Quebec Rut...
 

Anybody hunting whitetail deer in southern Quebec (Sherbrooke area)? Are you seeing signs of the rut starting yet? I've seen a little bit, but seems to be slow going.

Cheers,

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

hy MUSTAD i shot a 6 pointer the 22 nov. in zone 10 west ,saw no scrapes or rubs ...around the 20 nov things should start up ..it is very slow mouving this year ..i can't complain 2 caribou 1cow moose 1buck 6 point's ....

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Thanks Heinz... unfortunately that's black powder for us in zone 6 (doe only). Fortunately though I'll be on Anticosti Island from the 19 - 22. I also have a license in NH. I think I'll cruise down to northern NH at the end of the month depending on how things go here and on Anticosti.

Cheers,

Dan

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

hello again ..u got the perfect date for hunting white tail's on ANTICOSTIE ISLAND ..u won't see any female ,they are all hideing from the buck's ..i was there 5 times . we always went to RIVIER BELL nice place .10 of my friend's were down there ,they came back the 6 of nov.

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Yeah, I can't wait... I'm a little concerned that we're there right after the full moon, but with the population they have; the fact that man is the only predator for the deer; I can't imagine the full moon will have that much of an effect on their movement...

This is my 2nd trip, both to Ste Marie... I wouldn't mind finding another camp next year though, I heard Renard is a great camp as well.

Cheers,

Dan

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

RENARD i was there in 93 it has to be the worst place on the island ,lot's of swamps ,almost no deer ..[i warned u] try RIVIER BELL ..

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

RIVIER BELL .the pictures tell it all [1] 6pointer+[1] 9 pointer

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Heinz,

I looked on the map and couldn't find Rivier Bell or rivier cloche. Where is it? Is it part of Sepaq or another outfitter?

Cheers,

Dan

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

the outfitter is [CERF-SAU D'ANTICOSTI INC . ] TEL .514-252-5015 fax 514-252-9180 ....there is no e- mail ....he has 2 territories RIVIERE BELL + RIVIERE CHALOUPE ..

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Hey Walter,

Just wanted to let you know I got my buck today... Crazy thing... Shot him about 3:30 pm... He followed two 1.5 year old females out of the woods... I can't imagine they were in heat, but who knows... Big buck 8 point probably weigh out close to 200 lbs... I'll post pics and longer story tomorrow on the deer forum, but just wanted to let you know... Just like you said, very little sign of rut starting, oh well it's a beautiful deer.

Cheers,

Dan

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Good job Dan. Congratulations.:)

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

congradulation MUSTAD ,now ur all ready for ANTICOSTI ..my friends came back sunday from ANTICOSTI ,they all tagged out , but it was not easy,some had to tag doe's to complete their hunt ...

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Yeah, I'm ready... If it is a doe than it's a doe... I think things could change though this week.

Anycase, I'm still on a high from Tuesday afternoon. I got to my sight around 1:15 and decided I would just hang out in the blind for the day. Earlier that day, I told my wife that I was done with my new Sportchief camo hunting suit because the thing was just too damn loud (whoever decided to put velcro on a hunting suit should seriously reconsider careers if you ask me). So, inspired by my thoughts of the Benoit family in Duxbury, VT (I grew up about 10 minutes from their house in Waitsfield), I made the decision to go back to the basics and put on the wool.

At about 3:00, the wind died down and by 3:15 a couple of young does (1.5 years old) came out for a quick bite of clover. As they were eating, I could tell they were intently looking back into the woods which they came out of. I knew there had to be something back in there, so I waited. Indeed about 10 minutes later, a nice 8 point buck sticks his head out of the woods. I immediately hid underneath the window of my portable blind. I had a light wind straight into me from his direction, so I knew there was no way he could smell me. It's tough to say what exactly happened of the next couple of minutes, but I spent it peaking over the edge of the window to see if he was looking in my direction; getting my gun ready; or just trying to calm my breathing down. When he was contently eating some clover, I shouldered my rifle and got him in my scope. He picked his head up and started looking intently into the forest again.

I decided not to wait any longer and put a good lung shot on him. He took the 165 grain 30-06 bullet from 150 yards like what seemed to be a mosquito bite. He didn't even jump, but walked jingerly into some long grass/ lightly wooded area with his tail in the air. After watching this happen, I couldn't believe it. Last year I missed a deer from less than 60 yards, but I was sure that it wouldn't happen this year given the 3-4 days/week I had spent on the range. An empty feeling overcame me from the prospects of a miss. I decided to investigate nonetheless.

About halfway to the sight where he was standing when I shot, I noticed a tail flicker in the grass not far from where I lost sight of the buck. I knew the does scattered off another direction so it couldn't have been them. Again, with the wind in my favor, I slowly closed the gap. It took me another 20 yards before I could clearly see the antlers and I knew it was my buck. I took a deep breath and finished him off with another shot. As I went to see him, his blood trail started about 20 yards from where I shot him, but was clear up to his body.

All in all, it was a great experience and was topped off by a sole drag, clean and load into my truck (note - this is the last time I hunt deer with a bed cover on my truck). Pertinents - 8 points, 227 lbs. Rifle - Tikka T3 Synthetic/Blued 30-06. Bullet - Hornady BTSP 165 grain. Here is a link to some pics...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC00141.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC00137.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC00135.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC00135.jpg

Cheers,

Dan

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Just noticed I posted the same picture twice... here is the fourth I intended to post...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC00144.jpg

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Real nice north country buck Dan. Glad to see you still have your New England roots by the BBall cap. Small word but you mentioned that you grew up in Waitsfield and that is where I learned to deer hunt about 45 years ago. My father had a small camp at the base of the ridge on the right before you get to the town coming from Waterbury. The camp was off old county road. Lots of great memories there.:D

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

CI,

I grew up on Old County Road (at the other end on the right just before you start going down the hill). Where was your camp? Up near the old gravel pit? You wouldn't recognize it now... that little road actually goes all the way up to the Center Fayston road now and is packed with houses. My cousin still lives right next to Kenyons, but life in the valley is not an incling of what it used to be.

I dropped you an email to discuss further, but not sure it went through... I'd love to synch up further.

Cheers

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Dan I got your PM and sent an answer. We were up near the pit and I bet you know the camp. Over the years they got lots of deer and that is where I got my first buck up in an area that we called the old sugar house....Frank

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

that's what i call a nice buck ..good for u [congradulation ]:)

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Thanks a ton heinz...

By the way CI, thanks for the compliment on the hat... I would have worn my Bruins hat, but that doesn't go very far up here in Habs country, and seems to be a losing battle so far this year anyway...

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

I know what you mean about the Habs. I always would go see them play at the Forum (old days) because it was only an hour away as opposed to 4 to beantown. Being a Bruin fan was difficult and I would have to cheer for both teams just to keep the peace. I remember one fan who got pushed down a row up in the white seat area because he was fanatical about the B's in Hab house. When in Rome ...do as the romans do.

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

Just got back from Anticosti island. Great trip just like last year. There were people in our group that took does and even a couple of fawns to fill their tags, but I was able to harvest two nice bucks (7 point and 9 point - both weighing 120 lbs each)... here are pics...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...bin2/Deer1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...bin2/Deer2.jpg

Looking in the guestbook, there were a few groups that shot only does... I just hope this doesn't effect the coming years too much. I don't have a picture, but a buddy who was with us shot a very nice 8 point. I was thinking about putting a couple of days into northern New Hampshire, but at this point my freezer is pretty full. I think it may be time to focus on upland game until the new year.

Cheers

p.s. I have reserved my spot at Anticosti for next year, same week, along with one more spot. If anybody is interested in joining me, drop me an email at [email protected] and I will give you the details. I have to confirm my spot(s) with initial payment by end of next week so contact me soon if you are interested.

RE: Quebec Rut...
 

nice pic of u and the buck ..glad u had a nice trip ..my friend's came back 2 week's ago from anticosti [they had a hard time filling theire tag's ..???they finished shooting females ..we allway's fly out from MONTREAL airport it's a 2 1/2 hr flight with NOLINOR ..