A One Day Moose Hunt on Lac Boucher 1977

It was in late September and my brother-in-law Jean M and I were on another Moose hunting trip. This time we decided to charter a 206 Cessna and go to a different place. A place called Lac or Lake Boucher, 35 miles northeast of Havre St. Pierre. It’s a pretty big lake with a couple of islands on it.

Everything was aboard and on our way. It was a nice sunny and cool day. As we approached the lake JM asked Germain the pilote, if he could at least make one trip around the lake. That he did, I said to JM, that island there would be great. Were not to far from the mainland. JM said yes to the pilote and down we went.

We untied the canoe, unloaded and found the exact place to tent. Someone had camped here before. It was close to noon when we finished. Had a little snack and yes a small snooze at least for an hour.

It was around 2pm and all was quiet not a sound to be heard. JM said I think we’ll start the show now. The weather and all is perfect. I’m ready I said.

JM had his waders on and I had gathered a few dry twigs. I started breaking a couple and JM started his moose walk and then the cow in heat urinating, lifted his feet slowly out of the water and on to shore. I cracked a few more twigs and both listened for about 3 minutes. Not a sound. JM gave the soft and short cow call. Did this the same call about 10 minutes later. Not a sound, I whisered to JM it’s to quiet. He nodded his head in a yes manner. We listened and waited, not a sound.

The little island that we were camped on was approximately 500 feet long by 100 feet wide not more than that and all it had on it was black spruce and a very few birch trees. It was flat with sand and rock beach all around. We were calling toward the mainland about 800 feet away.

The tent from our calling ground was halfway 50 to 60 feet. The trail from us to other side was 4 feet wide. From where we were we could not see the tent.

It was close to 4:30 PM JM had just given the first long call of the cow in heat. I heard the echo hit 3 times, which was good. It still was silent, not a sound.

It was 4:40 PM and I heard something heavy walking in the water on the left side of us towards the mainland. JM also heard it as he looked at me with eyes as big as fifty cent pieces. We did not move an inch. We listened for a good half hour and not a sound, not even a little cracking sound. We didn’t move, we waited.

It was getting pretty chilly as the sun had gone down. I looked at JM and made some sort of movment letting him know that I was going to the tent to put a bit more warm clothes on.

I picked up my 30.06 and started to walk slowly looking at the ground to make sure that I did not step on some twigs. I could see the tent through the bushes and to my great surprise the big bull was about 25 feet on the other side of the tent. What a huge bull and what a rack (63”) Up game the rifle safety off, one knee on the ground and pulled the trigger. It was faceing me and looking me right in the eye when I shot. The bullet struck it on the right side of the chest and came out its back just behind the right shoulder blade. The heart was split it two. All it did was make a half left turn and fell to the ground. I think JM was beside me in a split second. My heart had no time pump fast as everything happened so fast.

JM and I shook hands and tapped each other on the back. We said it’s a trophy and our hunting is already over with. Now we had to work. It took exactly 2 hours and all hind quarters were laid on a rack that we had made.

It was time for a glass of cognac and a good supper with a bottle of red wine. For super, the menu was a few slices of moose liver cooked with bacon and onions. Not to Forget the mashed potatoes and mushrooms. Man was that delicious. We hit the sack that night close to midnight. That was a fast hunting trip. But it was a great one.

The next morning we called the dispatcher to find out if he we get us out in the afternoon. Okay there was no problem. As we got all our equipment and moose meat out on shore. We decided to take a canoe ride to the mainland and see what it looked like. It was pretty windy so we did not want to go to far. As we approached shore JM said don’t move look to your right and yes another bull moose had it’s head out of the bush with his nose up in the air. Trying to smell us. Without
moving we watched him for a good five minutes. He was also a healthy looking moose.

We headed back to the island and waited for our plane. I shall say it again, what a wonderful and short hunting trip that was and I have a lot more to tell you in my next stories.

If any of you outdoor sportswomen and sportsmen are interested in a caribou hunt or salmon, trout fishing trip. I'm your Booking Agent. My services are to guarantee that you have a great and successful trip with anyone of the best outfitters in Northern Quebec or Labrador.

Winter Caribou Hunt 1975

Winter Caribou Hunt 1975

It was a cold morning, it was 8 am. We were boarding a bush plane, Otter and on our way to a caribou hunt. My buddies Andre, Julien and brother-in-law JM. It was the 23 Feb. and a minus -23 outside. We had no choice we had to go this morning; the plane was chartered for today and only bad weather could cancel this trip. We were all well dressed with good warm clothes, snowmobile suits and boots. Each our packsack, lunch and a thermos of coffee for the day. It looked like a beautiful day the sky was blue.

We had been flying for a good 2 hours, no tracks and no caribou insight. Yes I forgot to introduce our pilot Jean Charles, 10 years experience as a bush pilot. I asked him where are we heading? Lake Vital they saw a big herd there yesterday.

A couple of hours more flying and nothing in sight. The pilot looked back at us and said we will have to think on going back. One, the gas is getting low and about 5 hours of day light left. He said, 15 minutes more. I said look caribou tracks. The pilot made a 90 degree to the left and over on the second lake he landed. There was a herd of over 200 heads, they were standing there looking at the plane.

Jean Charles said, first if you guys do this fast we still have time to head back home, if not and it takes to long we will be sleeping in the bush at -30. What do you want to do? Yes that was cold and very cold to sleep outdoors without a sleeping bag. We looked at each other and said we came hunting and that’s what we are going to do. We told the pilot we will do this as fast as we can..

We had landed the Otter a good ¾ mile away. To close would have scared the caribou off. I said 200 caribou; it was more than 500 caribou. Out of the plane and got those snowshoes on so fast and away we went, but not Andre, Andre is not an outdoors sportsmen, he takes his time and is very slow. He yelled, you guys go ahead I will fallow behind with the camera. We said okay, take your time. We were heading for the point of wood about 1000 feet away; we could not see the caribou. I said that they won’t be far from that point. JM and I had to run if we wanted to keep up with Julien, he was 6’4” 200lbs and skinny and those long strides he was taking kept us running.

Once at the point we were all pretty well disappointed, the caribou had advanced a good 1000 feet or more and were just about ready to enter the bush. They were a good 2000 feet from us; I said shoot up high and into the bush just ahead of them. They each had 30.06 rifles and I had my 32spl. They shot; the herd turned around and yes heading right straight for the point and us. That’s happens when you shoot like this, in the bush ahead of them, is the echo they hear in front of them and makes them instinctively turn and head in the opposite direction. The herd was heading straight for the point and for us. I was laying face first in the snow and no moving at all. They were 500 feet away and still coming for us. JM said get ready their 200 feet away. Up we got and let me tell you they were at 150 feet, they all stopped and looked straight at us or in our direction. I aimed the biggest one looking at me and bang, in the neck and down it went. I shot my second one. I yelled stop we are only allowed 8. I counted 1. 5… 7, one missing, but before I finished my phrase, bang, bang two shots and two caribou down. (the pilot had a license and took the extra one)

I heard the pilot starting up the otter engine, taking off and came and landed beside us. He got out and said it’s too late to head back home; we will never make it before dark. You have a choice sleep outside at minus 30 or it will cost you $80.00 more for the charter. There’s a hunting camp 20 miles away, we can stay there for the night. No one argued about that.

We fixed up the caribou, then dug up holes in the snow with are snowshoes, and buried our caribou. This would help keeping the meat fresh and not freezing over night. We brought back with us 3 hearts and 2 livers, this was for supper.

It was starting to get pretty dark and not much time to get to that cottage. I hope that there’s a stove and wood. I was starting to feel the minus 30 it was very cold. I could see the hunting camp as we approached and yes it looked like a big and nice cottage.

We landed and Julien was the fist out and said I’m going to light the stove. The pilot asked if we could help him take out the two batteries. I have to keep them inside the cottage, warm, if not this plane won’t start tomorrow morning. We also covered the nose of the plane with a canvas tarp. Jean Charles said it’s up to -35 and I think that it may be more in a couple of hours.

Julien had the oil stove going and the wood stove. It was so cold inside that linoleum had curved up. We had to be careful not to break it. There was a bottle of Vat 69 0n the table ¾ full and over half of that was frozen solid. You can imagine how powerful the non frozen part was. This was a very nice cottage, 4 bedrooms, living room and big kitchen and washroom. Blankets, pillows and everything, but no food, yes a box of Kellogg’s cornflakes.

JM was the cook and yes caribou heart and liver plus a shot of Vat 69, powerful stuff. The meal (meat) was great, we talked for about an hour and then to bed. Yes we could hear the wind. The pilot Jean Charles’s got up and said I’m going to check the tarp and tie it down more. I asked, do you need a hand? No thanks I’m okay. When he got back he said I don’t want to discourage you guys but were here for a couple of days for sure. There’s a big storm out there.

Let me tell you that it was a storm, you could not even go outside, the wind was so strong. I prayed that we don’t run out of fuel oil because there was no more wood and no more food. We slept 4 nights in that warm cottage and thank god we did not decide to sleep outside.

The third day was nice with that beautiful rising sun; we help the pilot place the batteries back in place. I hope this thing starts this morning, I want home I told myself. We had to cut the ice around the skies as there was slush that had accumulated after the landing. Jean Charles was hoping that we did not chip a piece off the skies. He said: they cost $10K’s a pair. Off we were and back to Havre St. Pierre, back home. Everyone seemed happy to get back home.

This was all in 1975 the way we hunted. Today you don’t hunt like that anymore, unless you have your plane. Today is the American plan in some outfitter camps. Everyone travels buy snowmobile with a guide. All you have to do is shoot it. The rest is all done by the guide. But it’s still pleasant to experience.

I can book you any time in March and April for a good winter caribou hunt. Well it’s a 5 days snowmobile adventures guided by local native, living their culture, includes also, ice fishing big lakers, rabbit snaring, ptarmigan hunting and just relaxing. Cook, snowmobile and guide all included.

Our First Bull Moose on the Romaine River

On the Romaine River once again with J.M. my brother-in-law. It was Friday just before supper time. I was on duty as Chief of Police for the Municipality of Havre St Pierre. When J.M. came knocking at my door. He said I need a partner to come hunting with me on the Romaine River for the week-end. I said that’s impossible for me I have to work all week-end. Did you ask your cousin Michel? He can’t come. Also I said there is a lock-out at the Mine Q.I.T. at midnight. No I can’t go. If I bring you back tomorrow morning, just come in for the night. I’ll ask my constable if he wants to replace me for the night shift.

All was fixed up, it was 5:30 p.m. and we were waiting for J.M's wife to come back with the jeep. 6.0’clock no jeep. I called my buddy, S.Q. police Julien if he could bring us up to the Romaine River. In 10 minutes he was parked in front of my mobile home. We tied the canoe on the jeep, luggage aboard and on our way we were. Half hour later canoe on the river everything aboard and up the Romaine river we went. The weather was great and about half an hour of day light left.
It was a little past 7 p.m. when we arrived to our Island “Iles des Officiers”. Set up camp, got ready for super, it was 8 p.m. The weather was great, not a breeze of wind, it was chilly and to night was the full moon, 17th September 1975.

After our nice tasty supper and as always it was cold roast pork. We decide to take a walk up along the sandy beach of the Island. This took a good hour return. We did not even see a moose track. I said to J.M. that’s good they didn’t come, but will tonight.

J.M. got his big hip waders on and the moose call show began. I cracked a few dry branches, J.M. walked into the water imitating the moose, stopped. We listened for awhile and he gave a soft low call of the cow in heat. Waited and then the imitation of the cow urinating in the water…listened walk out of the water. I cracked a few dry twigs and listened, not a sound could be heard and it was totally quiet.

We stood on the beach for a half hour and J.M. did the soft call just a little loader. We listened for a good hour and then decided to hit the sack. It was close to 10 p.m. I was rolling out my sleeping bag when I heard a grunt noise. I said to J.M. did you hear that, he said what. I said a grunt. I turned out the gas lantern and out the tent we went slowly, not a sound’ we made. We listen a good 20 minutes and then another grunt sound just across the river. My heart started pumping, I could not hear nothing, just the booming in my ears. I touched my heart and I can tell you it was beating at a least 200 per minutes. I bit on my teeth holding them together with a lot of pressure for a couple of minutes my heart beat slowed down. It grunted again, it seemed to be close about a couple of hundred feet from us, in the bush. We could hear the branches cracking and it’s heavy breathing.

It was the full moon and as I said not a breeze of wind and it was very chilly J.M. and I were in our long john’s. We took each our turn to go back to the tent and got dressed. Every move I made I could hear I was making a noise. I picked up my sleeping bag and decided that we were spending the night outside on the beach.

A good hour had passed and not a sound. Not even a crack J.M. gave the soft cow call. Not an answer. Tried it again, not a sound. It was close to midnight and we then heard a sound of outboard motor coming up the river. It passed us and head up about a mile higher when it stopped. Some hunters that probably were working the evening shift.

It was 02 am. When J.M. called again, he said I guess it’s gone. I said I’ll give it my bull call, J.M. said yes do it. I think, I only had half of the call out, when it answered load and close just across the river 100 ft. from us. Man oh man my heart beat started again an twice as load. I could see the moose, just a 100 feet away, it was the full moon, not like day light but pretty close. J.M. passed me his rifle to have a look at it in the telescope. There was a blue line all around the moose. It had its head up and was trying to smell us. We did not move an inch. It walked into the water up to its belly, always had its nose straight up. It was 75 feet away from straight us. It stood there for a good hour. Then suddenly it turned and started running out of the water and into the bush, what a noise it was making, breaking every tree in it’s path, all we could hear was the cracking sound and the grunting. It then started running up the river. This was around 03 am. J.M. gave the cow in heat call, it still was running. I said it's going to cross on to the Island. J.M. said, give the bull call. I did and it stopped, we could not hear it anymore. I gave another bull call, it answered and was coming back breaking everything on its way. It stopped in front of us, about 20 feet in the bush. We waited and waited. This is when we heard for the first time ever, the sound of a horse, the exact sound of a horse when he blow’s and his lips hit together. It stopped and not a sound, but we knew it was there.

It was close to 06 am. and daybreak had started, we could see the other side of the river 100 feet away, no more than that. JM said give it your best bull call, which I did without hesitating and out of the bush it came and into the water. It was big, it was huge, it crossed about half of the river, 50 feet from us. J.M. had it in his sight (telescope) he shot, the moose buckled up and fell. It was floating in three feet of the water. We tied it behind the canoe and crossed to other side. It was floating pretty well. J.M. said we will bring it back to the dock, three miles down river. It took an hour with the 6 horse power motor. We pulled it onto the dock and I gutted it.
J.M. hitched hiked back to town to pick-up his jeep. Came back with the family and a few friends. We picked up the moose all in one piece and installed it on the trailer.. It was a huge bull.

I can say that we weighed every piece with the bones, the hind and front quarters, the spine with sirloin and back straps, the neck, all that together weighed 620 lbs. Total overall weight was good 1000 lbs. After receiving the results from its teeth extraction, that bull was healthy for its age, which was 14 ½ years old. The rack was 5 big horns on each side.

The caribou season for the outfitters just ended here in Northern Quebec. Canada. The hunt on the beautiful George River was a 100% success rate. In March to the end of April 2009 is the great Snowmobile Adventures. A 150 milles round trip for groups of 12 real interested snowmobilers. A 8 day trip with 5 days at the lodge, hunting ptarmigans, snaring rabitts, ice fishing big lake trout and even the possibility of winter caribou hunt. All guided by natives and live their culture.

If interested contact Fred by e-mail at wedgehills@yahoo.com

My 9th. Moose Hunting Trip on the Romaine River

My 9TH. Moose Hunting Trip on the Romaine River Quebec.

I’ll skip my 6th, 7th and 8th. Moose hunting trips as they are pretty similar to the other ones. Yes close calls but did not manage to bag one. But we gained more experience and that for a hunter is worth more than gold.

It was around the middle of September 1974 my brother in law JM and I decided that we were going in by plane and on the Romaine River once again. We had picked a spot just above the Big Falls. Not to far from our village Havre St. Pierre. about 20 miles away.

That morning the weather was not at it’s best for flying and we were not the first on the list to take off. We had chartered a Beaver bush plane on floats. We had a lot of baggage and our chestnut canoe. We crossed our fingers hoping not to have to take a bigger plane like an Otter. Big difference in the price.

The morning had gone by and we were still waiting. Also part of the afternoon had gone by and it was 4PM and no sign of the Beaver. No choice we had to wait.

At 4:30 PM the dispatcher said, we will take you in with the Otter because the Beaver is going to be in to late and this for the same price as the Beaver. We had no comments and that was okay with us. Baggage aboard and the canoe tied on the float and away we were.

Bad weather seemed to be coming in from the north and it was getting late for the pilot to get back. We decided to get off before destination and that a good 8 miles before. Unloaded the plane and away it went and the pilot was glad because he was not interested in sleeping in the bush if he didn’t have to.

Filled up the canoe and installed the 6hp and up the river we went. We were looking for the best place to set camp. The rain had started slowly and fog was starting to set in. We pulled out our rain suits from our packs and put them on. Their were a lot of places we could camp because on both sides of this beautiful Romaine River on the North Shore of Quebec are sandy beaches. The river is about 300 feet at the largest. Yes we both were straining our eyes to find moose tracks. We saw a few old ones, nothing fresh.

After travelling for a good hour and a half I said, JM this would be a good place just beside a nice little creek coming out from the north. He said yes we can camp just on that little lump a bit up in the bush and that is what we did.

After getting everything done, tent up, sleeping bags installed and ready for supper. It was already 8PM I was pumping up the naphtha lantern when we heard the howling call of a wolf and not to far. We stepped out the tent and paid more attention and then another call on the opposite side across the river. I said to JM at least 2 wolves and an other wolf started calling not to far up the river, maybe a couple of thousand feet. They answered themselves for about ten minutes and stopped. We went in, lit the lantern and stove and had a good supper, beef Bourgogne that my wife had put in jars for us. All we had to do was warm it up and with that a good bottle of red wine from Italy. What a snack we had, did not even think about the wolves, until the lonely howling sound was maybe 100 feet from the tent and on the other side about the same distance an other want howling.

It was close to 10PM and we decided to hit the sack. I always and still do today when I go hunting big game is carry along my 12 gauge pump gun and a couple of boxes of SSG (12 leaded pellets per shell) Well that shotgun when things are like tonight and are pretty close to us, that shotgun is loaded and it sleeps in-between JM and me.

The wolves howled and walked around close to our tent for about half an hour. They came and checked and smelt what was going on and left. Then the rain started coming down and pretty heavy and this for me makes me fall asleep in a few minutes and I guess that’s what happened as I woke up the next morning and must have slept like a log. I did not hear a thing.

It was 5:30AM got up, dressed and out the tent with my 32spl. That I just bought one month ago. Practised with it a couple of times. It was good rifle, a Winchester model 94. The weather was a little better, a drizzle coming down and fog on the river. I decided to walk up the river, no calling, why, because of the wolves around. I told myself with all those wolves around their no moose around and that for sure. I saw lots of wolf and bear tracks and they were fresh ones. But then the fresh female cow tracks and not to old. I looked up the river and then across the river. All I could see was four polls stuck in the sand on the other side of the river. I kept both eyes on those polls, it was hard to see or focus because of the fog and drizzle. These polls, four of them were about 700 feet away. I kept focusing them and why four polls, then the fog lifted up and the four polls was a moose. She was looking straight my way, not side ways. I can’t run back and get JM if I shoot and miss because of the distance, about 700 feet for my rifle was far. But behind the moose was a cliff not to high a good 10 feet. I decided to shoot, I had no telescope, so adjusted my sight to 450ft. max. Pointed the rifle aimed and fired. I saw my bullet hit the water about 100 ft. in front. I cranked the Winchester aimed higher and squeezed the trigger and must have touched it as it moved a few feet up the river. I shot again and another time, I could hear
JM running with his hip waders on, but not tied up to the hips. He came up to me and said where, what is it? I said over there on the other side, a cow moose and he said okay I see it but it’s looking straight at us. I’ll wait until it turns sideways. JM had a 308 Savage with scope. It had turned sideways and JM was aiming if JM could have put his whole eye into the telescope he would have done it. He pulled the trigger and I saw the moose just bend over and did not move for a few seconds and then jumped into the river and was swimming for us. JM waited with the rifle pointed at the cow waiting for it to get out of the water on to dry land. There was a sand bar about half in-between the two banks and that is where the cow put his two front legs. Then bang and it fell there with out moving. I ran down and got the canoe and up to pick JM and to the sand bar we went. Hopped out of the canoe and ran for the moose. We were both speeded, this was our first moose and it took 9 years to get it. I think that we both had tears in our eyes and a hand shake every two minutes.

It took a good fifteen minutes to get back to normal. Started the job of pulling it out of the water, it sure was a huge cow and in good health. It was maybe 3and a half or 4 and a half years old. Emptied it and started to cut it into quarters, when JM said to me in a low whisper “where is your rifle” I said beside the canoe. He says look on the other side of the river, slowly turn around. That what I did and they were there the pack of wolves 15 of them and mostly adult wolves. The leader was sitting on his behind and probably have been looking at us for some time. They were exactly where we were shooting from. On the rifles we jumped and manage to shoot two big ones.

We finished our job with the moose and transported it to the tent. Went back and got the two wolves and they were big male timber wolves. Skinned them and brought the hides back to the tent. I looked at my watch and asked JM what time is it? He said holy cow it’s 2PM. I guess I’m hungry, we did not have breakfast. But what a morning it was. We left everything as is and the bacon the beans and eggs were cooking in the frying pan and don’t forget the coffee was purking and all this smelt so good. But before we started eating we had good size shot of cognac.

We had planned to be in for 8 days we had 7 days left. We decide to at least stay for 5 days just to let our moose meat age a bit. So we hunted partridges and started setting rabbit snares. Yes we got a lot of both and also saw a nice bull moose that came out on our call. I say our call because JM does the female and I do the bull call. Yes we could have shot it a couple of times it was close enough about 300ft. JM had it in his scope for a good minute.

We had built a rack or stand about 5ft off the ground and our third night a black bear had stolen our nice moose head trophy, we did not hear a sound but the next morning it was gone. The big bear tracks were there. Our tent was to far away and decided to move the tent closer 3ft. from the rack and leave an oil lamp lit on the meat during the night. But guess what, it came back again but this time I heard it going by the tent. I can say that I saw it’s shadow through the tent.
I told JM he’s there, I had the power flashlight in my hand and JM grabbed his 308 and out I went. Turned the light on and to our surprise he was 3ft. from me on my right. He stood up on his hind legs and was walking towards me, his front legs in the air and yellow nose mouth open and growling. I heard bang and the bear dropped to his fours and was gasping for air. It took off for the bush. We decided not to go look for him as he was injured and could jump us. This
Was around 8:30PM and yes very dark out.

The next morning around 7AM JM was up and out of the tent before me. About five minutes later gave me a little shout “come and see” about 500ft. in the trail we use since we have been there, the bear was sitting on it’s rear end and dead. Was it waiting for us? We tried to save the bear hide but a little to late.

We moved out on he sixth day with an otter because of the cow, weighed a good 600lbs. This was an excellent experience and trip that moose hunters never forget. How many times have I told my children, my friends, my grandchildren and now all you people. Bye for now, until the next story.

Good hunting and be careful all you women and men hunters.

My Fifth Moose Hunting Trip on the Romaine River

Before I tell you about the Moose Trip, I’m still in Kawawachickamack Quebec working as a police officer. This native village is 13km north of Schefferville. It’s also caribou country. The migration has started about two weeks ago, the George River herd has left George River heading south and the Leaf River herd is heading back to Leaf River. Why? They say to many mosquitoes and horse flies, some say to much rain the lakes and rivers are too high, flooded. Some say to much air traffic, helicopters, bush planes and a lot of prospectors in the bush. It might be one of these reasons that are making them move a month ahead of time. The caribou hunt with the outfitters opened on the 1st. of August and there is still places available for this year’s hunt. If interested just e-mail me at fredasonier@hotmail.com The caribou hunt ends the 2nd. October.

This trip was with another one of my brothers-in-law JY it was late in the fall, the middle of October and the last week-end for the moose hunt. I decided that we would go as far as we could up the Romaine River without giving us to much of a hard time. We left early Saturday morning
At 5 AM. It was a nice day and pretty chilly. At 6 AM we were heading up the river with a 20 ft. canoe and the 6 hp. evinrude. We saw a few ducks and quite a few honkers, the great Canadian Goose.

Our first portage was Chute de L’Eglise a half an hour and we were on or way. The second portage Chute a Charlie’s a good hour and our way up the rapids called Les Rapide a Ferdilon . We continued close to shore looking for fresh moose tracks. Stopped a couple of times and only saw old moose tracks. This for my brother-in-law JY and I was new to us I had not been this far up the river.

We saw a nice little island ahead about 150ft. in diameter and said this is where we shall camp. In front of us on the north side was a nice little creek and that is where I will direct my call.

After getting all set up we had a good lunch, I said to JY (this is his first experience out moose hunting or just hunting) we shall be very quite, talking at a whisper and soft quiet movements and always listening for any sound, he said, no problem with that.

It was close to 3 PM. and not a sound to be heard for the last hour, yes there was the sound of the little creek flowing in front of us. I slowly and quietly put on my hip waders and walk to the shore line. Picked up a few dry twigs and started breaking them, stopped and listened, slowly got into the water lifting my leg as high as I could and doing the moose walk, and looking towards JY. stopped listened, lifted my moose call just above my shoulder filled with water and slowly pouring it back into the river, the female moose urinating, I stopped and listened and looked at JY ( he looked like he wanted to burst out laughing) I lifted my legs up high out of the water and back to shore, cracked a few dry twigs and listened for a few minutes, I looked at JY and with a shake of his head nothing. I took a few more minutes and listened. I walked close to the shore line, bent down, covered my mouth with my hands like a cone shape and gave that short and soft female in heat mosquito sound. I gave it a second time and listened.

I walked up to JY and said did you hear anything he said no, but that show you just put on,( if I were a bull moose I would come out right away ).

We listened for a good 30 minutes and not a sound our answer. I went back to the side of the river and gave the next call the same one but a little longer and louder, doing this twice. Waited and listened, cracked a couple of twigs and not a sound in return. I told JY not even a bird to be
heard. There must be something around, I said I will only be giving the soft and short call up until dark. It was close to 5 PM. And I decided to give the two short and soft calls, which I did. We listened until it was to dark to shoot. Went to the side of the river and gave two long and little loader calls.

It was 7:30 PM and time for a good supper. Nothing that we would cook, but at least make good cup of tea. My wife Mado had packed us a good lunch, a pork roast and ham. That is what we ate a little of for supper and that good cup of tea.

It was time to hit the sack, when I decided to give the big long and loud call. I said to myself not a sound to be heard, that means he is not close enough to hear my call. We are here for two more nights, why not put all the chances on my side. I told JY listen very closely and let me know how many echoes you hear after my call. Down to the river I went and started the long and loud calls, this I did 4 times one in every direction. JY said I heard two echoes at three places and on the north side I heard 4. I said good this should bring an interested bull or cow down. It was close to 10 PM. and we hit the sack.

The next morning I was out beside the river, nice and early, I could see the stars and even the northern lights it was 3:45 AM. I sat in the folding chair and just listened for a good hour. I heard a pike splash close to shore; I could here the birds chirping away. But know cracking sound or moose around. I waited and just listened, JY was still sleeping.

It was just passed 5 AM. And time to start the cow in heat imitation. Did all the same process as yesterday, then the soft and short call a couple of times. Then just listened, I had told JY not to move and just listen. A good 30 minutes later did the little louder and longer call. Waited, did another call, louder and longer, and that was it until I get an answer I told myself.

It was exactly 11:10 AM and I remember that time, we heard a call like an owl call, but just once, not one long and two short like the owl. I said to JY that is a moose answering but it’s far, we have to be very quiet. There was no wind, it was calm. We waited a couple of hours and not a sound.

I started the same imitation cracking twigs, but always listening a little longer, the walk in the water, back out and the soft and short call. Not an answer. JY said to me maybe he did not hear your call, I said I’m sure he heard it or she heard it, maybe because the bull and the female are together and if that’s the case it’s going to be longer for the bull to come out. The female that’s with him will do everything to keep her bull.

That is exactly what happened, that day, night and the next morning not an answer. It was noon and it was time to head back. JY thanked me and said that he enjoyed his week-end.

Maybe my next little story will be the one with success, until then.

Seal Hunting on the Gulf of the Saint Lawerence

Hello everyone, I’m still in Kawawachicamack near Schefferville, Northern Quebec. I just wanted to tell you about our fishing trip. My wife and I drove 11 km. on the old mine road to a small lake called Elizabeth Lake. We casted from shore. Too make this story short we caught 6 nice lake trout in an hour. Not big ones but good eating size from 2 to 3 pounders. We cooked up a couple for supper, they were excellent.

It was the month of July 1968 my brother-in-law JM and I decided to go out hunting seals, the Ranger seal. Why, there was a bounty on the seals, $10. for the young seal and $50. for the adult, all that you gave the Fisheries Department was the bottom jaw to get your check. Also they are great to eat. The meat is a black or dark colour but tender and excellent in your plate. The reason that they had a bounty on them in those days and not today, is that the government decided that there was to many seals and they were killing too many lobsters, crabs, sea trout and salmon.

We left Havre St. Pierre very early that morning, the weather was great, not a breeze of wind. We could see Anticosti Island 23 miles away. The island looked like it was floating it was so calm. We were travelling with a 18 foot home made speed boat with a 18 horse power Evinrude. We saw a couple of whales a lot of dolphins and a few big seals, not close enough for us to shoot. We had been travelling out at large for a good hour and then decided to go closerin shore to check the bays out.

The first big bay called Saint Lawerence Bay was the one that we entered, the tide was at it’s highest and we were close in and barley moving with the boat. JM said look in front there must have been 500 seals, big ones and small ones. They were jumping over each other because they were in shallow water. Probably having a fiest on the crabs. JM gave me the boat to drive while he got in front with the 12 gauge shot gun. I even saw a young seal pass under the boat and we were in about 6 to 10 feet of water.

All we had to do is find one and follow it and not give it time to stick his head out to breathe to long. I did just that, I could even see the “V” line just in front of it’s head as it was still under water. I was following it at about 30 feet away and all that JM was waiting for is for it to stick it’s nose out of the water. Then bang and all I saw was red I could not even see the seal. We got the long rod out with a hook at the end and hooked the seal with it to drag him aboard. This was a young seal but weighed a good 200 pounds.

JM killed 6 in a row and then it was my turn and I killed my six also. We went shore for a good cup of hot tea and a sandwich. I checked the boat out and said to JM. we have a pretty heavy load, but the weather still nice and we didn’t see any problems making it back home.

That summer we did a good 10 trips and were lucky each time, we made a bit of money to pay at least for the gas. Those hunting trips we did and pleasure we had was worth alot more than money.

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My fourth moose hunting trip on the Romain River Qc.

Before I get into the hunting trip I would like to talk about our trip back to Schefferville my wife Madeleine and I. Yes I’m back with the Naskapi Police Force for a 3 month contract. The pay is good and the fishing season is just on its way and if you read my stories before, like they say here, Schefferville is the Capital or Paradise for the fishermen, women. When we talk about lakers 30lbs our more is not rare. Big landlocked salmon, nice 5 to 6 lbs speckle trout, big pike and corrigan’s “white fish”. On my way down we saw a healthy cow moose and two little calves. The calves could not have been more than a week old, they were small.

It was in September 1969 all the practising had been going on for the last month. My brother in law JM and I said this is the year we get our big bull. It was around the middle of September, the 18 foot Rupert’s House canoe was loaded and the 6 HP Evinrude was running and up the river we went. Yes it was the same Island, Officer’s Island. We managed to leave earlier it was about 3PM. As we approached the island I noticed tracks, moose tracks, the bull and the cow. As we got closer we noticed that they were very fresh. The cow track returned to the river and the bull track into the bush. We looked at each other thinking what will be our the plan to get this big bull.

There was another Island just a little lower about a couple of thousand feet. I told JM I’ll let myself drift to the Island before you do your walking in the water moose imitation. He said okay, I’ll wait until you’re all installed before I do my calling.

Once on the other island and ready I waved an okay to JM. He already had his hip waders on; I noticed that he was breaking small twigs by his movements. He listened for a few seconds and then headed slowly into the water. I could hear clearly the sound of a moose walking in the water, good and loud. Then I heard clear, yes very clear the grunt sound of the bull, just beside him in the bush. JM did not hear a thing by his reaction he continued the walking process got out of the water, broke a few twigs, waited a few seconds and gave the soft short call of the cow in heat.

I heard nothing, no answer after that first grunt and it was a loud one. About 20 minutes later JM gave the same call a little louder this time, I could hear the echo hitting the mountains in the back. The call was excellent, but no answer. Where is that bull? Was he still beside JM? Maybe he’s only a hundred feet away. I knew by JM’s reactions that he heard nothing.

Dark was starting to set in and JM was walking around, looked like he was checking the moose tracks. I hopped into the canoe and started paddlingback. Going up the river was hard work. I did not want to start the motor; we have to put all the chances on our side. When I arrived on shore JM came up to me asked not to loud. Did you hear something? I said you, no he replied, I said yes, just after your second or third step on the moose walk in the waterimitation, the bull gave a loud grunt, just one and I heard it loud and clear. JM said no, I did not hear a sound not even a branch or twig crack. He said are you sure you heard the grunt sound and I said yes and it was just beside you in the bush.

We discussed for a couple of minutes and came to the conclusion to camp just a little farther up on the same island and that we did. It was close to 10 PM when tent, sleeping bags, every thing set up for a light lunch, as usual peanut butter and jam sandwiches with a good hot cup of tea and the sack we hit. We did not give a call, only tomorrow morning before sunrise would be best for our chance to get that moose interested again. He smelled us and perhaps was far from us now.

The next morning at 5 AM we were out beside the river and listening. Not a sound, it was very quiet and it was pitch black out there. I managed to find a few dry twigs. It was time for the moose call, I broke a few twigs, JM walked into the water, did his moose walk, and moose urinating, and back out onto shore, I broke a few twigs and listened. The whole imitation was perfect. What I do while all this is going on is just close my eyes and listen. It’s exactly the same sounds.After a couple of minutes not a sound, JM gave his soft and short call of the cow in heat. Not a sound or answer. Twenty minutes later the cow call and a little louder. Half an hour later the same call, nothing in sight or not a sound to be heard.

We stayed quiet for the rest of the morning until 3 PM, When we started giving a few soft calls, not to loud about every 45 minutes. Not an answer, not a sound, It was even quiet on the river, no one travelling. That night are 9 PM just before going to bed, I gave the loud and long call and this I did 3 times. You could here the echo hitting three to four mountains away. Maybe tomorrow morning we said.

But no not the next morning and three more mornings gone by not an answer or a moose in sight. It was time to pack up and head home and that we did.Until the next moose hunting trip we told ourselves. We ran here and there during the hunting season, no luck at all.

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Fred's third moose hunting trip on the Romaine River

It was around the end of September 1968 and I guess my brother-in-law JM and I were still in the process of learning and experiencing. It was Friday and around supper time and we were on our way up the river to Iles des Officier or Officers Island. The canoe was pretty well loaded with our hunting and camping gear. We were out for 3 days and only going back tuesday morning if we did not kill anything big before.

The weather was nice and the weather forecast for the week-end was good, no storm.

It was 6:30 PM and everything was setup, we just sat down to have a light lunch, when I heard a cracking sound at the back of the tent, it was loud, like a big tree branch that snapped. We were both out of the tent in a flash and both rifles were ready. I when back into the tent and turned the naphtha stove off, back outside and listened, not a sound. We discussed to see if we should call right away, we decided with all that we’ve been reading, that it was better to wait for a good hour. That we did and heard not a sound, also the dark, night was setting in. We waited an other hour and decided not to call at all, if it was a moose it would probably scare him off or might come and try to smell us during the night. We finished our lunch with a good cup of hot tea, went and listened again, not a sound. It was time to hit the sack, which we did.

Next morning very very early, no breakfast, we were both outside beside the river. We listened for a good 15 minutes, not a sound. I started breaking little dry twigs about 5 to 6 twigs, listened, nothing, JM started walking into the water lifting his legs high step after step doing the sound of a moose walking in the water Filled the birch bark call with water and lifted it up over his head and started pouring it back into the water, like a cow moose urinating, making all the same sounds. Walked slowly back out of the water, I cracked a few more dry twigs. We listened and not a whisper, no sound. About 4 minutes, it was the time for the cow in heat call, nice and soft, JM really had this one. He let it go once and few seconds latter he let the second call go. We listened and nothing not a crack, not even a bird call, it was dead quiet. Half an hour later, JM gave the second call and a little louder. We listened again and again and not a sound.

I went into the tent and had a good cup of tea and a peanut butter sandwich, no toast or frying something. When I finished my sandwich, I went out and JMCame in to have breakfast, he said not a sound, if that was a moose last night that made the cracking noise, well I guess he far from us now. I went and listened for a good hour, then I heard this snoring noise, yes JM was sound a sleep in the tent.

I little wind from the west had started, but it was very nice no bad weather in sight. It was around 11 AM and I was sipping away on my cup of tea, when I heard soft sound, like a long and pulled out sound, like a mosquito flying close to my ears. I listened and nothing else. JM started to move around in the tent, I went and asked if heard the sound, He said what sound, so I explained it to him. He said it has to be the cow moose. He said look and get down, don’t move,I didn’t know what to do, but I turned and looked. Two moose on the right side of the river about half a mile from us and coming for us. I could not hear a thing all I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears. We jumped for the rifles and started crawling for the little bushes to hide. Then and I say it again then, a boat two guys aboard were coming up the river, oh no I said to myself, not now.

The moose, a big bull and a cow headed straight for the bush, the boat turned straight for them. The boat pulled a shore exactly where the two moose headed for the bush. We heard one shot two shots all up to 14 shots and then we heard the two guys yelling with joy.

We looked at each other and said yep, I guess they were not for us. We pulled the tent down packed our stuff, loaded the boat and headed for home.We stopped to have a look at he moose and to see if they got both and to find out who they were. The moose were both shot, the bull was big and had 16 points a very nice and equal rack. The cow was a far size and looked healthy. The two guys were the Cormier brothers who hunt like us on the river.
So we said to our selves going back home “ that’s part of a hunting trip “ maybe the next time.

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Until the next story. Fred

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Caribou hunting and fishing trips in Northern Quebec

Caribou and Fishing Trip in Northern Quebec

Caribou hunting or salmon fishing trip up on that beautiful George River in Northern Quebec Canada. I think that every hunter or fishermen (women)have to take a trip like this once in a life time.

This river is situated at 175 miles north east of the paradise town of Schefferville known for it’s fishing and hunting. The fishing is atlantic salmon, artic char, lake and speckle trout and nice size fish. The fishing season begins the 15 th. June and ends the 30th. September.

The caribou hunts opens on the 8th. August and ends with the trophy hunt the 2 nd. October. Let me tell you that the George River herd is 750 thousandheads. They start moving south migration around the middle of August and all through the month of September. You will see herds of 30 to 10000 caribou heading south and its something to watch, the bigger racks are in front leading the herd.

Last year I was 6 weeks on the river at the Wedge Hills Lodge as a guide and handy man. I had plenty of time to enjoy my favourite sports, hunting and fishing.I caught two salmon 12 and 16 lbs. and played catch and release with lake and speckle trout, how many I do not remember, but a lot.

Caribou, if I did not see 100 thousand I did not see one. I shot a nice size bull with a nice and even rack, it was a trophy. I also bagged a young bull around 20 to 25lbs. less meat than the big bull. But let me tell you the tenderness and taste of the young bull, you can not compare it with the trophy bull. These caribou were shot at the end of September and the big bulls then are getting close to the rut and the meat has a strong taste. This is why I preferred the young bull.

There is always something new to see. Like one evening I was relaxing in the owner’s camp, when I noticed an artic wolf out in front. It was sniffing the ground, it layed down and started rolling and stretching itself. It reminded me of Blacky when I use to untie him to let him run around. This wolf was healthy, big and looked in great shape, yes this was his territory. I watched this beautiful creature for a good 20 minutes and never thought about my camera. I saw the same thing with a black bear and her two cubs and that was something to see also. The cubs had a lot of fun but the mother had her eyes on me all the time.

Like I mentioned you have to do this at least once in a life time.

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My Second Moose Hunting Trip on the Romaine River

It was Friday after supper J.M. and I just left Havre St. Pierre, we were on our way to the Romaine River. It was 6 P.M. when we put the canoe and luggage aboard, we were heading for Officers Island a 30 minute trip with the 6 H.P. and 16 foot cedar canoe. It was 7 P.M. the tent was set up and all we had to do for the next half hour was to be quiet and listen. We heard nothing, J.M. got his hip waders on and head to the river. He stop and listen, nothing. I started breaking small twigs and J.M. stepped into the water and started the moose walk lifting his legs higher and making the same sound as a moose walking in the water. He stopped and listened, then took his birch bark moose call and dipped it into the water to fill it up. He lifted up over his head and slowly poured the water out making the sound of a cow moose peeing in the water. All this is to stimulate the bull if he’s around. He then stepped out of the water and we listened for about 20 minutes. We heard nothing; J.M. went back to the side of the river and very softly started the cow call, soft and short. Did the same call twice. We sat beside the tent and listened, we did not even say word not even a whisper, we just listened. A half hour later went back to the river and did the same call but a little louder and twice again.

It was around 9 P.M. and we did not even hear a sound, I went down to the river and gave the great and loud call in three directions, it was loud and clear and we could hear the echo bouncing off three and four mountains away. We listened for about an hour, we heard nothing and decided to go to bed.

It was pretty cold that night and when we got up the next morning there was frost on the ground. It was 5 A.M. and J.M. was doing the moose walk in the water. He got out of the water and we listened for a couple of minutes and still nothing. He started his soft and short call and as he just finished I heard a grunt sound and just across the river, I said to J.M. did you here it, he said what, the grunt sound just on the other side, he said no, but his eye’s looked like fifty cent pieces. Are you sure, he said to me, I said yes, just like on the record, the sound that I practice. We waited about 20 to 25 minutes and J.M. got his hip waders on, I started breaking sticks and into the water J.M. went and started the moose walk at the third or fourth splash it grunted again and this time he heard it. This time it was straight in front of us on the other side of the river but we could not see anything. To the other side of the river is about a half a mile.

We waited for an hour and not a sound, yes there was a sound a boat was coming up the river oh no we said. We had nothing to do but wait, we waited all morning because not only one boat went but five in all.

We had a breakfast and diner at the same time, boiled eggs and buttered bread and orange juice. Nothing fried, anything smelly for that moose, you put all the chance you can on your side when your out on the call.

It was 3 P.M. and it had been quiet for about the last two hours so it was time to do our show, J.M. doing the moose walk and me breaking twigs. We listened for about 30 to 40 minutes and not a sound. We repeated the same thing with the soft call and not a sound. It was 8 P.M. and not a sound, I went to the side of the river and gave those 3 great load and long calls. At 9 P.M. we were in the tent for supper and at 10 P.M. in bed. We heard nothing during the whole night.

Next morning at 5 A.M. J.M. did his thing, the moose walk in the water and then the soft and short call and not a sound to be heard. We did this three times during the morning and heard nothing. It was 3P.M. and did the same things and not an answer. At 6:30 P.M. we were on our back without a moose again. But let me tell you that we were very happy with what we experienced and heard the real call of a bull moose. Maybe the next time we will get the big bull.

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My first moose hunting trip.

It was a cold morning, around the end of September, my brother-in-law J.M. and I were on our first moose hunt on the Romaine River. We had been practising the moose call, female and male call since the middle of July. We had bought a book and disc to learn how to imitate exactly the moose call. J.M. was great with the female call and I with the bull call.

It was 6 A.M. and up the river we went, we planned 7 days hunting trip. The weather was beautiful not a breeze of wind and the river was like a piece of glass. We arrived at the first portage an hour later, called La Chute de l'Eglise, it took half an hour and we continued to the next portage, La Chute a Charlie, it took another half hour to portage.

We arrived at the place we had pointed out on the map, a creek and a small island where we could pitch up the tent. The distance for shooting was more than perfect. J.M. had a 308 rifle and I only had a 32 special, the distance was good for me. After every thing was set up, even our little table and bedding was all laid out. It was around noon and it was time for lunch. It still was very calm and we could hear a little water falls a bit farther up the river.

All we had to do now was wait and listen. It was 3 o’clock and J.M. said I guess it’s time to put to work what we have been studying for the past 2 months. It was time to start the moose show I called it.

J.M. had his wader’s on and walk slowly to the edge of the river, stopped and listened, then stepped in the water and started walking like a moose lifting his feet higher with every step he took. Making the exact sound of a moose walking in the water. Once in awhile would stop and listen and then slowly stepped out of the water and I started breaking little twigs. Making the sound of a moose walking slowly back into the brushes. Waited for a few minutes, we could not hear a sound it was calm. J.M. had his birch bark home made call in his hand. He started the call of the female in heat, the very soft and not to long call. Waited about 30 seconds and made the exact same call. We listened for 20 minutes and not a sound. J.M. went back to the side of the river and started the same call but a little louder doing this twice. We waited for about an hour and a half, it was close to 6 P.M. not a sound, not even a crack. It was now 7 P.M. and we heard nothing and was pretty dark, I could not see the other side of the river. We had no telescopes then. We still waited until around 7:30 J.M. walked slowly back to the side of the river listened and gave the long and loud call of the female. I could hear the echo for hitting at least three mountains away. He did it the second time and we continued to listen but heard nothing.

We stepped into the tent made our supper, nothing much peanut butter and jam toasted sandwich and a cup of tea. Got into our sleeping bags, it was cold. We listened for about an hour and all I could hear was the singing of the birds.

Then next morning was little windy and looked like rain. It was 5 A.M. and J.M. was doing the moose walk in the water, got out listened and then gave the call soft and short. Did it the second time and we listened for about half an hour and then did the second call and a little louder. We heard nothing.

We went in for breakfast all was very quiet and slowly the rain started and we could see the fog coming up the river. This went on for part of the afternoon. Then around 5P.M. it started to pour and during the night the storm started.

To make this story short the storm lasted for three days and let me tell you we were soaked and decided to pull out on day 5.

We loved the trip and I will tell more stories about our moose hunting in the weeks to come.

Canoe Expedition on the George River

Canoe Expedition on the George River

Discover the magnificent George River in Northern Quebec, which is popular for its caribou hunt as I mentioned before, the George River caribou herd is over 750 thousand heads.

The George River is also known for its Atlantic salmon, sizes range from the grill which is 4 to 5 lbs. The average size catch is 12 to 15 lbs and go up to 30 lbs. You also have the Artic Char average size 5 to 8 lbs. but can go up to 20 lbs. Then the Lakers or Lake Trout if you prefer, on the average size is 5 to 10 lbs. but may go up to 40 lbs. Then the beautiful brookies or Speckle Trout average are 2 to 4 lbs and up to 6 lbs. All this great fishing from the 20 th. June to the 30 th. September.

I shall get back to my mane subject which is the canoe expedition. This takes place from the Wedge Hills Lodge from the 15 July and ends onthe opening of the caribou hunt the 4 of August 08. It’s a 4 days and 3 nights on a 354 km canoe trip guided by local natives.

The expedition starts at Schefferville where you will spend the first night at the Hotel Royal. You may get in to Schefferville by plane or take the Naskapis train from Sept Iles. It’s a 12 hour ride and what beautiful scenery of the nice Moisie River and hundreds of lake and more river you will admire on the way up. Once at Schefferville the group is picked up either the train station or airport and transported to the hotel. The next morning is the departure with a twin Otter a float plane for a 2 hour flight up to the Lodge. You will be greeted there by the staff and be served the best meal by the chef cook. Early the next morning is the departure for the 4 days and 3 nights expedition, sleeping outdoors in this wonderful setting. You will be guided by three local native guides and living their Indian Culture. The journey is aboard three 24 foot freighter canoes with 40 HP. turbo foot motors, three clients per canoe and the third canoe for the food and equipment. You will be fishing, eating shore lunches and sleeping in tents, you will be travelling
at an average of 85 to 90 km. a day. Don’t forget your cameras and there will be a lot of beautiful pictures to take and the wildlife to see.

This is a trip you will never forget and let me tell you the fishing is excellent.

Duck Hunting in Obedjiwan Quebec

Duck hunting in Obedjiwan Quebec

It was in de fall of 1964 I was a clerk for the Hudson’s Bay Company and living with the manager Clement and wife Helene.It was in late October and I had decided that I would go duck hunting and maybe get a couple of partridges at the same time.

I was up early around 5 o’clock had a good breakfast and packed a lunch. Yes my grandmother was not there to do that.It looked pretty cold and maybe some rain on the way. Got my packsack on, grabbed my 12 gauge pump gun, a Remington and on my way to a couple of lakes behind the reserve.

I had been walking for about an hour and nothing in sight. I had crossed a beaver dam and followed a small creek until I noticed a nice little lake and to my surprise about 400 yards from me I could see some Canada geese. They had their heads up and into the wind. So I did not move an inch, I said to myself I’ll wait until they put their heads down and start eating. I waited a good 15 minutes and they didn’t move at all so I waited another 5 and they started to move around and started eating, slowly I crawled a little closer to about 400 yards and I said to myself still too far. I was lucky that the wind was head on my direction. They were still eating and not worried
about me. I managed to crawl another 200 yards and I said not close enough yet I have to do another 150 yards, which I manage to do. The goose in front had its head up and looking around, she knew that something was wrong. They all started moving into the wind, up I got and fired away, I fired all 3 shots and got 3 big Canada Geese and let me tell you they were big, we call them the Great Canada Goose.

Pulled out a piece of rope tied them together and place them over my shoulder, they were pretty heavy. On my way back I saw a few partridges but did not shoot any, I had enough with these 3 honkers.

I had been gone for about 5 hours and back with 3 big Canada Geese and only shot 3 shots and did not even see a duck, but let me tell you it was a wonderful day.

Hunting up north of Kapuskasing 1958

It was in the fall of 1958 my cousin Denis and I had talked about going out hunting partridges, about 40 miles North West of Kapuskasing. We decided that it would be for a whole week in the bush. My brother Roger and a couple of our friends, Gilbert and his brother wanted to come along. We said no problem but everyone brings their food, sleeping bag and not to much because we may have a long walk in. We asked our aunt Lydia if she could drive us in. She said okay, when you guys are ready. We all had jobs gathering equipment, like pots and pans a few dishes a good size tent, packsacks, blankets for the ones that had no sleeping bags. Denis and I had each had a cooey 22 rifle and three boxes of short shells; that was enough for a week.

It was Saturday morning and everyone was ready at 6 0’clock and on our way we went with aunt Lydia. We left the main highway after fifteen minutes and took a bush road, my aunt drove up as far as she could go, and that was a good 40 miles. We asked her to have someone pick us up on Sunday, in 8 days.

We packed all we had on our backs and up the trail we went, looking for a river, creek or lake to set camp. About 30 minutes later we found the nicest little place to set up camp. Just beside a small river and lake with a beaver dam at the other end. After setting up camp we had hot dogs for lunch. Then we gathered all the wood we could fined, I said we may need to keep the fire going all night we may have wolves or a bear around. This seemed to scare the gang, just by thinking of the possibility it might happen.

Around noon Denis and I went out looking for partridges, we came back with 8 nice ruffle grouse, males and females. Roger asked can we go and have a look for partridges also, I said yes but stay close to the lake, maybe cross over the beaver dam. Away they went while Denis and I cleaned the partridges and then gathered up some more wood. My bother and the Carierres were back about an hour latter with their three partridges, I showed them how to clean and pluck them.

We got ready for supper and I asked everyone if they wanted to eat the partridges. No one answered and I asked again and looked at them and asked if anyone ate partridge before and they all said no and did not seem to want to. Okay we’ll all have fried baloney and everyone agreed. Baloney lots of ketchup and bread.We kept the fire lit up until we went to bed and that was around midnight, it was a bit chilly but a beautiful night with a lot of stars.

I was up at 6 o’clock the next morning got the fire going and water boiling a few burnt toast and good instant coffee; this made the others get up because of the smell. That day hunting was good, a few ruffle grouse. Also I gave them a course on how to set snares for rabbits; everyone had two snares set and could not wait until the next day. The next day we had three rabbits, Denis, Roger and I, the Carierres had better luck the next day, each catching one.

It was Wednesday and no more food left only a loaf of bread butter salt and pepper and coffee. I said for supper do you want partridges or rabbits, no one answered. Anyways I got a few forked sticks, one with a rabbit, put a little butter salt and pepper and placed it beside the fire to cook. Got 6 partridges placed them on the forked stick and did the same thing, put them to cook. As I turned them around a few times so they would not burn I pulled a piece of meat off the partridge and ate it, I said this is better than chicken that you eat at home. They were all looking at me, I said this is good. I tried a piece of the rabbit it was also great, I said you guy are just not hungry and you don’t know what your missing. Denis tried a piece of the partridge and another piece and said it’s better than chicken, they all tried it. Anyways to make this short we ate them all and cooked up a few more.

The next day we picked blueberries killed more partridges and a couple more rabbits and yes we ate that until Sunday when my father came to pick us up.I can tell you that they all enjoyed the trip and the experience of eating wild meat was never forgotten by all of us. Even up to today we a still love wild meat.

My first trip on the beautiful George River

All I can say about this river way up in Northern Quebec 175 miles north east of Schefferville and 75 miles east of Kuujjuaq. A beautiful river with 5 different kinds of fish. Atlantic salmon up to 30 lbs. artic char average size 8 to 15 lbs. Lake trout in-between 5 to 40 lbs, speckle trout nice and red from 1 to 6 lbs. and the white fish may go up to 5 lbs. The fishing is great from around the 20 th. of June. Even if the snow is still on the mountains and 2 feet of ice on each side of the river, the salmon are already on there way up.

The caribou herd which is called George River herd is over 750 thousand heads and when you see about 20 thousand moving together it’s like the mountain was moving. You may see 20 thousand heads once in a life time; usually what I’ve seen is herds of 30 to 100 and once in a while 500. When you see them in herds like this, their getting ready for their journey towards the south, getting ready for the rut and also where they will spend part or all winter.

Last September 2008 I was on the George River at Wedge Hills Lodge where I worked for the owner for a month and half. The reason I accepted to go up there was because one, I wanted to see for myself what it was like and two, I’m crazy about the nature, hunting and fishing. When we talk about work I had no specific job to do, but I ended up doing every thing. From water boy to mechanic to guide and even chef cook. I think that I fell in love with the place and I’m going back this summer for three months and even convinced my lovely wife Mado to come up as chef cook.

All the jobs were easy but one, as guide, not because I did not like it, because I was little bit scared or not to brave for my first trip up those rapids. The day I practised, with Jean Marc, the other all handyman. We left the Lodge which each a 24 foot freighter canoe and powered by a 40 horse power Yamaha turbo foot. I followed behind at about 100 feet, the first rapid 1000 feet long with waves up to three feet not to bad. But the next one that I was looking at and was already in it was huge swift and long, the waves at least 6 feet high, I looked at shore a few times and I was going backwards not moving up. I had to zigzag my way up and so did Jean Marc. After a few minutes we were up and on to the third and then the fourth which were like the first one. Jean Marc turned around and came to me and said you’re the best I’ve seen in awhile, your good and I told him I was scared as he…. We headed down the rapids back for the Lodge. When we past the last rapid just before the Lodge I waved to Jean Marc and made signs that I’m going back up alone. Back up the rapids I went and this was just to see if that scary feeling was gone. I went up 5 rapids and back down without a problem all was okay, I had done this a hundred times when I was young and it was all coming back.

Like I said I fell in love with this great and beautiful place and waiting for June to go back with my wife Mado.

Canada Geese Hunting On Marlborough Island

Canada Geese Hunting (honkers) with my Grandfather

We were at the beginning of November 1959, sitting at the super table talking about hunting, my grandparents and I. I happened to say I guess that the goose and duck hunts are pretty well over. My grandfather replied saying, weather like this, it was windy and snowing, this is the best time to go out and hunt honkers, the Great Canada Goose. If we get weather like this on the week-end Saturday or Sunday we’ll go out together. I said great that would be fun, he replied we have to dress up very warm and put a rain suit with that.

Saturday morning around 5 A.M. I was up and it looked like it would be good for geese hunting, grandpa and grandma were both getting up also. Grandfather said yes we’ll go this morning. We had a good breakfast and grandma packed us a good lunch and a couple of thermos of hot tea. Around 6:30 A.M. we were on our way with the 20 foot chestnut canoe and the 5 ½ H.P. Evinrude motor. We did not travel very fast, but we were not in a hurry we had all day. It was very cold the water from the waves was freezing on my rain suit and gloves. My grandfather was sitting in front and told me to slow down in the big waves because the canoe could break in half. Yes my grandfather was heavy a little over 300 lbs. As we approached Marlborough Island he said park the canoe on the north side, which I did. It was cold, snowing and the wind was up to 25 to 30 miles an hour. My grandfather and I looked like a block of ice, yes it was cold.

I got the ten decoys out of the canoe and set them up on the point. The decoys were a piece of wood round and the size of a goose’s body.It was burned until it was black and the neck and head was pushed on, the head was black with a little white. Then the legs were pushed on, these decoys were hand made by my grandfather. We then set the blind, which took about a 15 minutes, we were ready. The farthest I could see was about 200 to 300 feet, the weather was bad.

I could hear the honkers calling and seemed to be pretty close, I started the honk sound and they were coming straight for our decoys, 40 of them and man they were big. We both had double barrels 12 gauged shot guns. I could see them at about 200 feet and about 10 feet off the water. Grandfather said wait and don’t move their going to land on the ground. That’s what they did and about 30 feet away from us. We got up and both shot at the same time and re-loaded and shot again.I hit 5 and my grandfather had 6 so eleven in eight shots was good. We picked them up, they must have weighed a good 20 lbs. each. Grandfather said go and get some twigs with a “V” at the top, bring eleven of them. We took the eleven geese and put each a “V” twig to keep their heads up and set them with the other decoys. Got back in the blind and waited for the next flock.

We could hear the geese calling but could not see them, grandfather said probably on the other island, he told me call once in while, which I did. We could hear a flock calling and were pretty close, I kept on calling and they were getting closer. About 50 to 60 honkers straight for the decoys and around 20 feet off the water. They started turning into the wind and down they came. Grandfather said okay and up we were, 4 shots off loaded and shot again and I managed to shoot six shots. The last ones fell in the water and some on the ground very close to us, we picked up 15 big geese.

We waited for about an hour and very cold it was, we both ate a sandwich and had a good hot cup of tea. Grandfather said we should head back and I agreed. 26 Great Canada Geeses was a great hunt I said and thanked him for it.

My First Sowmobile Adventure

It was in January 1960, my uncle Doug said. come over and see what I just bought. It was a brand new snowmobile and Bombardier Skidoo. The one with the wooden skis and a Kooler moter. A four cycle seven and half horse power with oil in the base. What a machine I told my uncle, he said give it a try, which I did. Man what a machine I told myself. He said you wanted to go hunting ptarmigans on saturday you can take the skidoo.

Saturday morning I was up early and ready to go, breakfast was on the table and my packsack with my lunch was ready. Grandmother said becareful and don't drive to fast with that machine a accident can arrive quick and your alone so be very careful. Blackie and Whitie were barking at me, probably jealous because I was out with the skidoo and not them. I tied the packsack onto the skidoo and wrapped the rope around the fly wheel and cranked, I just about pulled my fingers off. Was that hard to pull and let me tell you it was -25* so I guess the oil in the base was like jello. After crancking the machine about 30 times it finally gave a sound that it might start,which it did after a few more pulls. My arms wanted to fall off. I strapped the 12 guage double barrel over my shoulder and hopped on the skidoo I was on my way hunting. I had been riding for about half an hour when I saw my first 15 ptarmingans. I managed to get 11 of them and another 8 later. As I was heading for home I noticed a black spot moving on the river, as I approched it look like a fox as I got closer it was a big wolf a timber wolf. It started to run but all that snow, I said to myself I have a chance to get it. If I try and cut him off and make him turn around and that's what I did, he started running back. I went around and cutted him off again, this went on for about 45 minutes until the wolf sat down with his tongue out. I got off the skidoo, put two shells into the double barrel and walked up to him, I say about 40 to 50 feet. I pulled both triggers and struck him right in the neck and down he went. I just about went down also with those two shots at the same time. I walked up to it slowly and ready to shoot again but it did not even move an inch. What a big and beautiful wolf it was, it was a good 5 feet long. It was a timber wolf, gray and white. I pulled it on to the skidoo, tied it and got on top of it and drove straight home. I was was in a hurry to show it to my grandparents.

They said that's a wonderful wolf and big. My grand father sold that pelt for $150. that was a lot of money in those days.

Snowmobile Adventure: March and April 2008

Hello all you snowmobile adventurers. I want to talk to you about a place called Lake Wachuwach (Wackwack). This Wedge Hills Lodge is situated up in New Quebec about 350 miles north of Sept Iles and 115 km. north west of Schefferville (paradise for hunting and fishing) A minimum of six people is required. You take the train from Sept Iles Qc. 12 hour ride up to Schefferville. A member of our personnel will welcome you upon arrival and will take you and family or friends to our hotel. The next morning a guide and cook with their snowmobiles will take you to this wonderful paradise for fishing big lake trout, even up to 25lbs. catchesare not rare and also setting rabbit snares. You will be riding up to date machines for 230 km. round trip, on beautiful white snow in a dream territory. In this surrounding you will have the pleasure of gliding on frozen lakes and exploring caribou country, a wonderful snowmobile adventure you will never forget. The stay at the lodge is four nights and the three meals a day served by our chef. If this interests you, family or friends and need more information, just E-mail me at wedgehills@yahoo.com and it will be a pleasure to answer all your questions. It would be a pleasure seeing you there. Fred.

The Caribous of Kawawachichamach

A few days ago I was on patrol near Kawawachichamach and I saw 27 caribous on the same road I patrol every day. As everyone does I informed the local radio station and let me tell you the snowmobiles were on their way. Also during the day if I did not see over 100 white partridges I did not see any at all. The ice fishing I’ve seen big speckle trout and huge lake trout. The lake trout are in the 20 lbs. and more. The native all have snowmobiles, for them it’s like a car is for someone living in the city. I find the native hard on themselves when it comes to facing the freezing weather. Today it’s -34 without the wind chill and the wind is a north wind and out on their snowmobiles dressed about normal. So chasing those caribous in-between 40 to 60 km. per hour. The cold temperature must be something like -70 *. But like I said their tough on themselves but they don’t seem to mind that, they go out and get their caribou when their passing.

Winter Caribou Hunting

Have any of you people tried this, hunting caribou in the winter time at -30* It's a lot of fun and you hunters, you should try this. It was in 2004 I was out hunting caribou with my buddy Guy. We left that morning around 7 AM. and it was pretty cold it was -30* no wind. Guy had his little Tundra and I had my Artic Cat 580 Pantera 1995. I had the big sled hooked up and away we went. We were heading for Lake Wachuach, this is 65 miles north of Schefferville. It's an outfitter camp and belongs to Wedge Hills Lodge, the owner Mr. Albert.

As we travelled along, crossed a couple of rivers and following the marked trail, things were going just great. After 2 hours of driving we stopped and had a good cup of coffee. The sun seemed to have warmed up the day and let me tell you it was beautiful, all those mountains and steep cliffs and lakes, for awhile I thought that I was on another planet, it's hard to explain how nice it is. As we were going through a portage we saw fresh caribou tracks and a lot of tracks.

We had stopped and I was saying to guy, they are very close maybe just ahead of us, I unhitch the sleigh. I think that we might have to run after them. Got on our snowmobiles, I was in front and away we went, as we got out of the portage and on to Lake Wachuwach. The herd was about half a mile ahead of us, they had stopped and were looking at us. I say that their must have been a couple of thousand heads. We stopped again and took the rifles out of our cases, loaded up, Guy had a 308 Browning with scope and I had a 32 special Winchester model 94 and no scope. It was easy and lite to carry along and I liked it. The caribous were still standing there and looking are way. I told Guy did you know that caribou run at 65 km. per hour. He said I know that they run pretty fast.

I told my buddy I don't want to chase them, do you see the point that comes out on the right side. He said yes, well I will go up on the mountain and come out just on the other side of that point. You wait here until you see me going down on the other side. Them you can head straight for the herd with your snowmobile. Guy said OK. I head back slowly on my trail and then went left to the mountain and followed it on the other side right up to the point. Stopped the snowmobile and walked to the point, I could hear the snowmobile and I saw the herd coming for the point. When the herd was close enough, about 1000 feet I aimed the big bull in front the leader, pulled the trigger and he stopped, I shot the next big one beside him and he stopped also. The whole herd had stopped, why because the leader was not moving. Guy shot his two big bulls also. It took about 10 minutes before my bulls fell to the ground. Out with the knife and did the job as fast as we could while those caribous were still warm. Went back and picked up the sled, got those 4 wonderful caribous abord and on our way back to Schefferville.

Do you know what? We did not even make to the hunting camp. What a wonderful day and if any of you want to experience a trip like this inbetween the 15th, Feb and the 15th, April 2008 just e-mail me. God bless you all.

My Dogs attacked by 3 Black Dogs

I received an invitation from my aunt Jackie and Uncle Roy, who lived in Moosonee, three miles From Moose Factory Island. She asked me if I would like some spaghetti and meat balls for supper tomorrow. It was Saturday and told myself I’ll take a break from the wood cutting. I decide to go over early so I harness up Blackie and Whity and as usual they were ready to go. Away we went for Moosonee, crossed Charles’s Island and they were running as fast as they could go. Tied up the two dogs went in and said hello to Aunt Jackie, she was washing the kitchen and living room floor. I said I’ll do that and even if you have some wax I’ll wax it to. Which I did and the floor was shinning aunt Jackie said the next time I want my floor washed and wax I’ll invite for spaghetti and meat balls every week-end. I answered anything for a meal like that. I spent a couple of hours after supper talking with both of them. It was around 10 PM. And it was time to go. Untied the dogs and we were on our way. Just as I started getting on to Charles’s Island and pretty dark it was, three dogs came out of the bushed and jumped on Blackie and Whitie and what a fight. I jumped off the sled, ran and started kicking the dogs with all I could give. They finally let go of my dogs and took off for the bush. I looked both dogs over and they seemed OK. After tying the dogs up and feeding them. I went in and told my grandfather about what happened and I said they were a pretty good size, and I had to kick a couple of them. I was wondering why those three dogs there were. He answered and said you were pretty lucky, you could have been attacked by those wolves. He said their young wolves and stays black until they become adults.

I would like to introduce...

I would like to introduce my wonderful wife Madeleine who gave me three wonderful children Bob, Gary and Melanie. Today is Melanie’s birthday and I still remember her first fish that she caught. She was going on to three years old, had her little fishing rod and reel. She caught a nice speckle trout about 1 lbs. When took the hook out she I want my trout and I gave it to her and she started kissing it on the head. She sure was happy and could not wait to show it to the others. Mado we call her, likes hunting and fishing when the weather is very nice let’s say. Today up in Schefferville Quebec, Canada we went out for walk and at the same time I said I’ll bring the 12 gauge along as there are a lot of white partridges around. So we got our snowmobile suits and big boots on, it was -30 and not with the factor wind or wind chill. I walked through the little village with my shot gun on my shoulder. Everyone is use to that here, it’s the paradise of hunting and fishing like I mentioned before. We were gone about an hour and a half and came back with 10 nice ptarmigans. They way I clean them is, I pluck the feathers off the breast, grab the wings and legs with one hand and grab the top of the breast with the other hand and pull. All that stays in your hand is the breast. You throw the rest away. We marinade it for about an hour. Then wrap it up in bacon and into the oven for about half an hour at 400F. Then serve it on a bed of wild rice. It’s a great meal… I mentioned a few episode back a place called Wedge Hills Lodge on the George River. This place is a hunter’s and fisherman’s dream, caribou, bear, salmon, char, lake and speckle trout. I will be getting into more details on that place later on in my stories.

The Dog Sled Race.

The race starts at 01: PM and have to be there for noon. That morning I took Blacky and Whity out for a short run and did not feed them any seal meat that morning. They were both in great shape; I knew that morning that no one could beat us. It was a beautiful sunny day and about -15. I put the harnesses on both dogs and yes I built a new sleigh out of broken hockey sticks that I had picked up here and there. It was a nice light sled and for racing. At noon we were already tide up on the side of the road and waiting. I was having problems with Blacky he was barking and trying to get to the other dogs, he wanted to fight not race. I tied his rope a little shorter to the fence post and my buddy Lloyd came and took care of him. They gave me number 13, for me it was a lucky number. The inscription was finished and we were 17 in the race. We were allowed 1 to 6 dogs, everyone had six dogs I was the only one with two dogs. The race was one and a quarter mile. The first runner did it in 6 minutes 15 seconds. I was the last one to run and the time I had to beat was 5 minutes 35 seconds. Lloyd helped me up to the starting line and we were having problems with Blacky, he wanted to jump on everything that was moving, not to bite them, he wanted to play and because of his size everyone who did not know him were scared. I managed to get going and on our way we were. Boy we were flying and the first corner that we turned I had to tip the sled on to one runner, if not the sled would have been cut in half by the steel pole that was there. About half I saw two dogs on the side of the road and I told myself oh no and it happened Blacky jump on one to fight with him. I got off the sled as fast as I could, grabbed Blacky by the ear and said no. (That’s the way I always made him listen to me and this ever since he was a pup. I just pulled his ear and he would stop.) On the way we were again and flying. I was on the last stretch, quarter mile and I could see the people, my friends jumping up and down. I knew that my time was good and maybe enough to beat 5 minutes 35 seconds. They were running straight for the crowd and I hope that Blacky does not jump on someone. As I pasted the finishing line Lloyd grabbed Blacky and said I think you won, I’m sure you won and yes we did my time was 4 minutes 20 seconds, what a race and I was proud. I the first prize in 1960 was $100. I kept $25. for me and bought dog food with the other $75.

Another Dog for me.

Yes I decided to adopt an albinos pure white husky it even had pink eyes. This dog had been following me home every day for the last week and I managed to touch him a few times. I asked my grandmother can I keep him. Maybe he belongs to someone in the village she said. I said I asked a lot of people and they said they never saw him before. I went out and fed him some seal meat. Blacky was just tide about 20 feet away and the next thing I knew Blacky broke his chain. What a fight and I decided to step in-between both of them. Whity I named him, grabbed me by the upper right arm, the two teeth marks are still there today. Lucky my grandmother came out and helped. She tied Blacky up and I tied Whity. I tied Whity so that him and Blackys were about a foot away, nose to nose and when I fed them they were a foot away. Well to make this short it took a couple of weeks for things to calm down or who would respect who and yes Blacky was the boss he was the leader. Let me tell you I had two great dogs. The dog race was in two weeks and every day we practised and this was one hour of intense running, none stop.

Getting Ready for the Dog Sled Race.

This was in Feb. 1960 and my dog Blacky really became a big and strong dog. I had a lot of offers for him, even tourists during the summer asked if I would sell him. A man and lady that summer offered me $500. for him. I went to see my grandfather and asked him if I should sell him. He said it’s your decision, All I can tell you is the dog will last a lot longer than $500. and I thought about that and said no to the lady and the man. At the age of 3 years old he was 180 lbs. and standing up on his hind legs was 6 feet. His jet black fur shined in the winter time, I guess it was because of the seal meet and fat I was feeding him. When I say he was strong, well that 45 gallon drums of water at first it was half full. Now it’s full and I get on the sled to and that mile no stop back to the house. Also that winter I was lumber jacking every week end. My grandfather was paying $6.00 a cord cut, third of a cord, split and piled. I said will you give me the same thing and he said yes. I did this for five years, with an axe and buck saw. While doing all this wood cutting I always carried the 22 rifle and a role of snare wire. So rabbits and partridges were always on the menu at home. We had time to do all that, in those days and this was all fun for me and my buddies

Fishing Trip up to French River, Feb. 1959

This was a long walk on snowshoes and I was happy I brought Blacky along. Uncle Howard his friend Charles and I were on our way to French River to fish for big speckle trout. We even brought our fishing rods. All this was tied on the sleigh with our packsack and axe. Blacky was ready to go, I had tied a long rope to the back of the sled, this was to slow him down once in a while. This snowshoe walk was 24 miles return. It was very cold that morning at 5 o’clock and around the -35 but no wind. All you could here was crispy and crunch sound from under our snowshoes and the sled runners. We stopped once after two hours, to have a good drink of hot coffee and Blacky was eating snow. We arrived at French River at 9:30 and to my surprise the river was not frozen and the banks on the side were about 10 feet high. I told my uncle, I thought that we were going to fish on the ice, but guess that’s not it. He said no we are going to cast from the side and be very careful on the side that it does not break or you slip in. My uncle gave the first cast and he had one and it was giving him a good fight, I was just watching and a good 10 minutes to bring it to him without loosing it, because it’s out of the water for about 20 feet before you get it to you. We caught a reasonable amount in 6 hours fishing and all big ones, 4 to 5 lbs. The wind had picked up and that looked like storm coming in. Blacky started jumping and barking and wanted to go. Darkness had set in pretty fast. We tied everything on to the sleigh, put our snowshoes on, grabbed the rope and said hike Blacky. After an hour of walking we stopped and talked, we could not see a thing, and the snow was burning our eyes. We did know where we were and the only thing to do is was to follow Blacky, he was our guide. I remember looking at my watch and saw 10 o’clock that was at night, we had been walking for 6 hours and no sign of the village.

We stopped for a drink of coffee that was left. My uncle looked tired; I told get on the sled, Blacky will pull you for awhile, which he did. Then Charles did the same thing and I did also. Looked at my watch it was 2 o’clock and still no sign of the village. We all took turns on the sled and Blacky had no trouble with that. As I was going along 3 o’clock in the morning and I had school that Monday. The storm was so bad that we past in front of the village and did not even see it, that’s where my uncle his friend live, I live at the end of the island. Well let me tell when we saw the house we were happy and the lights were on also a Bombardier snowmobile parked in front. Yes a search party was ready to leave as soon as it was day light. They were all happy to see us safe and sound. I gave Blacky a great big hug and told him he was a good dog, so did my uncle and his friend Charles.

Ice Fishing in the middle of November 1958

It was around the 15 th. Of November Jud, Barry and I decided to go ice fishing at Maidmens Creek that’s an 8 mile walk return. Grandmother said the ice is not frozen all over, you have to be careful where you walk, not to fall threw the ice. My grandfather said, go and get 6 big nails in the shed, 6 inch ones and bring the roll of twine also. Which I did, then cut me three pieces of twine about 6 feet long. He tied a nail at each end of the rope or twine. When you put your coats on, put the nail and twine into each sleeve before putting it on. That’s what we all did, and he I hope it doesn’t happen but if it do fall through the ice, this will help you get out of the water and onto the ice. All you do is grab the nails and use them to pick into the ice and pull yourself along. We all understood and away we went for Maidmens Creek, pack sacks on our back, chisel and axe. The walk was great and in know time we were there. We made a couple of holes each, set in our lines that were baited with small pieces of salt pork. The speckle trout that we caught were all about the same size, one to one and half lbs and a lot of them, little to shy to say who many, our pack sacks were full.

Fall 1958 Geese Hunting.

My first trip up to Hannah Bay, goose hunting with uncle George and cousin Martin. During the summer I had a little practise with the 12 gauge, Stevens, double barrel. I fell on my rear end with the first shot and yes my right shoulder was blue the next day. Hannah Bay is on the east coast of James Bay, about 30 miles from Moose Factory. It was the Labour Day week-end and my uncle George said we will pick you around three o’clock to-morrow morning. Three o’clock that morning I was on the side of the river waiting for them. It was still dark. I had my grandfather’s double barrel shot gun and two boxes of shells, Canuck number 4 heavy load. I was ready for those geese. Uncle George had a 23 foot freighter Chestnut with a 18 hp. Evinrude motor, it was a big canoe. It was pretty chilly going up there that morning. As we entered the James Bay for my first time, I said holy smokes you can’t even see the other side (shoreline) it was like the sea it was big, I guess that’s why my uncle has a big canoe. As we entered Hannah Bay which also was a big bay and landed on shore my uncle George said we will have to wait for awhile. We cannot leave the canoe here, we have to bring it closer to those bushes, I said, that’s over a mile away. Do we have to drag the canoe up there? Uncle said that’s a good three miles away and no we don’t have to drag the canoe; the tide will bring us there. The land is flat; they call it the Hannah Bay flats. When the tide is low all the birds ducks and geese come out to feed. When the tide or water flows in they all fly back inland. So what we do is set up a blind with branches and mud. My decoys then were white toilet paper with a twig with a “V” at the end and this was the head with the toilet paper wrapped around it. Took out my little shovel out of my pack sack, turned the lump of mud over and stuck the branch in it. Yes this was my decoy, made about 20 of them. I got settle in my blind and all I had to do is wait for them too come. At about a mile away I could see about two thousand geese on the ground. My uncle and cousin had set up a blind about a half a mile from me, yes I was alone and that I liked. I forgot we set up the tent over the canoe and slept in the canoe. That’s the way they do it because you will never find a dry spot to set up camp. Oh I think that the geese are moving around, yes there’s a canoe coming up. The flocks of geese took off and heading my way, at least two thousand. Off to my right they were going, I started calling them and some started turning for me. I pulled the shells out of the box and laid them in front of me, this way I will be able to load faster I told myself. They were over me and I started to shoot I could see some falling, I loaded up and fired again and a couple fell. Loaded up and shot again and again some fell, I don’t think that I was even aiming. After calming down I went out and picked up 9 geese. Out of 9 only one was wounded, which I managed to catch without shooting it. This was a great week-end hunting geese and ducks. The total bagged that week-end was 26 geese 12 ducks. I killed 4 ducks and 17 geese, was I proud, when I got home and showed them to my grand parents.