Author: theoutdoorsguy

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Ontario's moose population in peril?

In my latest Outdoors column in SUN Media’s Pembroke Daily Observer, I discuss several springtime activities such as; wild turkey hunting, fishing for brook trout, being bear safe and perhaps most important, sifting through details and implications of the Ontario moose tag draw.

Thanks to our pal Keebler for sharing his thoughts and information on the 2014 Ontario Moose season draw which, by some accounts, may indicate a population be in peril.

 

You be the judge…

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2014/04/28/area-sportsmen-busy-gobbling-up-wild-turkeys

 

Area sportsmen busy gobbling up wild turkeys!

Jeff Morrison, the Daily Observer's newest columnist, offers up his take on the great outdoors.

Jeff Morrison, the Daily Observer’s newest columnist, offers up his take on the great outdoors.

 

With the start to the annual Ontario wild turkey season, gobbler enthusiasts across the Valley will be out hot pursuit of trophy beards and spurs.

For thousands of wild turkey hunters, April 25 marks the kick-off to another coveted spring gobbler season. Thanks to successful reintroduction programs dating back 30 years ago, wild turkey populations across the province have reached sustainable levels. As we have witnessed over the past few years, there are more bird sightings than ever in the valley and around eastern Ontario, and the hunt is improving each spring. The glorious gobbler has evolved into one of the most prolific and tastiest games species around, so you had better get used to them!

Although most hunters are aware, it is illegal to hunt turkeys within 400 meters of any place where bait has been deposited, unless the place has been bait-free for at one week. Bait is described as corn, wheat, oats or any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait. Following the rules is part of the game and it would be a shame to ruin a great hunt by pushing your luck. I wish local turkey hunters all the best and feel free to drop me a line with news from your area!

Moose tags way down!

Bullwinkle enthusiasts are scrambling to take part of the moose draw which runs until June 2. The province recently announced a substantial reduction in adult moose tags for 2014. The reduction, said to be approximately 18 per cent overall, is in response to a declining moose herd in northern Ontario, as noted by Ministry of Natural Resources winter aerial surveys. Some areas of Northwestern Ontario will see upwards of 88 per cent fewer tags this fall; which comes as a shock to moose aficionados. Hunters like Brian Houle, of Stittsville, are very concerned indeed and left with more than a few questions.

“Why didn’t the MNR implement measures a few years ago?” says Houle, who hunts WMU 37. This hunter wonders what effect predators have had on the province’s moose.

“Bears have been unregulated for 15 years since they took the spring hunt out,” Houle adds. “North of the French River you need a tag for wolf/coyote and only a maximum of 2, what is the impact of those packs on moose?”

With the current state of Ontario moose, Brian Houle is considering Quebec this year to give our province’s moose population a chance to rebound. For more information on the tag draw: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/OC/2ColumnSubPage/STDU_131065.html

Scribe heading for trout

In a couple of short weeks as I head off on my annual trout fishing adventure with my dad and brother-in-laws, my head will abuzz with visions of tall trees and behemoth brook trout. It doesn’t really matter how far from town you travel, so long as you bask in Mother Nature’s eternal glow. Enjoying the peacefulness found in a delicate call of the white-throated sparrow, or the courtship ritual of the common loon. Playing cards and horseshoes and scouting the backwoods trails on ATV are part of the experience. For all the avid trout anglers in the Valley, here’s to tight lines, bent rods and brookies over three pounds!

Being bear safe

When travelling in bear country this spring, be sure to keep your wits about you. When portaging up north during the trout season I always carry a can of bear spray and, although I’ve never used it, it is always at the ready! Statistics show there are a dozen or so bear attacks in North America each year, and some of which don’t end well. Bear spray can be purchased at local hunting and fishing stores and, keep in mind, that there may be some paperwork to fill-out. Bear spray provides a bit of extra insurance in bear country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Shriner charged in incident with Animal Rights group

 

I would like to share my frustration regarding an incident with Shriner’s senior chairman Lionel Rowe, in a scuffle involving a member of Animal Rights Group, Ottawa Animal Defense League (OADL) member Len Goldberg.

As someone who’s personally had a brush with this same organization; several years ago when I brought my young daughters to the Shriners Circus at the St Laurent Mall, I know exactly the frustration Mr. Rowe must be feeling. (Well, everything but the being charged with assault part)

Evidently the OADL was finally successful in suckering someone into a fight; as I’m quite sure this was their intent all along with this upstanding member of the Shriners. The OADL tried the same tactic on me which, fortunately remained nothing more than a shouting match. (I made sure to remain calm and keep my cool)

The Ottawa SUN confirmed in an article yesterday that “The chairman of the Capital Shrine Club is to appear in court this month after a protester was allegedly choked outside a Shrine Circus performance at the RA Centre last year.”

The report went-on to say; “The OADL claims Len Goldberg was participating in a legal protest, sanctioned by a City of Ottawa permit, on public property near the RA Centre. It claims Goldberg was assaulted with a choke-hold that lasted about 30 seconds and only ended when the attacker’s hands were pried off”

During the incident I had with this OADL, my passage to the Shrine Circus was actually blocked by these so-called legal protestors handing out propaganda pamphlets. One member of the group told me (as I walked hand-in-hand with my daughters) that  I should be ASHAMED that I was subjecting my kids to such animal cruelty!

Cruelty? I asked, as I went-on to explain to this individual that I was a supporter of the Shriners and all the good work they carry-out in their children’s hospitals.

We exchanged a few words but there was no reasoning with this bunch.

He would not listen to anything I had to say and went-on to berate me for my support of the Shriners. (One of my daughter’s was crying by this point) Feeling me heart-rate on the rise, I choose to push past the barking sound of his megaphone, but not before tossing a few pamphlets in the air!

Although I felt like tackling this individual to the ground myself, I knew it would get me nowhere and only serve to further their cause.

Evidently in the case of Shriner’s chairman Lionel Rowe, he was unable to keep his cool, allowing another misguided animal rights group another small victory.

Yes, in a twisted sort of way, lawsuits of this nature play right into their hands!

My thoughts go out to Mr. Rowe and the rest of the Shriners. May this one unfortunate incident NOT tarnish the image of an organization that donates millions each year to aid crippled children, at no cost to the families, I might add.

Whose needs are being served by the Ottawa Animal Defense League?

I have no idea…it certainly isn’t the animals.

 

Outdoorsguy

 

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Premier Wynne approves 'experimental' spring bear hunt

Wonders never cease, the Liberal government has decided to go ahead with an experimental six-week spring bear hunt beginning on May 1st.

Premiere Wynne’s camp indicated this weekend that the government has concerns about “public safety and human-bear conflicts.”

This decision will undoubtedly stir animal rights groups who have always maintained that a spring bear hunt orphans far too many cubs.

I will be a guest this morning with my old pal Ed Hand on his radio show Talk to the Hand.

For those who missed my segment earlier this week, log onto 1310’s website:

http://www.1310news.com/2014/04/08/talk-to-the-hand-ontarios-spring-bear-hunt-returns/

Thanks again to Ed for opening-up discussion on this very important issue. Be sure to check out his show Talk to the Hand on 1310 News!


Outdoorsguy

 

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Ontario beards and spurs on the way!

(Imacdon with a nice looking Tom!)

With three weeks, or so, left until Ontario’s 2014 Spring wild turkey season, its a time that many hunters have been waiting for with baited breath!

Although I had promised myself that 2014 would be my year for turkey hunting, it didn’t quite happen but next year for sure..I mean, I took my turkey seminar over 20 years ago so I’m due!

Every morning on way into work I am taunted by gobblers all over the place! I predict some good calling conditions ahead if this spring-like weather continues into late April.

What are your plans for turkey season and where are you headed? By the way, next issue of Bounder coming-out in the next week or two.

Gobble gobble!!

 

Outdoorsguy

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Spring, a breath of fresh air

My ‘One year anniversary’ Outdoors Column  is now available in the Pembroke Daily Observer. If you’ve never read the Pembroke paper, do yourself a favour and check it out!

Here is the Daily Observer online:

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2014/03/21/spring-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-area-sportsmen

 

Or read it here:

 

Spring, a breath of fresh air for area sportsmen!

By Jeff Morrison

Jeff Morrison, the Daily Observer's newest columnist, offers up his take on the great outdoors.

(Jeff Morrison, the Daily Observer’s newest columnist, offers up his take on the great outdoors.)

 

With scant few hunting or fishing opportunities at this time, Valley sportsmen are dealing with the calm before the storm.

I don’t know about you but the arrival of spring can’t come soon enough! Winter may have its merit but after five long months of its icy grip, enough is enough! Besides, there’s just something unique about spring to get your blood pumping. Perhaps it’s the impending kick-off to trout and turkey season or the aura of rebirth created by seasonal change that rejuvenates the soul of true outdoorsmen, who knows. To hear the thumping drum of that first grouse of the year, or to catch a glimpse of the first wild garlic shoot pocking its head out of the forest floor, are all tell-tail sights that a new season is afoot. I realize spring imagery is difficult to imagine now with two feet of snow on the ground, but at least we’re on the homeward stretch and before you can say, pass the bug spray, we’ll be breaking out the turkey calls and trout tackle like they’re going out of style!

Gobble Gobble

With only a month or so until the province’s turkey opener, hunters are reminded that if you should happen to harvest a gobbler this spring, you only have until noon the next day to report it. Dial 1-800-288-1155, select the Turkey Harvest Reporting option and have your Hunting Card available. You will be asked questions about your hunt and location of harvest, and will need to identify the age and sex of your bird. To purchase a license using the automated phone line, you may call the same 1-800 number until April 30. Your wild turkey license and game seal will be mailed the next business day. From all accounts we should be in-store for another great gobbler season!

Valley Heritage Radio

Be sure to tune into Valley Heritage Radio 98.7 FM, for a new show airing the last Saturday of each month. Hosted by my old pal Brian Corbin of the Arnprior Fish and Game Club, the new radio show boasts copious outdoor action tempered with a touch of local flavour. Brian’s new radio spot will focus on the local service club scene and have features like conservation corner. This month’s spotlight is on birding and bird house construction, followed by turkeys and whitetail food plots in April.

Ferry trouble

Since the closure of the famous Deux-Rivières ferry three years ago, folks in the upper Ottawa Valley wishing to ‘jump the river’ were forced to either cross at Swisha, or travel much further up to Témiscaming. As someone who’s travelled the valley to access Quebec trout waters each spring for the past 25 years, trust me this ferry closure has been a royal pain! But alas, news from our ZEC office across the river indicates that a new ferry is being constructed in Mattawa. If anyone has heard rumblings if this new Mattawa ferry, please drop me a line and I will outline more details in my April column.

Valley fishing Show

Speaking of April, the 14th Annual Valley Fishing and Outdoors Show arrives next month! The brainchild of Valley boy Dave Arbour, this year’s show is set for April 4- 6 at the Carp Fairgrounds and Arena, and will feature everything from casting ponds to archery, shooting and fishing simulators. With more than 100 exhibitors and lots of hunting and fishing equipment, this event is a must do for Valley sportsmen. The awesome thing about this show is you’re bound to run into someone you know. For more information, contact: Dave Arbour at 613)-257-7489.

Huts be gone!

The March 31 ice-hut removal date for Pembroke District seems to arrive too early for hut operators and anglers alike. Folks in Pembroke district have until the end of the month to haul their huts away and remember that MNR law enforcement doesn’t take kindly to anglers who allow huts to end up in waterways after ice out; which poses a hazard to anglers and boaters. Anyone who has not removed their ice hut by March 31 is in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and could face charges. Take note that winter angling remains open on most lakes and rivers after all the huts are gone; however, ice conditions tend to be sketchy and unsafe by that point.

Column Anniversary

This month marks the one year anniversary of my Outdoors Guy column in the Pembroke Daily Observer. I would very much like to thank Managing Editor Anthony Dixon and Publisher Jim Kwiatkowski for the opportunity of contributing to this fine publication on a regular basis. Sharing a passion and love for the Great Outdoors with folks in the Valley is something I am very proud of.

Please feel free to email me anytime (theoutdoorsguy@rogers.com) with suggestions or observation from your own hunting and fishing endeavors.

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A farewell to Duke…

Frequent Blog contributor, avid hunter and dog enthusiast Ian MacDonald had an extremely difficult weekend…

We was forced to put down his favourite hunting dog Duke – a decision our friend Ian came-to, no doubt, with heavy heart.

Here is Ian’s story…

 

Put my old dog down today, that was tough.

I’ve been a dog guy since I was 15 years old. Every dog I’ve had has been a good one. They say you only get a good dog once in your life.

Duke was the best.

There was not a ground hog or racoon he could tolerate. He did not have much respect for coyotes either. He was unbelievable on pheasant and ducks. I went pheasant hunting one time with a fellow who said he had a good dog. There were 3 of us and we had 12 pheasants put out, Duke flushed all 12 and retrieved all 12.

I ‘ve seen him chase a duck 3/4 of a mile across the lake get out on the other side of the lake and bring the duck back.

We used him for chasing deer the few years we did not have a hound. I always knew when there was a deer around.

My new dog has big feet to fill…”

 

Ian’s old pal Duke was also the star of his own story in a Blog article from October, 2012, entitled My Favourite Hunting Companion:

http://blogs.canoe.com/outdoorsguy/hunting/my-favourite-hunting-companion/

 

Outdoorsguy

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Maple syrup on the way!

There is nothing quite  like the maple syrup time of year, and I have spent more years than I can recall working the sugar bush. Times I will never forget..not easy work, mind you, but extremely rewarding and tasty!

What a blast it was – running lines, repairing breaks, tapping, watching the evaporator, taking-off the syrup and running the old creaky canner. The whole operation is a hoot right down to the moment when that first batch of syrup comes off…man, it tastes awesome when its warm.

There is a certain science involved in any maple syrup operation; from understanding the sap’s sugar content at various times of the year, knowing the colour, taste and density of different grades of syrup, to skills like understanding how to build and maintain the perfect fire to keep your evaporator going steady. Its not as easy as its sounds!

Then there’s moment when the ‘webbing starts’ at precisely 7 degrees above boiling point of water, and your pure maple syrup is ripe for the picking, or pouring I should say.

Old school syrup producers have never used modern gauges and I’m sure never worried about it either. They can read more in the webbing off their ladle than a thousand sophisticated gauges could ever read..now that is science in itself.

The final product, well, it is a thing of beauty and there is really nothing in the world that compares to the taste of fresh maple syrup, or taffy on snow.

Canada produces 90% of the world’s supply of maple syrup(majority from QC) – a statistic we should be extremely proud of.  It is a big part of our heritage just like hunting, fishing or the fur industry. 

Now get out there and enjoy some pure Canadian goodness!! The forecast looks good for sap to run over the next few days and lets hope favorable temperatures remain long enough for another great season!

I just heard from our pal Ian MacDonald who will be out in the sugar bush this week!

 

Outdoorsguy

 

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Coyote Seminar – Getting to know our wiley neighbours

A seminar entitled;  Coyotes – Getting to know our wiley neighbours, came to Ottawa Friday night…too bad I only heard about it on Saturday after reading SUN Columnist Susan Sherring’s article.

According to Sherring’s column, the seminar given by Dr. Stan Gehrt – a world renowned wildlife ecologist from Ohio State University… was brought to the nation’s capital to “provide insight on how people in urban and rural developments can coexist with coyotes,”

It  would have been nice to attend this seminar since it is  topic near and dear to a lot of people’s hearts in this City and something I have been covering over the past few years, however no one in the City thought to mention it. Having someone who covers the outdoors locally attend the seminar, and then sharing details afterward would have been a terrific idea, don’t you think?

Ottawa’s wildlife seminar series is intended to increase residents’ knowledge and appreciation of wildlife to “promote coexistence through understanding and respect.”

Did anyone attend this seminar, I invite you to share the details of what was presented. There seemed to be some concern over the cost of this seminar, although I find $1300 to be minuscule compared to the importance of dealing with the Urban coyote situation we have.

Outdoorsguy

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Ontario Spring bear hunt – proposed pilot project

For those who haven’t heard, the MNR (with the support of the OFAH) have proposed a pilot spring bear hunt project to take place in 8 wildlife management units (mostly in the North) in areas with high levels of nuisance bear activity. The main communities affected are Timmins, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay.

The project would consist of a limited early (Spring) bear hunting season for Ontario residents from May 1st to June 15th, in 2014 and 2015.

What do think of this proposed initiative? Make your thoughts known on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry  – enter the code:  012-0981:

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTIxNTE3&statusId=MTgxOTg4

 

In an open letter to the editor, the OFAH has spoken out publicly on this proposed pilot spring hunt:
Dear Editor: 

Some northern Ontario communities are on the brink of experiencing a spring bear hunt for the first time in 15 years. The Ontario Government has finally listened to the concerns of northerners, and proposed a pilot project that will bring back the spring bear hunt to a limited number of northern communities during the next two years. While this partial reinstatement is a positive step, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) strongly believes that all of bear country deserves the benefits of a spring hunt. The OFAH has worked tirelessly during the past 15 years to bring a spring bear hunt back to Ontario and will continue to push for its full return.

The decision to cancel the spring bear hunt was driven by politics, and was in no way based on science. Although Ontario still has a healthy and sustainable bear population, the big city animal rights extremists responsible for lobbying the government in 1999 will try to block the return of the spring bear hunt. The OFAH is calling on northern Ontario residents to help us make sure that does not happen.

Ontario’s spring bear hunt was a proven and sustainable wildlife management tool used to assist with the maintenance of bear densities at levels that minimized dangerous encounters with people. The spring hunt was particularly important for reducing male bear densities (70% of the total spring harvest) to help lessen cannibalism and aggression on other bears, decrease the number of moose calves and deer fawns killed by bears and minimize problems with people.

The spring bear hunt was an excellent example of a sustainable use of a renewable natural resource that offers enormous benefits for the residents of Ontario. Nowhere was this more evident than in northern Ontario communities where the hunt provided wholesome food, valuable hides, rewarding experiences for thousands of hunters, and generated over $40 million every year to help sustain hundreds of family businesses and associated jobs.

OFAH members are your neighbours, and want the best possible wildlife management for northern Ontario. Please take a few minutes and express your support for the spring bear hunt. It can be as simple as saying “I support the spring bear hunt.” 

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

 

Is this a political play or a wildlife management move?? I suppose only time will tell…

 

Outdoorsguy

 

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Tough times for our white-tailed deer

 

As most of us have feared, this winter looks like it could be a doozy for our white-tailed deer population.  I suppose after a handful of mild winters we are now paying our dues, so to speak.

And bitter cold temperatures this year are the least of the deer’s problem. They can handle the cold but it’s the snow I’m worried about!

Snow conditions, with a weak crust formed by our mid-winter melt and pack, make travel and escape more difficult than usual. So far, we are a long way off the massive snow depth experienced back in 2008- 2009, but with higher than average snowfall this winter and a meagre crust unable to support a deer’s weight, times are tough indeed!

Our friend imacdon has witnessed the results first-hand in these graphic deer kill images taken around his property:

IMG_0508

 

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It is very disappointing to think that after more than 5 years of a population on the rebound, our whitetail herd could be in store for another big hit.

And with a healthy, relatively uncontrolled, predator population in eastern ON and western QC our whitetails will need to pull out all the stops this year in order to survive. Since December  my trailcams have captured scant few deer images, even in the whitetail wintering area. The number of coyote images captured has; however, remained steady.

I know I am crossing my fingers for the deer this year….and my toes too!

 

So,  what can we do to help? Here are three options (I’ve been practising option #2)

1)Backyard feeding

When carried out properly, supplemental deer feeding is a wonderful past-time and can be of benefit to these animals when snow depth reaches more than 1 metre. Finding the proper balance between protein and fibre for the deer’s diet can be tricky and without knowing it many backyard feeders may actually be hurting the animal’s chances of survival.  If you had not started a feeding program during early season, it is probably too late to start now, as the animal’s digestive system would have needed to adapt to the supplemented diet. 

2)Improved Access and predator control

There are other ways we can help deer during the colder months besides feeding.  By creating new access trails and cutting fresh browse, we greatly increase their food availability and expand travel corridors. A network of hard-packed trails will serve as escape routes from predators. By improving access to winter habitat and cutting additional feed, we go a long way to helping these animals make it through the winter. For folks who are looking to help deer this winter, perhaps get out for a little coyote hunting in areas where it is permitted.  It is a challenging sport and less predators around would also help the deer’s chance of survival.

3) Call upon MNR for assistance

Through the Emergency Deer Feeding Program – The MNR ‘s Snow Network for Ontario Wildlife looks at risk assessment and on the very rare occasion will implement an emergency feeding program in certain areas. Over the past 15 years, I believe I’ve only seen this program implemented once! During the winters of 2008-2009 when RECORD snowfall was recorded in Central Canada, no measures were put in place to provide aid to whitetail deer in Ontario. An estimated 30% of the population died-off in just two years!

For more information on the Snow Network for Ontario Wildlife:

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@fw/documents/document/mnr_e001298.pdf

 

 

Outdoorsguy