a recent . although if you can downlaod it for 3$. e-mail me if you want it. And i do agree you should go through it before the test!

    1. Thanks mcdan for the offer, I’m just going to download it tomorrow am, it’ll give me a chance to play with my wife’s paypal account..and yes, regardless
      of how much I think I know, it is still best to study the manual inside and out, especially since Im only getting one shot at this!

      Outdoorsguy

  13. Wow all you need is your passport and do some hunting in the south… and some fishing to .. hope you pass.

    1. Hey Chess, I’ve had my passport for quite awhile…but never hunted down there.

      How’d you make out with the stripers?

      Not sure what happened to Iggy, ever since we talked about stripers, etc, before you left, we havent heard from him since!

      Outdoorsguy

  14. sent you some pics and vid .. not the best quality but shows how tuff a fighter they are. we were using 16 lb test and stiff rods …. ( iggy dont start lol ) the fishing was down right awsome and the weather was exellent. best fishing trip i have had in a long long time .. the drive was bad both coming and going . we saw bucks with head gear still on .. The sad part is i have been going down there for over 20 years and just found out the NRA museum is only 2 hours from his house…… i wish i could type a story,and make it sound coherent . lets just say for 4 days straight the stripers pushed the bait into back bays, and as they say down there we “wore them out”

    1. Great pics Chessy..thank you!

      Looks like you guys had fun down there..is it me, or was it a bit nippy by their standards?

      Whats the biggest striped bass you caught??

      Outdoorsguy

  15. jeff….(and anyone else that has my e-mail address) .Can you e-mail me ? My entire ‘contasct list’ got wiped out recently, got a cool pic to share with ya’ll

  16. those days were cool and very very rainy. monday was in the low 70s most days were 32 in morning warming to mid 50s biggest striper i caught was about 13-15 lbs.. i dont usually take pictures of myself its just something i never do pics of fish on the ground or dock is all i have . boy oh boy we had a feed last night of the m and they are deeeeelecouse …

    1. Question Chessy, did you declare the fish when crossing the border, and if so, did they give you any trouble?

      Did you fry them and would they taste like a smallmouth up here?

      Outdoorsguy

  17. I tell the custom officers every thing . i have seen cars and trucks tore apart.. i told them i had fish i even left a piece of skin on them like we have to do here . i dont think it is required but i do it any way (something that i will have to check on . it really just makes it easier i brought back the rest of my deer meat as well… i showed him my hunting and fishing lic and asked me what i bought i said 50 bucks worth of stuff. and he sent me on my way.

    they dont taste like any bass… i find them better than walleye myself. the only thing that beats them is crappie . if you were closer i would give you some .to taste.

    recipie for stripers is cut into chunks and soak in water and garlic salt for 5 hours in fridge ( most important part) mix egg up coat with egg and then use shake and bake original .. and deep fry…. my kids go ape —- over it .

  18. You guys stop hunting/trapping/scouting/etc after season is over? There is always something open to go after.

    1. Rob St Denis, what do pursue at this time of year..hares, rabbits, coyotes?

      Chessy, Trapper ever seen any European Hare’s down your way..I remember seeing one in Lindsay years ago, but Ive never spotted one up here in Eastern ON.

      Rick, ever put together a European Hare mount??

      Thats one impressive bunny..bet they could eat a snowshoe hare without much trouble…well, if they ate meat that is.

      Outdoorsguy

  19. used to chase jack rabbits years ago… now if i see one i just admire it, not too many in this area..

  20. we’ve got a lot of hares out our way (farm land/bush) … so we take a few a year

    coyotes we take as many as make their way up the pasture here

    the big thing at this time of year is getting the prep done for next fall, bait sites, boxes, lure, scouting dens/tracks

    I make use of google maps a lot for marking out where I see tracks and when, after a few months, the common traffic areas start being very clear

  21. jeff just got a call from the guy that ate the striped bass last night.. he said it rates right up there with walleye and crappie.. he said it was very good .

    1. Ok Chessy, but what about perch…is it as good as perch which is prob as good or better than the other two.

      Just pulling yer leg, it does sound great…marinating in water(or milk) though, is that because of a higher oil content than our freshwater fish up here have?

      That is something you normally see in saltwater fish like mackerel and bluefish..to leach the oil out before cooking.(I’ve actually got a section in the Canadian Wild Fish Cookbook about it..)

      Outdoorsguy

  22. probably because of there diet of shad .. there is red meat which is very oily so you maybe correct

    1. My Big Day finally came!!

      I drove into Carp yesterday evening to challenge the Ontario Hunting Exam. By the time I arrived, a classroom of students was already busy writing the test. They had just completed the course, but if you recall, since I have a QC hunting card, I was allowed to challenge the exam – one time only. If I failed, then I too would be taking the course.

      Well, I am proud to say I passed and will now finally be getting my ON hunting card, followed closely by an ON small game license.

      It was a real relief and I was pleased to see the exam was not nearly as difficult as I expected…(I wont tell you what I got, cause I hate to brag..hehe)

      Outdoorsguy

  23. ……In Ontario the money from hunter licence fees contributes to monitoring and protecting wildlife……Hunting is an important activity for people around the world. For others hunting is a recreational activity that provides an opportunity to further friendships and family ties. For most hunters it is also a chance to experience nature and relax in the outdoors while making an important contribution to conservation…Regulating Hunting..Strict laws regulate when where what and how a person can hunt.

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