Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting

[got a hunch]

I agree witheveryone about last year. It was tough hunting. By my estamate the animals were 10 days to 2 weeks early. We were fortunate enough to get into a heard on the morning of the third day about 2 miles off theroad going to LaFarge Damalong a small lake. We also rent sleds from Paul.It may sound a little pricy but when you consider possibly dragging animals a couple of miles then it doesn't sound so bad. We pull plastic tub sleds behind the snowmobiles.Paul has always treated us pretty well. Wealso saw something last year that we hadn't seen before, Caribou bedded down in the woods. You could walk to within less than 25 yards.

[spike00]

To drive that far and to get budget conscience over the cost of a snowmobile doesn't seen like good thing, the guys can get together and split the cost of one sled and save a lot of huff and puffing ...... we have helped a lot of guys, by dragging there bou out for them ...All the hunters we meet up there are very nice and social its a great time.
We too have also came up on caribou bedding down it is a very cool site....

[Colorado Bob]

I'm getting excited. We have 11/20 thru 23. Hope I picked the right week. we are planning on the plasric sled metnod to get them out. I'm also going to use my 444 Marlin---just cause I want to use a big bore. I'll have an 06 as backup. This thread has a ton of info.

Going with NCA----I tried to 2 years to get this week with Mirage with no luck----lots of repeat hunters--no opening,

[got a hunch]

You're right about the cost of a snowmobile. Four to six guys can split the cost. We keep in touch with walkie talkies. It has worked fine for us for the last five years. If you want to get into Mirage you need to keep calling. Even if they say there are no openings call at least once a week. The down payment is due the first part of Feb. Some will cancel when it comes time to pay.Current clients have 10 days to confirm for next year. Then I think they offer the openings to people who have already confirmed. They called me about the second week in Feb. andoffered me 12 more spots for 11/30,I only took six. Any more would be making my grouplarger than I was willing to manage. It's only two months away and the guys in my group are getting antsy, especially those who are going for the first time. Wait for the big bulls.

[spike00]

The snowmobiles are the way to go, we also use walkie talkies. it makes it great for covering large areas and the many points on the lake..... We have six guys in our group, most of the guys have been going for at least two or more years ....we take two trucks three guys per vehicle, useCB radios for communications.
I am just wondering how much gas will be this year!$$$$$.

Getting into the Mirage has a lot to do with timing and luck! I think there is a lot of people trying to
securespot and there are onlya few opening.

[big or small kill em all]

Can anyone tell me if it is easy tomanouver a 7x12 foot enclosed trailer up in the hunt area. I am planning on bringing both of my snowmobiles.

[TerryM]

Can anyone tell me if it is easy to manouver a 7x12 foot enclosed trailer up in the hunt area. I am planning on bringing both of my snowmobiles.

Actually the road into there is excellent and well maintained, it has to be because of the immense Hydro installations up there. But realize that its a packed snow base that can ice bad if it rains, make sure you have true ice/snow tires. One thing to consider about snowmobiles though. You won't see groomed trails and you are on early snow with little crust so your snowmobiles better be light with lots of track. A tundra or skandik makes sense but I wouldn't bring up a 700 pound performance machine with a 121" track, could be more hassle than good. We always brought a Tundra and worked perfectly. Also the price of gasoline is brutal up there so bring lots with you, an extra 5 or 6 5 gallon tanks per vehicle will not be too much if you have to drive far to get into the herds. Hell they could be walking through the parking lot of your outfitter ( I have seen that ) but I have also had to travel 300 kms round trip to get into the herds.

[spike00]

Main roads are good ,We took a four place trailer above the dam last year it gottricky, two way traffic on a two track road.... some one has to give, you can't see the shoulder of the road. You don't want to slide off the road up there the snow is deep and getting out can be difficult to say the least....stay to the main road and ride in... you'll be fine.

[Nord QC Bouman]

I recommend renting a sled from the lodge. They are all long tracs and work well in the deep snow. The extra gas and towing issues are not worth it - the sled are only $150 per day with gas and you get a trailer.

The more you sled around though - the more you push them out. They don't like snow machines are if they hear them they tend to move away. Last year the heard was early/split and the stagelers were pushed out far. I was huniting a run just before the LaForge road and an localwent in with a short recurve bow and took 6. He hung them at the house on the Laforge Road corner. I think he made some cash on the hunters who got skunked.

These animals will stay in the woods until they move - you can see all kinds of sign all over hills with good cover an moss to eat. I have had best luck straight up from and in back of the lodge for the 04 DEC hunt.

[spike00]

Is any one going to be staying at the Mirage the week ofNov 27 to about DEC ?