Deer camp 2022

[Pheroze]

I had a bit of land in NW Ontario for a few years now. But work prevents me from getting there frequently, but I made it with some friends this fall. I am still learning the area, and it is some gnarly terrain! I don't have a moose tag this year, so naturally, this is the only scat I found:

So, anyway, it's deer this year...

There are no large fields. No agriculture close to us. So I have been hunting through the woods. This area was at least a little open:

So I hunted up into the wind. I sat on a pond

I also sat on an area where the terrain forced a pinch point. I saw lots of trails but no deer poop or fresh browse. That seems weird because the deer population is abundant in this area. It could be I probably sound like a guerrilla in a morris dancer's outfit. But moving through those woods is hard going.

I have identified some areas to set up a tree stand and bait. If I had more time, I would cut trails and set up a food plot. But that is for another time.

Thanks for reading. I hope you folks had a more productive deer season.

 

[gillettehunter]

Thick stuff makes for hard hunting. Sorry you didn't do better.
Bruce

 

[BRICKBURN]

Time to make those kids of yours do a little conservation project for you.

 

[Trogon]

I'm envious you have a place to call your own. Sorry to read about your deer hunt this year. Great to be with your friends regardless.

 

[zephyr]

Good looking Grouse cover

 

[Fixfire]

You’re living the dream!! Hunting on a little piece of heaven that you own - what’s not to love?!?!? Sounds like a great project. If you want to see game around every bend, go to Africa!!

 

[Pheroze]

Time to make those kids of yours do a little conservation project for you.

We have plans, that's for sure. But, their age and stage meant they couldn't make it this fall and only one could in the summer. We will get there though. Introducing the boys to the outdoors was the best dad moment.

Good looking Grouse cover

I came across a couple, one massive one, but was in deer mode. I would think I would find more.

You’re living the dream!! Hunting on a little piece of heaven that you own - what’s not to love?!?!? Sounds like a great project. If you want to see game around every bend, go to Africa!!

That's funny because I was thinking that exact thing when my bright orange vest was snagged for the 200th time!

 

[Hunter4752001]

I'm somewhat green with envy. The block may be a bit thick at the moment, but over time it can be developed. Are there any restrictions on adopting first nations style controlled burns during the cold season? A technique indigenous peoples in Australia and North America have used to thin out the vegetation and promote new grasses and hence increased food for game.

 

[Pheroze]

I'm somewhat green with envy. The block may be a bit thick at the moment, but over time it can be developed. Are there any restrictions on adopting first nations style controlled burns during the cold season? A technique indigenous peoples in Australia and North America have used to thin out the vegetation and promote new grasses and hence increased food for game.

Thanks. It feels like a lot at this point. But I love it here. I would not chance a burn as I just don't have that skill set.

 

[dobber]

Its like my place, you build it they will come, great looking property and will try one of these years to make it up to give you a hand when heading to my place a bit further west
Pick a spot for the stand (knowing you might get up there when it gets a bit colder as well) and cut some shooting lanes and be prepared to trim up every year. Hate going to cut it in the early fall or late summer, too many leaves, but in the spring before the bugs show up will make it easier to pick spots
Was wondering how your week went up there, mine, well it got 4 days longer than I first thought so jealous lol

 

[John Wasmuth]

The drought here in Texas pretty much Ed killed all the thick under growth so nothing to burn here at our place.

 

[Pheroze]

Its like my place, you build it they will come, great looking property and will try one of these years to make it up to give you a hand when heading to my place a bit further west
Pick a spot for the stand (knowing you might get up there when it gets a bit colder as well) and cut some shooting lanes and be prepared to trim up every year. Hate going to cut it in the early fall or late summer, too many leaves, but in the spring before the bugs show up will make it easier to pick spots
Was wondering how your week went up there, mine, well it got 4 days longer than I first thought so jealous lol

I would love to have you here. Anytime!

It's hard when someone hunts it the week before you get herr though. They can back today. I heard quads and went to meet them. They left without saying hello!

 

[Daveboone]

Your land looks amazingly like where I hunt and have a camp in northern NY (Tug Hill region). LIkely like mine, I am guessing largely cut over/farmed in the distant past and now regrown.

 

[Joker12]

I had a bit of land in NW Ontario for a few years now. But work prevents me from getting there frequently, but I made it with some friends this fall. I am still learning the area, and it is some gnarly terrain! I don't have a moose tag this year, so naturally, this is the only scat I found:

View attachment 495104

So, anyway, it's deer this year...

There are no large fields. No agriculture close to us. So I have been hunting through the woods. This area was at least a little open:

View attachment 495106

So I hunted up into the wind. I sat on a pond

View attachment 495108

I also sat on an area where the terrain forced a pinch point. I saw lots of trails but no deer poop or fresh browse. That seems weird because the deer population is abundant in this area. It could be I probably sound like a guerrilla in a morris dancer's outfit. But moving through those woods is hard going.

I have identified some areas to set up a tree stand and bait. If I had more time, I would cut trails and set up a food plot. But that is for another time.

Thanks for reading. I hope you folks had a more productive deer season.

That looks to be fantastic grouse country, hope that you are a bird hunter!

 

[93marlin]

@Pheroze,
NW Ontario seems to have more and more weekender people. With increase in folks crowding into southern Ontario, others are trying find less crowded areas.
I've bear hunted several years from a few hours north of Temagami to NW of Chapleau.
Too many people bringing noise and other disruptions to those areas.
You are very fortunate to have moose sign on your land.
How close are you to Manitoba?

 

[Pheroze]

Your land looks amazingly like where I hunt and have a camp in northern NY (Tug Hill region). LIkely like mine, I am guessing largely cut over/farmed in the distant past and now regrown.

Exactly, that is the history.

@Pheroze,
NW Ontario seems to have more and more weekender people. With increase in folks crowding into southern Ontario, others are trying find less crowded areas.
I've bear hunted several years from a few hours north of Temagami to NW of Chapleau.
Too many people bringing noise and other disruptions to those areas.
You are very fortunate to have moose sign on your land.
How close are you to Manitoba?

We are probably 6 hours from Winnipeg. The increase in activity is noticeable. When the twin more highways I think it will just get worse.

Interestingly, met a young fellow who had set up a stand, spreader and camera. He confirmed that he had deer on his camera until about 4 days ago. Then nothing. Same with a buddy of his. We have had a heavy weather system and I am wondering whether this caused the animals to hunker down in deeper timber.

 

[Pheroze]

That looks to be fantastic grouse country, hope that you are a bird hunter!

 

[Joker12]

View attachment 495766

Well done!

 

[Finprof]

Could you provide some information about the location if your camp?? I am familiar with the area. My parents were born in Fort William- now Thunder Bay and I was born in Terrace Bay, which is about 150 miles east on 17. There were more moose than deer where I lived and some good partridge (grouse) hunting.

 

[Pheroze]

Could you provide some information about the location if your camp?? I am familiar with the area. My parents were born in Fort William- now Thunder Bay and I was born in Terrace Bay, which is about 150 miles east on 17. There were more moose than deer where I lived and some good partridge (grouse) hunting.

My camp is only about an hour west of Thunder Bay.